Mountfitchet House

Updated 31 August 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 1 inspector, a professional specialist advisor with a background in nursing 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

Mountfitchet House 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. Mountfitchet House is a care home with 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 the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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 used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We also spoke with 6 people and 3 relatives about their experience of the care provided.

We spoke with 9 members of staff including the registered manager, clinical lead, nurses, and care staff. We also received feedback from 2 healthcare professionals who have regular contact with the service.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 6 people’s care plans, multiple medicines records, 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision and a variety of records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 31 August 2023

About the service

Mountfitchet House is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 60 people. The service provides support to older people and people with nursing care needs, some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 58 people using the service.

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

Staff were provided with training relevant to their role; however, we found safe moving and positioning practices were not always being followed. People’s care was not always provided in line with their care plan guidance and preferences. The provider’s induction programme did not always evidence how staff who were new to care learnt the required knowledge and skills.

Staff were safely recruited, with relevant checks completed prior to them starting work and there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs.

We received mixed feedback about the quality and variety of food and drink provided. However, people and relatives confirmed this was improving. The service was well equipped and adapted to suit people’s needs. People told us they were supported to take part in different social activities, although some people said they would like more opportunities to go out and a wider range of in-house activities.

The provider had processes in place for monitoring the safety and quality of the service and sought regular feedback from people and those important to them in order to identify and action areas of improvement. Risks to people’s safety were assessed and documented; however information was not always fully updated as people’s needs changed.

People’s medicines were managed safely by staff who were trained to administer them. Staff followed safe infection prevention and control practices and the service was clean and well maintained. Staff were aware of how to recognise and raise safeguarding concerns. People and their relatives felt comfortable making complaints or raising any issues with the registered manager.

People spoke positively about the kind and caring attitude of the staff. 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 and those important to them were involved in the care planning and review process.

The provider worked in partnership with other healthcare professionals to meet people’s needs and adapt promptly to any changes in their health. People, relatives, and staff spoke positively about the culture and leadership of the service. The provider had built strong links within the local area, enabling people to feel involved in their community.

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 outstanding (published 20 September 2018)

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to the management of safeguarding concerns and complaints, the management of medicines and whether care was being provided in line with people’s preferences. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. However, we have found some evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the Effective section of this full report.

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.

Follow up

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