Mulberry Care Limited

Updated 18 November 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

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors 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

Mulberry Care Limited 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.

At the time of inspection, the service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission however, the new home manager had submitted an application to register. They will be referred to as the home manager throughout this report. This means that the provider is 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 held about the service, including notifications received from the provider. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with seven staff including the home manager, operations manager, deputy manager and care staff. We spoke with four people who use the service and six relatives about their experience and the care provided.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medicine records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We contacted two professionals who regularly visit the service.

Updated 18 November 2021

About the service

Mulberry Care Limited is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to people aged 65 and over who may also live with dementia. Mulberry Care Limited accommodates 35 people across two separate wings, each of which has separate adapted facilities. At the time of inspection, 22 people were living at the service.

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

People knew how to raise concerns and they felt they would be listened to. People felt that staff were caring. An activity coordinator had recently started at Mulberry Care Limited and regular activities had been made available for people to take part in if they wished to.

The service had ensured that medicines were stored and given to people safely. People’s risks assessments were clearly written and gave clear instructions to staff meaning that people were less likely to suffer harm. Regular maintenance checks of the home were undertaken. People had personalised evacuation protocols in place in the event of an emergency. Effective infection prevention control measures were in place to keep staff and people safe.

People’s care was individualised in order to best meet their needs and stimulating social activities enriched the quality of their lives. Care plans were person centred and included the input of the relevant person. 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.

A small number of people in the home lived with a learning disability and needed some additional support with communication and managing anxiety. The provider was working at ensuring that their care plans and communication support was developed in accordance with national best practice guidance.

The service had an open and transparent way of working to ensure the safety of the people living at the service. The provider was able to demonstrate that quality assurance systems had improved to ensure the quality of the service was maintained. People felt there were enough staff at the home and felt safe living there. There was a positive culture amongst staff at the service. Staff knew people they supported well and cared about their wellbeing. The provider was able to demonstrate their compliance with legal obligations and any learning from incidents or accidents was undertaken effectively.

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 good (published 6 April 2018).

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.