Background to this inspection
Updated
16 December 2022
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was completed by two inspectors.
Service and service type
Middlefields House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Middlefields House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service and the service provider. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at the notifications we had received for this service. Notifications are information about important events the service is required to send us by law. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with eight people and two relatives to gather their views about the care they received.
We looked at six people’s care records. We checked recruitment, training and supervision records for staff and looked at a range of records about how the service was managed. We also spoke with the registered manager, general manager, deputy manager and seven care and support staff.
We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.
Updated
16 December 2022
About the service
Middlefields House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 48 people, some of whom live with dementia. People live in one of four ‘households’ in one purpose-built building. At the time of our inspection there were 42 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe at Middlefields House. The provider had good systems to manage any risks people faced and help keep them safe. People were supported to take any medicines they had been prescribed.
There were enough staff available. Staff had a good understanding of people’s needs and how to meet them. New staff were thoroughly checked before starting work in the home and given a good induction. Staff completed regular training to ensure they maintained their knowledge and skills.
There were good infection prevention and control procedures. Procedures had been reviewed and updated to reflect the COVID-19 pandemic. Systems were in place to prevent visitors catching and spreading infections.
People were treated with kindness and were positive about the caring attitude of staff. We observed staff interacting with people in a kind and respectful way, responding promptly to requests for support.
Staff demonstrated a good understanding of people’s individual needs and a commitment to provide person-centred care. Staff worked with health and social care specialists where needed to develop plans to support people. People were supported to see their doctor and other health professionals when needed.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People were able to take part in a wide range of social and cultural activities and supported to maintain contact with friends and family. The service is set up ‘For those sympathetic to the Christian faith’ and people were supported to attend religious services, prayer groups and bible readings where they wanted to.
People had been supported to develop care plans that were specific to them. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of these plans and how to meet people’s needs.
There were effective management systems in place to monitor how the service was operating and plan any improvements that were needed.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 2 August 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.