Archived: Millbrook Care Centre

Updated 20 April 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 coronavirus 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 7 April 2021 and was announced.

Updated 20 April 2021

This inspection was unannounced and took place on the 30 April 2018.

Millbrook Care Centre is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection.

Millbrook Care Centre is a large detached property which provides accommodation for up to 46 older people. The accommodation is situated over two floors with lift access. At the time of this inspection there were 28 people living in the home.

We last carried out a comprehensive inspection of this service on 25 and 26 October 2016. At that inspection we found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act (HSCA) 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This was because medicines were not managed effectively.

We also found that improvements needed to be made to the quality assurance processes in place in the home and to how the provider notified CQC of important incidents.

Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to tell us what they intended to do and by when to improve the key questions is the service safe and well led to at least good.

During this inspection we found the required improvements had been made.

Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as prescribed.

There was a robust system of quality assurance in place. Weekly, monthly and annual checks and audits were carried out by the registered manager and other managers of the service. These were used to assess, monitor and review the service.

The service had notified CQC of any accidents, deaths, serious incidents and safeguarding allegations as they are required to do.

The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

People were positive about the registered manager and the way the home was organised and managed. Staff told us they enjoyed working at the home and felt supported.

Staff were aware of their responsibilities in protecting people from abuse and were able to demonstrate their understanding of the procedure to follow so that people were kept safe.

Individual and environmental risk assessments gave staff guidance on how to minimise and manage identified risks. Health and safety checks had been carried out and equipment was maintained and serviced appropriately.

The home was decorated and furnished to a high standard and was well maintained.

Recruitment procedures were in place which ensured staff were safely recruited. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and staff received the training, support and supervisions they needed to carry out their roles effectively.

People had their nutritional needs met and had access to a range of health care professionals.

The requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were being met. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People and their visitors spoke positively about the care and kindness shown by staff. One person said, “Staff are absolutely wonderful.” During the inspection we found that staff had a good understanding of people’s likes and preferences. Staff knew people well and understood individual’s care needs. Interactions were polite and friendly. Staff offered assistance in a sensitive and unhurried manner.

Care records contained risk assessments and care plans that were person centred, detailed and written using respectful terms. People told us they were involved in decisions about their care and support.

There was a range of activities on offer at the home and in the wider community. People told us there were sufficient activities for them to join in.

People who used the service felt they were listened to and were involved in developing the service. There was a system for recording and dealing with any complaints.

The provider had displayed the CQC rating and report from the last inspection on their website and in the home.