• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Melrose House

41 Muswell Avenue, London, N10 2EH (020) 8444 8483

Provided and run by:
R Ford

All Inspections

20 June 2014

During a routine inspection

An inspector carried out a planned inspection and gathered evidence against the outcomes we looked at to help answer our five key questions; 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, discussions with people using the service, their relatives, the staff supporting them and looking at records. If you wish to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

People told us they were treated with respect and dignity by the staff. We observed people being supported appropriately and sensitively by staff. People told us they felt safe. We saw that sufficient staff were available to deliver people's care needs and they received the training they needed to provide appropriate care and support. The manager lived adjacent to the service and was always available in case of emergencies.

We found that people's medicines were handled safely and appropriately in line with guidance. Records were accurately maintained, which meant the risk of people receiving unsafe care was minimised.

People had been cared for in an environment that was safe, clean and hygienic.

Is the service well led?

People we spoke with, staff and most relatives were positive about the management of the service. Staff told us they felt supported by the manager.

Is the service effective?

People's health and care needs were assessed with them. We saw evidence to show they were always involved in writing and agreeing their care plans. Specialist dietary and healthcare needs had been identified in care plans where required. People we spoke with and their relatives told us they received the support they needed.

Visitors confirmed that they were able to see people in private and that visiting times were flexible.

Is the service responsive?

We saw there was an effective complaints procedure was in place. A relative told us, 'The manager is very responsive to any concerns I may have. He always listens and takes time to discuss things with us.'

Is the service caring?

We observed that people were supported by kind and attentive staff. We saw that staff showed patience and gave encouragement when supporting people. One person told us, 'They (the staff) are like my family.' A relative told us, 'The staff really do care about people and they know what people want and need.'

25 April 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with four people who lived in the home and we spoke with two members of staff, the manager and deputy manager, who provide care to people who used the service. One person told us "I like living in this place" and another person told us "I feel safe". We looked at six care plans and risk assessments which were up to date and reflected the needs and preferences of people who used the service.

We observed very positive interactions between the staff and people. We saw people being supported to do activities in the home and in the local community.

The staff received regular supervision and had access to relevant training, including safeguarding awareness.

We saw that the home had systems to make sure they were checking on their own performance levels and make improvements where necessary. All the feedback we saw from family and other professionals was very positive. A care manager described the home as "homely" and an advocate wrote in the comments book "the place has a very homely, relaxed feel to it".

31 May 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke to four people. They told us that they liked living at Melrose House and that it was a good place to live. They said that the staff were nice and would help them whenever possible. For example, one person told us that 'they will do this, that and the other for you. They are always offering to do things for you.'

People told us that they liked the food and that they got to eat things that they wanted. They also told us that they could do the things that they like to do. People gave the following examples of what they did: 'I like to go to the park and walk around'; 'I like knitting'; 'I like to have a bath.' One person told us that they liked be

ing independent.