The Mead

Updated 7 December 2017

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 was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2012, to look at the overall quality of the service and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection was carried out on 9 November 2017 by two inspectors and one expert by experience. An expert by experience is someone with personal experience of having used a similar service or who has cared for someone who has used this type of care service.

The inspection was unannounced. Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that requires them to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also reviewed, information we held about the service including statutory notifications. Statutory notifications include information about important events which the provider is required to send us.

During the inspection, we spoke with ten people who lived at the home, three relatives, five staff members, the registered manager, regional manager, deputy manager, care team manager and the housekeeper manager. We looked at care plans relating to three people and five staff files and a range of other relevant documents relating to how the service operated. These included monitoring data, training records, complaints and compliments.

Updated 7 December 2017

The Mead 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 home accommodates up to 60 people in one adapted building some of whom live with dementia. There are two floors; each floor was divided in to two separate units. Each unit can accommodate up to 15 people. Three of the units are for people who live with dementia and one residential unit.

At the last inspection the service was rated good. At this inspection we found that the service remained good.

People we spoke with felt safe living at The Mead. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Safe recruitment practices were followed to ensure staff were of good character and suitable to work in this type of service. Risks to people were reviewed and managed appropriately. Medicines were managed safely by staff who received the appropriate training. There were suitable arrangements for the safe storage and management of people’s medicines.

Staff received induction, training, and development to carry out their role effectively. People were offered daily choices and their views about the care they received were sought. The service met the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People`s nutritional and hydration needs were managed effectively. People had access to health care professionals and were supported to attend appointments.

Staff developed good relationships with people and promoted people’s dignity, respect and encouraged their independence. People had regular meetings and daily opportunities to participate in activities. People and their relatives where appropriate were involved in their care.

People felt supported and received personalised care that met their individual needs. People had appropriate support and encouragement to access meaningful activities and follow their individual interests and one to one activities were also provided. Care plans had clear guidance for staff to ensure people’s support needs were met.

The registered manager promoted an open, transparent and inclusive culture within the service. People and staff were encouraged to have their say to improve the way the service operated. There were quality assurance systems in place and shortfalls identified were resolved to improve the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.