Simon Marks Court

Updated 2 April 2025

Date of assessment: 9 April 2025 when we first visited the location site. We conducted a further site visit on 16 April 2025 the medicines inspector visited on 10 April 2025 and assessment activity concluded on 22 April 2025. This service is a residential care home for older people, some who may be living with dementia. At the time of our assessment, 37 people lived at Simon Marks Court. 

The home had a well maintained and tastefully decorated environment and grounds that were used by people, their friends, and relatives. There was a positive culture and atmosphere at the home and visitors were welcomed with no restrictions. Staff were kind and caring and keen to promote people’s independence. People’s food and fluid needs were met and people told us they enjoyed the food. Care plans were person centred, and medicines administered safely. Risk assessments were in place and regularly reviewed.

Staff recruitment processes meant staff were suitable for their roles and supported people safely. Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding processes and respected people’s wishes. Where people were unable to make their own decisions, they were supported in-line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The management team were knowledgeable and understood the responsibilities of their roles. They had quality assurance systems in place to ensure oversight of the service.

Staffing numbers ensured people’s physical and emotional needs were being fully met. The manager had implemented a manual spot check to gain some oversight into call bell waiting times. However, call bell audits were not being undertaken prior to our first visit, due to the system not having this facility, this was rectified by our second visit and an audit had been undertaken this evidenced that most call bells were answered in a timely manner. this meant that it was difficult to assess if call were being answered in a timely manner, feedback from people living at the home and relatives confirmed that staff usually attend promptly.

The service was previously in breach of the legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment and good governance. Improvements were found at this assessment and the service was no longer in breach of these regulations.

Updated 2 April 2025

When gathering people’s views, we spoke with people and their relatives, reviewed written complaints and compliments, looked at feedback from surveys and minutes of meetings. We also conducted observations of people and staff using our ‘short observational framework for inspection’ (SOFI).

People told us they felt safe and spoke positively about the quality of care. They felt staff were kind and respectful and treated them well, upholding their dignity. People’s rights were respected and consent sought. People felt able to complain or make suggestions, People felt listened to and that improvements following complaints were made.

People told us they had access to various ways of spending their time such as trips out, quizzes, gardening, chatting to staff and looking at books, singers also came in. We received mixed feedback from people who used the service with some people feeling there was not always enough staff which impacted on their waiting times for receiving support with personal care, medicines or being able to use the toilet. People also felt this meant staff were unable to simply sit and chat with them. People told us, “There’s not always enough staff to meet my needs. I asked to be woken up this morning at 7.30 as it’s not good for me to be lying in bed but they let me sleep until 8.30.” and “There’s nearly always enough staff on duty.” A relative said, “There’s enough staff, people are really well looked after, and nothing seems to be too much trouble. [Staff] have really have time for people, will ask you how you are.”

People were positive about the food on offer and felt the variety of food was good with alternative menu options offered. Menus were regularly reviewed.