Archived: Mellor Nook

Updated 8 September 2018

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 unannounced inspection was conducted by one adult social care inspector on the 24 August 2018.

Before this inspection, we reviewed notifications that we had received from and about the service. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We reviewed the Provider Information Record (PIR) before the inspection. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, and tells us what the service does well and the improvements they plan to make. We used this information to help plan the inspection. We also checked with the local authority commissioning and safeguarding teams. They informed us that they did not have any concerns about Mellor Nook and were satisfied with the level of care provided.

We spoke with four people who used the service, four relatives, two managers, the cook, the activities coordinator and three care staff members. We also spoke to a health and social care professional that visited the service.

We observed interactions between staff and the people living at the service. We reviewed care records and risk management plans for four people who lived at the service, and checked other records relating to people's support plans which included medicines administration records to ensure these were accurate and completed correctly. We looked at a range of staff files and the training records for all the staff employed at the service to ensure that staff training was up to date. We also reviewed additional information on how the quality of the service was monitored and managed.

Updated 8 September 2018

Mellor Nook is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. We regulate both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Mellor Nook is located in the small town of Mellor in Stockport. The home provides care and accommodation for up to 15 older people. Bedrooms are situated on the ground floor and first floor of the home. Access between floors is via a stair lift and staircase. Eleven bedrooms have an en-suite toilet. The building is situated in its own grounds with secure gardens and off-road parking. At the time of our inspection 13 people were living at Mellor Nook Residential Care Home.

This unannounced inspection was conducted by one adult social care inspector from the Care Quality Commission on the 24 August 2018.

At our last inspection in November 2015 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

The provider is required to have a registered manager as part of their conditions of registration. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. At the time of our inspection, the service was in the process of appointing a new registered manager.

People said staff treated them with kindness and compassion. Comments included, "They are very kind, I feel safe and cared for," and "They are kind, considerate and available if you need assistance."

Staff knew people's care needs, preferences, personal histories and backgrounds. People said staff protected their privacy and their dignity was respected. People were supported to be independent.

People received care from staff who were appropriately trained to effectively carry out their job roles. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. The service acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act (2005). People's nutritional needs were met and they were supported to maintain good health and receive ongoing healthcare support.

Staff were aware of their responsibilities to safeguard people from abuse. Safe recruitment practices were in place and the service followed national and local safeguarding guidance. There were sufficient staff to care for people. Risks to people's safety were assessed and medicines were administered safely.

People received personalised care that met their individual needs. People were given appropriate support and encouragement to access meaningful activities and follow their individual interests.

We found that records written in a positive and respectful way we found that records provided guidance on how to support people.

Mellor Nook had arrangements in place to receive feedback from people that used the service, their relatives, external stakeholders and staff members about the services provided.

We found that records were sufficiently maintained and effective systems in place to monitor the quality of the service.