Millfield

Updated 26 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.

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 was carried out by 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.

Millfield 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. Millfield 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. Inspection activity started on 5 September 2023 and ended on 15 September 2023. We visited the service on 5 and 13 September 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We gathered feedback from the local authority and Healthwatch Oldham. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. 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 around the home and observed how staff interacted with people. We also observed the lunchtime meal. We spoke with 6 people who used the service and 3 relatives about their experience of the care. We also spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, the chef, a team leader and 3 care assistants. We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 people’s care records, medicine administration records and 3 staff recruitment files. A variety of other records relating to the management of the service were also considered as part of the inspection. These included audits, training and supervision records and checks of the equipment.

Updated 26 September 2023

About the service

Millfield is a purpose-built residential care home situated in the Waterhead area of Oldham. The service is registered to provide care for 37 people. At the time of our inspection there were 35 people living at the home.

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

People and relatives were complimentary about the service and were very happy with the care and support given at Millfield. There were effective safeguarding systems in place and safeguarding concerns were managed appropriately. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to reporting safeguarding concerns. Although we received mixed comments from people and relatives there were sufficient staff to provide care and support to people promptly and attentively. Staff had been safely recruited. Medicines were generally well-managed. Some minor concerns found on inspection were dealt with promptly. The home was clean and well-maintained, and staff followed good infection control practices.

Staff supported people with their healthcare needs and worked well with external healthcare professionals. The management team supported staff well and staff had the right skills and knowledge to meet their people's needs effectively. Food was of a high quality, with plenty of choice. The home was decorated and maintained to a very high standard and provided a very pleasant environment. 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.

Staff were kind and caring, respected people's privacy and dignity and promoted their independence. The service provided a range of activities for people to take part in.

The home was well managed with effective quality assurance processes in place. The registered manager and staff promoted a positive culture in the home; people’s care was person-centred.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 6 August 2018).

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.