Background to this inspection
Updated
7 January 2022
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 by one inspector, a nurse specialist 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
Meadowside is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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 had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that 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 our inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the home which included statutory notifications and safeguarding alerts and the Provider Information Return (PIR), which the provider completed before the inspection. The 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.
During our inspection we spoke with the registered manager, the chef and four support staff. We looked at six care records and three staff files; we looked at various documents relating to the management of the service which included medical records, infection control and quality assurance records. We also spoke to eight people who used the service and three relatives . After the inspection we continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training and customer feedback data and additional quality assurance records.
Updated
7 January 2022
About the service
Meadowside is a care home for older people with dementia and physical frailty. The home has 68 beds split into six flats on three floors; each floor has its own dining area and lounge. On the day we inspected there were 50 people living in the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives told us they felt people living at the service were safe. Staff and management knew how to identify potential signs of abuse and how to escalate concerns to keep people safe. Accidents and incidents were reviewed by management to ensure they were dealt with safely and prevent reoccurrences.
Recruitment processes and procedures were safe.
Risks identified with people’s health, medical and care needs had been assessed and documented with clear guidance on how to minimise the identified risk to keep people safe.
People received their medicines safely and as prescribed.
There were enough staff to meet people's needs.
The home was clean and odour free. There were increased infection control measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The provider reacted appropriately to keep people safe.
Staff received the training and support to carry out their role effectively. Care staff told us that they felt that the management team was very supportive especially during the recent months of the pandemic.
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 satisfied with the food provided at the home and the support they received in relation to nutrition and hydration.
There was a positive culture throughout the service which focused on providing care that was personalised. The management team used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. They were aware of their regulatory responsibilities associated with their role.
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 inspection was Good published on 23 November 2017.
Why we inspected
We carried out a focused inspection of this service on 29 November 2021. This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe, Effective and Well Led as we were mindful of the impact and added pressures of Covid-19 pandemic on the service.
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 us inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information, we may inspect sooner.