The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Millstream House

4 Mill Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent, ME2 3BT (01634) 299970

Provided and run by:
Evesleigh (Kent) Limited

All Inspections

22 August 2013

During a routine inspection

We found that people or their representatives had been involved in decision making and giving their consent for care and treatment. When people were unable to give consent decisions were made in their best interest following good practice guidelines and the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People we spoke with were complimentary about the care and support they received. They told us that they were happy living in the home and that they felt well cared and safe. Comments included, 'Staff are diamonds here' and 'I love it here the staff are so good to me'.

We observed that staff treated people with dignity and respect and responded to people's individual needs.

We noted that there were some communication difficulties and as such have made a comment that the provider may find useful to note.

People were offered choices at every meal time and could choose where they ate their meals. We saw that people were given the assistance they needed to eat and drink in a sensitive and discreet way.

The recruitment procedures at the service were sufficiently robust to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people living there.

There were adequate staff on duty to meet the needs of the people who lived in the home.

People knew who to talk to if they had any concerns about the service and were confident they would be dealt with.

Management and maintenance of records had improved which meant people's personal confidential information was kept securely.

22 February 2013

During a routine inspection

We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people who used the service. Many of the people had complex needs including communication difficulties which meant they were not always able to tell us about their experiences. We were able to talk to two people and observed how people interacted with staff.

We saw that staff knew the people who lived in the home and understood abut their daily care needs. We saw that they interacted well and were patient and understanding. People we spoke to said that they liked the staff.

People were supported to make daily living choices, but there was a lack of understanding about people's capacity to give consent and make complex decisions.

Records did not always protect people's rights and best interests and promote continuity of care.

Staff received training and supervision. There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty, but they were not always deployed in accordance with the homes assessments of people needs.

The home was clean and there were suitable systems in place to reduce the risk of any infection. People lived in safe accessible surroundings that promoted their well being.

People were asked for their views and were able to give their opinions on the home.

25 July 2011

During a routine inspection

Many of the people who lived at the home had difficulty communicating due to their individual specialist needs. However we were able to talk with three people and observe how other people received their care and support from staff.

People we spoke with said they felt well cared for by staff and were given the help they needed. One person told us that they were very happy living at the home and said, 'The staff are really good'. Another person said 'It's the best home I've been in' but also told us 'It's better than it was'. One person told us they were involved in setting up their care plan. People we spoke with said they liked their rooms and that the food was very good.

We saw that people were being helped around the home by staff and supported in a sensitive way. We observed that when people were assisted with their lunch, staff sat next to them and chatted with people whilst helping them eat and drink, so making this a social occasion.