Background to this inspection
Updated
30 January 2019
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This comprehensive inspection took place on 9 January 2019 and was unannounced.
The inspection team consisted of an adult social care inspector 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.
Before our inspection we reviewed the information we held about the home. This included the Provider Information Return (PIR). A PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also looked at the notifications and other intelligence the Care Quality Commission had received about the home. We contacted the Infection Prevention and Control team and the Commissioning team at the local authority to see if they had any updates about the home. We received feedback from two health and social care professionals who had worked with the registered manager and staff in the home. Both gave very positive feedback regarding the high level of care at Melrose Court.
During the inspection we spoke with seven people who were living at the home and three relatives/visitors. We spoke with a total of five staff, including the registered manager and the cook.
We looked at the care records for two people living at the home, three staff personnel files, staff training records, staff duty rosters and records relevant to the quality monitoring of the service. We looked round the home, including people’s bedrooms, the kitchen, bathrooms, dining area and lounges. We spent time with people during lunch.
Updated
30 January 2019
Melrose Court Rest Home is registered for 21 older people with a range of needs. It is situated close to the centre of Southport which can be accessed via nearby public transport. Accommodation is provided over three floors. The home has three double rooms and eight of the 18 rooms have en-suite facilities. A passenger lift provides access throughout the home. Bathrooms and toilets are provided with equipment to assist with bathing.
At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
Everyone who lived in the home said they felt safe. There were robust measures in place to ensure people were safe. Risk assessments were in place for areas such as pressure care, safe environment, falls and mobility, and nutrition and hydration.
There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people's needs. Staff rotas showed a consistent number of staff were on duty each day. People told us call bells were answered within a reasonable time.
Staff had been appropriately recruited to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable adults. We found that staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to support people effectively and safely. Staff were supported by the home manager through regular supervisions, annual appraisal and regular training. Staff had attended training in subjects such as first aid, fire safety, food safety, moving and handling, infection control, safeguarding and medication. New staff were required to complete an induction. Staff meetings were held regularly.
Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as prescribed. Staff had been trained to administer medicines to ensure errors were kept to a minimum.
The home was very clean and there were no odours. The home was well maintained and in good decorative order. People's bedrooms were personalised and were decorated and furnished to a high standard.
Regular checks and tests, such as gas, electricity, water safety, fire drills, fire alarm tests and external checks of firefighting equipment, were completed to maintain safety in the home.
People's needs were assessed and reviewed regularly to reflect their current health and support needs. People were supported to maintain healthy lives; records showed that people were supported to attend medical appointments.
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. We saw clear evidence of staff working effectively to deliver positive outcomes for people.
People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet and meet their dietary requirements. Drinks were offered throughout the day to ensure people's hydration needs were met. Staff understood people's individual nutrition and hydration needs and we saw that meals were provided accordingly.
Everyone living in the home was very complementary about the attitude of the staff and the way they were treated. Staff showed kindness towards the people in the home. It was clear from the banter and laughter that people were comfortable with staff and enjoyed their support.
Staff supported people to make decisions about their care, support and treatment. Staff showed a good understanding of people's likes and dislikes and preferred routines. This information was recorded in people's care records.
People and their family members were involved in the planning of their care and family members kept up to date with matters relating to their relative's health and welfare.
There was a complaints policy in place, which was displayed in the home. No complaints had been made since the last inspection.
Activities were planned each day and took place each morning and afternoon.
Quality assurance audits were completed by the registered manager and senior care staff which included, medication and health and safety.
People living in the home met each month with their key workers to provide any feedback about the home and any issues they had. There was a process completed annually where their relatives had the opportunity to voice their opinions about the service.
There was a caring, person-centred, and open culture in the home. The registered manager and registered provider met their legal requirements with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They had submitted notifications and the ratings from the last inspection were clearly displayed in the home and on their website.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.