Mercy Care Centre

Updated 7 October 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

The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and an Expert by Experience. This is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Mercy Care Centre is a ‘care home’ without nursing care. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and we looked at both during this inspection.

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

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 the last inspection. 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. 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 of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

Inspection activity started on 13 September 2023 and ended on 22 September 2023. We visited the service location on 13 September 2023.

We spoke with 17 people who used the service and 10 members of staff including 2 deputy managers, 4 care assistants, the cook, 2 member of housekeeping and the maintenance person. The registered manager was not on duty on the day of the inspection.

We completed observations of care in communal areas. We reviewed a range of records including 5 people's care records, food and fluid charts and other monitoring records. We also reviewed a range of medication administration records, 4 staff recruitment files and records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at staff training records and a variety of audits.

Updated 7 October 2023

About the service

Mercy Care Centre is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 50 people. The service provides support to younger and older adults, people with sensory or physical impairment, mental health diagnosis and dementia. Mercy Care Centre accommodates people over 2 floors. On the ground floor is Mount Carmel that provides residential care to people. Beaumont House supports people with dementia and is provided on the ground floor and first floor. At the time of our inspection there were 47 people in total using the service.

Mercy Care Centre also has an on onsite extra care facility of 18 flats, known as Kinsale Court. The support provided to people at Kinsale Court, is managed by independent care providers that are employed directly by people living in the flats. Therefore, we did not include the extra care facility in the inspection. However, the provider remains registered to provide this facility and we advised them to remove this from their registration if it is no longer required.

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

People were protected from the risk of harm as staff knew the procedure to follow to report concerns. Assessments were completed and followed as staff had guidance to support people safely and records were up to date and completed. The home was cleaned to a good standard and well maintained and free from environmental risks. Medicines were managed safely, and people received their medicines as prescribed. Staff were recruited safely, and there was enough staff deployed at the service to ensure people’s needs were met.

People were supported by trained staff. Where needed, people were supported to eat and drink. Where people were at risk of risk of malnutrition and dehydration this was monitored, and referrals made to the relevant healthcare professionals. People were supported to access health care services.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People’s equality and diversity was fully respected. People were supported by kind and compassionate staff who understood what was important to them. People told us staff treated them with kindness and respect. People were encouraged and supported to express their views.

People received personalised support tailored to meet their needs and preferences. People were supported to choose and engage in activities of their preference. Complaints were used to improve people’s experience of care and support. People were supported in a sensitive way to share their wishes in regard to end of life care and support.

People, relatives, and staff were encouraged to feedback into the running of the service. The provider and registered manager worked alongside partner agencies to enhance the support provided to people.