This inspection took place on 2 and 3 September 2015. It was unannounced.
Milton Ernest Hall Care Home is registered to provide a service for up to 29 people, who may have a range of nursing and care needs, including old age and physical disabilities. During this inspection, 24 people were living in the home. The home had four double rooms which were all occupied by a single person.
A registered manager was in post. 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.
Staff had been trained to recognise signs of potential abuse and keep people safe. People felt safe living at the service.
Processes were in place to manage identifiable risks within the service, and ensure people did not have their freedom unnecessarily restricted.
There were sufficient numbers of staff who had the right skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs.
The provider carried out proper recruitment checks on new staff to make sure they were suitable to work at the service.
Systems were in place to ensure people’s daily medicines were managed in a safe way, and that they got their medication when they needed it.
Staff had received training to carry out their roles and meet people’s assessed needs.
We found that the service worked to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 key principles, which meant that people’s consent was sought in line with legislation and guidance.
People had enough to eat and drink. Assistance was provided to those who needed help with eating and drinking, in a discreet and helpful manner.
People’s healthcare needs were met. The service had developed positive working relationships with external healthcare professionals to ensure effective arrangements were in place to meet people’s healthcare needs.
Staff were motivated and provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They treated people with kindness and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity at all times.
We saw that people were given regular opportunities to express their views on the service they received and to be actively involved in making decisions about their care and support.
People’s social needs were provided for and they were given opportunities to participate in meaningful activities.
A complaints procedure had been developed to let people know how to raise concerns about the service if they needed to.
There were effective management and leadership arrangements in place.
Systems were also in place to monitor the quality of the service provided and drive continuous improvement.