Montana Residential Home

Updated 9 January 2024

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection team consisted of 2 inspectors and an 'expert by experience'. An 'expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Montana Residential Home is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered manager

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 comprehensive inspection took place on 25 September 2023 and was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since they 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 looked at the care records of 5 people in detail to check they were receiving their care as planned. We also looked at other records including 3 staff recruitment files, training records, meeting minutes, medication records and quality assurance records. We spoke with 7 people who live at the service, 5 members of care staff, and the registered manager. We spoke with relatives of 2 people currently living in the service. After our visit we were contacted by a further 9 relatives and family members all wanting to share their positive experiences of the home. We also had contact with 1 healthcare professional to seek their feedback.

We also observed how staff interacted with people living in the care home more generally.

Following the inspection visit we requested some documents electronically. These included quality assurance checks, and records relating to the running of the service.

Updated 9 January 2024

About the service.

Montana Residential Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 19 older people some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 16 people using the service. The service is set over one floor and is in the village of Great Barton on the edge of the town of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. The service is run by the Benedictine Sisters of our Lady of Grace and Compassion with Nuns residing in the adjoining convent. However, the service provides care to people all faiths.

Montana Residential Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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

People continued to experience outstanding service, receiving exceptionally personalised care and support which they were in control of. There was a strong ethos within the home of treating people as individuals and with respect. People were at the forefront of their care. A relative explained, “They always treated my [relative] with respect and dignity and did everything that they could to ensure that they were comfortable and had enough mental stimulation. This was particularly important as they were always of sound mind, though their disabilities and frailty limited them physically”. Activities were planned by staff and volunteers who worked closely with people to establish their individual and unique preferences.

People's individual religious and spiritual wellbeing were exceptionally well supported. The development of technology within the home had enabled people to partake in the daily catholic mass from their rooms as this was televised from the homes on site chapel.

The care people received at the end of their lives was exemplary. Staff were passionate about providing the best, most compassionate and respectful end of life care to people and demonstrated that all people who lived and died at the home mattered and were important. A relative explained that due to the unique set up on the day their relative died they were able to receive the sacrament of the sick and their wishes were, “Respected and carried out to the letter.” This included the requiem mass and wake being held at Montana.

People's medicines were very well managed. This had been enhanced since our last visit with the introduction of an electronic system that had safety systems built in. People received their medicines safely and as prescribed.

People received support and treatment from health professionals when needed. The relationships that had been fostered benefitted people as they received good access and support to healthcare. No one ever attended a health appointment alone.

The consistent presence of staff to meet people’s needs in a timely and responsive manner ensured people were always safe and their needs met. A relative told us that their loved one, “Is in very safe hands where they are treated as one of the family with dignity and respect.”

Staff were provided with regular training and were supported by their colleagues and the registered manager to do their jobs effectively. Staff fitness to work at Montana had been thoroughly assessed.

People enjoyed the food provided. A relative said of the food; “Nutritious and freshly prepared by the cook who went to great lengths to ensure that it was to [relatives] liking. Food was specially prepared when they had difficulty swallowing. The care team always provided unhurried support in helping to eat meals”.

The registered manager continued to be highly visible and approachable and enabled and empowered staff to deliver high quality care and to seek advice from them if needed. The registered manager had excellent knowledge of the home and the people living there in order to ensure that people had their preferences met.

Staff displayed they delivered exceptional care, compassion and empathy that showed all people mattered and were important. People who used the service commended the outstanding quality of care they received. A health and social care professional fed back; “I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional service you provided to customers. Thank you for going above and beyond to make a difference.”

The provider, Grace and Compassion Benedictines, is a Catholic organisation and the home is connected to a convent however all are welcomed regardless of their faith or background. The staff team was made up of Nuns (Sisters with the Grace and Compassion Benedictine) and 'lay' staff. When we refer to care staff in the report, we are referring to both the Nuns and the care staff.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was outstanding (published 07 July 2018).

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection to check whether the service was continuing to provide an outstanding rated service to people due to the age of the last rating.

The overall rating for the service remains outstanding. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Montana Residential Home at www.cqc.org.uk.

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. If we receive any concerning information, we may inspect sooner.