Millington Springs

Updated 7 August 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

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

This inspection was carried out by two inspectors, a Specialist Advisor who specialised 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

Millington Springs 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.

At the time of the inspection the service did not have a registered manager. The home manager was currently in the process of applying to become registered. This means that, when registered, they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

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 and Healthwatch. 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 all of this information to plan our inspection.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

Whilst on site, we spoke with six people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the nominated individual, the manager, the clinical lead, senior care assistants, the cook and the head housekeeper. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records this included six people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management and safety of the service were reviewed.

Following the day on site we reviewed records we had requested electronically, these included policies and procedures. We sought feedback from healthcare professionals who regularly visit the service. We spoke with two further members of staff and three relatives over the telephone.

Updated 7 August 2021

About the service

Millington Springs accommodates up to 42 people in one building over two floors. At the time of our inspection there were 14 people living at the service, some of whom were living with dementia.

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

Since the last inspection, the service had made significant improvements which reflected positively on people’s experience. The management acknowledged there were still further improvements to be made. People, their relatives and staff felt listened to and engaged with the service.

People felt safe when receiving support. People’s risks were assessed and managed well. Staff were trained to support people with specific needs. People were supported to take their medicines in a safe way.

People’s needs had been assessed and care was delivered in line with current guidance and law. People could choose what they preferred to eat, and staff were attentive to their hydration needs. People had been consulted when it came to how to decorate their own bedrooms and had access to outside space.

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 were cared for by kind and thoughtful staff who paid attention to little details to ensure people’s comfort. People felt their wishes were respected and were treated with dignity.

People’s plans of care were personalised and contained information that guided staff to provide individualised support that met people’s needs and preferences. People were supported to maintain relationships that were important to them and were encouraged to participate in activities. People knew how to raise concerns they might have, and these had been dealt with promptly.

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 inadequate (published 06 April 2021) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

This service has been in Special Measures since 06 April 2021. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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 until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.