Millbrook Care Centre

Updated 23 September 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

This inspection was completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Millbrook Care Centre is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Millbrook Care Centre is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was first registered with CQC. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We reviewed staffing levels and walked around the building to ensure it was clean and a safe place for people to live. We observed how staff supported people and provided care.

We spoke with 6 people who use the service, 7 relatives and 12 members of staff, including the registered manager, care workers, and auxiliary staff.

We reviewed a range of records including 4 people's care records. We looked at 4 staff files in relation to recruitment, training and support. We reviewed 4 people’s medicine administration records and looked at medicines related documentation and management arrangements. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were examined.

Updated 23 September 2023

About the service

Millbrook Care Centre is a large, detached property which provides accommodation for up to 46 older people. The accommodation is situated over two floors with lift access. At the time of this inspection there were 44 people living in the home

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Staff were recruited in line with safer recruitment processes and there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Risks were assessed and environmental checks and maintenance were completed. The home was clean and tidy, and staff followed good infection protection and control processes. The registered manager analysed events such as accidents and incidents to ensure lessons were learnt and reduce future risk. Medicines were securely stored, and people received their medicine as they needed. A small number of staff had competency assessments which were out of date, this was immediately addressed during the inspection.

People’s needs were fully assessed and referrals to relevant services were made where additional needs were identified. Any advice given was followed by staff. People received the support they needed to eat and drink well. Staff felt well supported and received all the training needed to undertake their roles. People’s capacity was assessed and where needed best interest decisions made, and appropriate legal authorisation requested where restrictions were needed.

People were supported by kind and caring staff. Staff knew people well. Dignity and privacy were consistently considered and people were encouraged to remain as independent as possible.

The care delivered was personalised to people’s needs and people and families were actively involved in developing and reviewing care plans. People were supported by wellbeing workers to engage in activities, and trips to the local community were arranged. Complaints and concerns were investigated and learning shared. People who were approaching end of life had clear plans of support, and the necessary paperwork and medicines were in place to ensure people remained comfortable.

People knew the registered manager and felt confident to discuss any concern with them. There were a range of systems for people and their families to provide feedback and engage in the service. People felt the service provided personalised care and families were very happy with the care provided. Systems were in place to check the quality of the service, and action was taken where areas of improvement were identified.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 27 August 2021 and this is the first inspection under this provider.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.