The Meadow

Updated 6 October 2017

This inspection took place on 5 and 7 September 2017 and it was unannounced.

Prior to our inspection, we reviewed information we held about the service, including previous reports and notifications sent to us at the Care Quality Commission. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. We contacted the local authority about their views of the quality of care delivered by the service. We looked at the information sent to us by the provider in the Provider Information Return, this is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors and two experts by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

During the inspection, we spoke with 14 people using the service, eight relatives, the registered manager, the regional manager, the deputy manager, two senior care staff, two care staff, one chef and a cook, a housekeeping staff and a volunteer. We spent time observing interactions between people and the staff who were supporting them in the shared areas including medicines administration, breakfast and lunch time, and in their bedroom with people's prior permission. We reviewed seven people’s care plans and risk assessments, and 15 people's medicines administration records and care records, and six staff files including their recruitment, training and supervision records and one month's staff rota.

We looked at accidents, complaints and safeguarding records, staff meeting minutes, residents' meeting notes, quality audits and monitoring checks. We reviewed the documents that were provided by the service on our request after the inspection including policies and procedures, commissioners’ monitoring report, survey results and activities details.

Updated 6 October 2017

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People told us they felt safe living at the service. The service appropriately assessed and mitigated risks involved in supporting people and provided safe care. Staff had a good understanding of risks to people and how to safeguard people against abuse and poor care. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s individual needs, and people and staff were happy with the staffing levels. The service followed safe medicines management, accurate medicines administration records and met infection prevention control and health and safety requirements.

Safe recruitment procedures were being followed to ensure people were supported by staff who were suitably vetted before starting work. Staff received regular support and supervision and relevant training to enable them to do their jobs effectively. People were happy with the food, and their nutrition and hydration needs were met.

The service operated within the legal framework of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People received personalised care from staff who were aware of their likes and dislikes, respected their privacy and treated them with dignity. Staff supported people to remain as independent as they could by encouraging them to carry out any activities they were able to.

People’s cultural, religious and spiritual needs were acknowledged and supported when required. The registered manager updated staff on people’s changing needs and were responsive to those needs and recorded them in their care plans. People’s care plans were person-centred and included information on their life stories, individual needs and preferences.

The service maintained robust and effective systems and processes, and carried out regular monitoring checks and audits to identify gaps and areas of improvement to ensure the quality and safety of the service delivery.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.