Background to this inspection
Updated
25 December 2020
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.
This was a targeted inspection due to concerns we identified about infection control with regard to Covid-19.
Inspection team
The inspection was conducted by one inspector.
Service and service type
Mercury House 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.
The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. There had not been a registered manager since September 2019. The new manager had been recruited from within the staff team so was familiar with the service. The manager was in the process of applying to register.
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 used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with the manager about infection prevention and control procedures.
After the inspection
We spoke further with the manager and conducted telephone calls with two staff and a health and social care professional who supported staff working at the home.
Updated
25 December 2020
About the service:
Mercury House is a residential care home that was providing personal and accommodation for up to three people living with a learning disability or autism.
People’s experience of using this service:
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support in the following ways:
¿ People received a service that was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.
¿ The service had the characteristics of a good service in all areas.
¿ Systems were in place to keep people safe.
¿ People’s needs were met by suitable numbers of staff who knew them well.
¿ People received their medicines as prescribed.
¿ People were protected from the risk of infection.
¿ People were involved in meal planning and were supported to assist with cooking.
¿ People were treated with kindness and respect and staff spoke fondly about them.
¿ People’s privacy and dignity was respected.
¿ People received personalised care which was responsive to their individual needs.
¿ People enjoyed a range of activities which they chose to do.
¿ People had support plans in place which covered a range of information about their social histories, preferences and support needs.
¿ The provider had a complaints procedure in place.
¿ The registered manager and provider involved people in the management of the service by putting them central to any decisions.
Rating at last inspection:
At our last inspection (report published 5 April 2018) we rated the service as Requires Improvement.
Why we inspected:
This was a planned comprehensive inspection.
Follow up:
We did not identify any concerns at this inspection. We will therefore re-inspect this service within the published timeframe for services rated good. We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk