Archived: Moormead Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

A visiting area had been created to allow safe face to face for people and their relatives.

New admissions to the home required a negative test and 14 day isolation period.

Staff had been well trained and followed robust PPE [personal protective equipment] protocols.

We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines as a designated care setting

Due to the layout and size of the building, social distancing was difficult. However, staff had takens steps that supported people with social distancing where ever possible. The management were aware of zoning guidelines but did not need to implement it as no people were Covid-19 confirmed or suspected in this location.

The provider ensured there was a sufficient stock of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the vetted supplier ensured it complied with the quality standards. Staff had infection control training and understood the correct donning and doffing procedure.

People were supported by a stable and committed team of staff whom they knew well. This helped people to recognize the individual staff with the need to wear face masks. Staff were well supported and praised the management team, comments included; "I really enjoy coming to work. I am well supported and looked after, we all are.” The provider considered risks and impact of the inspection on the individual staff members, this included around their health conditions as well as their caring responsibilities.

Additional cleaning schedules had been introduced to reflect additional tasks such as cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. Regular audits took place which led to improvements and safety. For example, the purchase of new, easier to clean furniture for the whole home.

Regular testing for Covid-19 was conducted for both people living at the service and the staff. There was a comprehensive contingency plan what to do in case of an outbreak.

The provider ensured people's relatives were able to stay in touch with people. For example, by using technology and through safe, face to face visits in an adapted shielded room.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Moormead Care Home is a nursing care home registered to provide accommodation for up to 21 people. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection'. On the day of our inspection, 19 people were being supported and one person was in hospital. The care home is located in Wroughton near Swindon. The service had been registered in March 2000 and is privately owned.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At the previous inspection in 2016 the service was rated Good overall. At this inspection we found the service had remained Good overall.

People and their relatives complimented the compassionate nature of staff and told us staff were caring. On the day of our inspection we saw examples of kind and compassionate interactions that demonstrated staff knew people well. People's dignity, privacy and confidentiality were respected.

People told us they were safe. Staff knew what to do if they had safeguarding concerns and were aware of the provider's whistle blowing policy. People were supported by sufficient staff to keep them safe and the provider ensured safe recruitment practices were followed. Staff training was ongoing and the records confirmed staff received supervisions.

People's care plans contained risk assessments that covered areas such as falls, mobility or nutrition. Where people were at risk, their records outlined management plans on how to keep them safe.

People's medicines were stored securely and administered safely by trained staff.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported to maintain good health and access health professionals when required.

People were complimentary about the food, and they were provided with choices at every meal.

People were assessed prior to coming to live at Moormead Care Home and people told us staff knew them well.

People's care files gave details of the level of support required and people's wishes and choices. These also contained information about people's personal histories, medical information, their likes and dislikes.

Information on how to complain was available to people and the provider had a complaints policy in place.

The registered manager ensured various audits were being carried out, where improvements were identified we found evidence that these had been carried out.

We saw that the service had an established and stable team that worked cohesively, supported each other and were well-supported by the registered manager. All staff we spoke to were committed to putting the needs of people first and providing a homely environment for people.

Moormead Care Home is a nursing home providing nursing care for up to 21 people. On the day of our inspection, 19 people were being supported and one person was in hospital. The care home is located in Wroughton near Swindon. The service has been operating at this location since January 2011 and is privately owned.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The atmosphere when we arrived was friendly with staff cheerfully greeting us. Staff training was taking place in the lounge so people were being cared for in their rooms that day. However, we were able to observe and meet with people and their relatives during the day so we could see how staff interacted with people using the service. A number of visitors were present during the day and the atmosphere was warm, friendly and welcoming.

People and their relatives spoke highly of the staff and described how they felt cared for. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and people received prompt responses to any calls for assistance. The service had safe and appropriate recruitment processes to ensure staff were suitable to care for people.

People were safe. Staff were knowledgable about safeguarding and could describe their responsibilities and roles in relation to safeguarding. Staff had received regular training to make sure they stayed up to date with recognising and reporting safety concerns. The service had systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities where concerns were identified.

People had been assessed for risks, such as losing weight and assessments were in place to monitor and reduce these risks. Staff were aware of people’s needs and followed guidance to keep them safe. People received their medicine as prescribed.

Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and applied its principles in their work. The MCA protects the rights of people who may not be able to make particular decisions themselves. However, their knowledge was not always evident in records. The registered manager was knowledgeable about the MCA and how to ensure the rights of people who lacked capacity were protected. Where restrictions were in place for people these had been legally authorised and people were supported in the least restrictive way.

People told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken if they raised a concern. The service had systems to assess the quality of the service provided. Systems were in place that ensured people were protected against the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care.

Staff spoke very highly about the support they received from the registered manager. Staff supervision and meetings were scheduled as were annual appraisals. Staff told us the registered manager was approachable and there was a good level of communication within the service.

People told us the service was friendly, responsive and well managed. People knew the registered manager and staff and spoke positively about them.

We found that care plans and assessments were in place and that these were reviewed and updated on a regular basis. People's health needs were being monitored and documented. Any increasing needs were being identified.

People were provided with a varied diet. People who lived in the home we spoke with told us the food was of good quality. The home ensured that nutritional needs were assessed and that concerns were acted upon.

Medication was being safely administered in the home.

The home was clean and hygienic and being well maintained on an ongoing basis. Staff received training in infection control.

The home had sufficient staff on duty to meet people's needs.

We reviewed the care plans of ten people using the service and found evidence that there were procedures in place to ensure appropriate assessment and that consent was gained in relation to the care provided for them. We saw that care plans clearly identified the needs of the person and included information on how their care was to be delivered. Three people told us "I am always treated well and staff know what I like".

Other people told us they felt safe living at the home. We observed care and support delivered with warmth and kindness. People were treated well and the home was centred around them.