The Marshes

Updated 8 May 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 08 April 2021 and was announced.

Updated 8 May 2021

The Marshes is a residential care home for up to six people and there were five people using the service at the time of our inspection. People living at The Marshes needed support with personal care, mobility, health, behavioural and communication needs. Accommodation was on ground floor only and the building had been specifically designed to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

People’s experience of using this service:

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support. People were supported to make choices in all areas of daily living from choosing clothes to wear to what they wanted to do. There were regular opportunities to use local facilities and amenities and people had equipment that enabled them gain new skills and to increase their independence in whatever way they could.

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 supported this practice.

There were good recruitment procedures and enough staff on each shift to meet people’s needs. Staff understood what they needed to do to protect people from the risk of abuse. Incidents and accidents were well managed. People’s medicines were managed safely.

The organisation’s training programme ensured that staff were given regular opportunities to update their knowledge and skills and staff competency in areas of medicines and moving and handling were assessed on a regular basis. Supervision meetings were held regularly, and staff told us they felt very well supported by the management of the home.

People were supported to attend a range of health appointments, such as the GP or dentist and they also attended appointments for specialist advice and support when needed. People had enough to eat and drink, and menus were varied and well balanced. A visiting professional told us, “I have never felt that any patient has not been given the attention desired.”

Staff were passionate about the care they provided and demonstrated a caring and respectful approach with people. Most of the staff had worked in the home a long time and had a good understanding of people as individuals, their needs and interests. People needed support with communication and whilst they were not able to tell us their experiences, we observed that they were happy and content in their surroundings and relaxed with staff.

People were supported to take part in activities to meet their individual needs and wishes. This included trips to the local parks, theatres, cafes and restaurants, trips to places of interest and college. Entertainers provided musical entertainment and we observed one of these. This activity was lively and inclusive, and people were observed to really enjoy the activity.

The environment was well maintained. The bathroom and shower room had recently been refurbished. The provider had ensured safety checks had been carried out and all equipment had been serviced. Fire safety checks on equipment were all up to date.

Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection the service was rated good. (The last inspection was published 8 January 2016).

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

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.