Croft Meadow is a 60 bedded nursing home, registered to provide nursing or personal care for up to 60 people. At the time of our visit, there were 57 people living at this location. The accommodation is divided into three areas ' the top floor provides care for people with dementia, the middle floor provides nursing care to people with a range of care needs and the ground floor provides care and support to older, frail people.Our inspection team comprised an inspector and a nurse specialist. We considered our inspection findings to answer questions we always ask: Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led?
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, their relatives, the staff supporting them and from looking at records.
If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary, please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
People's diversity, values and human rights were respected. We observed care being offered to people. Staff were seen to be supportive in a manner that was individual to the person's needs, respectful and maintained people's dignity, privacy and independence. We saw that staff were knowledgeable about people's needs and preferences.
We saw that potential risks to people were appropriately assessed and planned for. The service routinely screened for risks associated with mobility, falls, medication and environment. These risk assessments were reviewed regularly to determine if any changes had occurred. There were instructions for staff on how to reduce risks to people in these care areas.
Staff told us that they used personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect against infection. We saw that staff wore blue aprons for kitchen duties and assisting people to eat their meals and white aprons and disposable gloves to deliver personal care. We talked with people who used the service and asked for their views. One person told us that they did not see the cleaning staff as their room was cleaned when they were out. However, they confirmed that they thought their room was clean and described it as, 'very good'.
Medicines were stored safely. We saw that all medicines were either kept in a locked cupboard or trolley within a dedicated, temperature controlled storage room. We looked at the records relating to the recording of the administration of medicines (MAR) charts. We saw that the MAR charts were completed correctly and entries were signed off by the team leader or registered nurse as medicines were administered.
CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. While no applications have needed to be submitted, proper policies and procedures were in place. Relevant staff have been trained to understand when an application should be made and how to submit one.
Is the service effective?
Where they were able, people expressed their views and were involved in making decisions about their care and treatment. One person told us that they could get up independently, usually at 7.00 am and that they liked to have breakfast before getting washed and dressed. They told us that the staff always treated them with respect and, 'Yes, they always knock' on the door before entering. We spoke with two other people who used the service. They told us that they were fully involved in all aspects of their care and that staff treated them with respect and dignity.
In the care records we saw, people's capability had been assessed. For example, in what ways they were fully independent and what level of support might be needed, from a verbal prompt and light assistance to full assistance.
Is the service caring?
We sat near a table where two people were being supported to eat their lunch and we observed that they were offered food in a relaxed manner and could eat at their own pace. We saw that one person was offered another plate so that they could separate the food they did not like from food that they wanted to eat. We observed one person being encouraged to eat by staff who said, 'Is it nice?' At one point, the same member of staff had to break off helping this person as another person was in distress at the next table. We saw the staff member reassuring the person in distress, then returning to the table. On their return, they apologised for leaving them in the middle of the meal.
We spoke with a relative who was visiting and they confirmed that their family member was always treated with respect and dignity. They told us that their relative enjoyed helping out and would push the laundry trolley around the corridor, supported by staff. They told us that it was, 'Always nice and relaxed here'.
Is the service responsive?
It was apparent that a lot of thought had been given to caring for people who had a wide range of care and support needs and that provision had been planned accordingly. The environment at Court Meadow was homely and had a relaxed feel.
Thought had also been given as to how to create an interesting environment for people receiving care in bed. For example, articles relating to one person's particular interests were suspended from the ceiling above their bed. This meant that an interesting environment had been created so that people could interact with their surroundings.
Is the service well-led?
The manager told us that they undertook monthly internal audits at Croft Meadow and we were shown the records that evidenced this. We saw that these audits covered a range of areas, for example, that people's care plans had been reviewed and updated on a monthly basis. The audit then recorded which member of staff was responsible for which action.
At the time of our visit, we 'sat in' on a residents and relatives' meeting. We were told these were organised on a monthly basis and saw the minutes that evidenced this. Items under discussion included outings in the summer and staffing. One person was concerned about the staffing levels as they thought the staff were always busy. The manager said that staff could move flexibly between floors and that additional staff could be brought in, as required. Another person said, 'Staff are wonderful'. A relative said, 'I've found here that nothing needs to be a problem.