Mount Elton Nursing Home

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Staff always treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity. Staff treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect.People told us staff were caring. A person said, “Staff are very good, very helpful. They are all very pleasant.” A relative said, “We are thrilled with the home, the staff are very kind and caring.”Some people could not directly tell us about their experiences, which meant we spent time observing interactions with staff. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI), a structured observation tool to help us understand their experience and assess whether they received good care. These observations showed staff were responsive to people’s needs and treated people with kindness, respect and dignity. A health professional said, “[Name of staff member] is brilliant, she sings with them. Distracts the person." We highlighted to the registered manager information in care plans did not detail how people’s privacy and dignity was maintained when they shared a room. The registered manager said this would be addressed.

The provider treated people as individuals and made sure people’s care, support and treatment met people’s needs and preferences. They took account of people’s strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics. Care plans gave information about people’s interests and hobbies. People’s cultural and religious needs were considered. A person said, “If you want to go to Church, they will take you.” Communion had recently been arranged for another person who had requested this. People were supported to participate and celebrate in religious festivals and events. Family and friends could visit people at any time. A relative said, “I can turn up whenever I like.”

The provider promoted people’s independence, so people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing. People told us they were encouraged and supported to maintain their independence. A person said, “They enable you to be as independent as you want to be.” Another person said, “I am assisted in the bathroom. They encourage people to do things for themselves.” People were involved in activities of their choice. We received positive feedback about how the activities coordinator managed small group and individual activities for people. A person said, “[Name of staff member] is very good, she plays rummy with me.” Another person told us, “[Name of staff member] is excellent,” in organising activities. We observed people involved in craft making, exercises and quizzes. We highlighted to the registered manager where consideration of the environment could support people further in promoting their independence within the service, as detailed in the safe environment section.

The provider listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. Staff responded to people’s needs in the moment and acted to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress. We observed staff attending to people’s needs promptly. Staff were aware of people’s needs and supported where appropriate. For example, a member of staff noticed a person could not reach their drink and went to assist. Staff knew how people communicated and expressed their needs. Staff were patient with people, allowing people to take their time to respond. For example, when choosing a hot drink. People who were cared for in their rooms were regularly checked. A person said, “[Staff] respond well to the call bell.”

The provider cared about and promoted the wellbeing of their staff and supported and enabled staff to always deliver person-centred care. Staff told us they were supported in their well-being and in maintaining a positive work and personal life balance. Staff said they enjoyed working at the service, felt valued in their work and were part of an effective team. A staff member said, “I like working here. The home is warm, friendly, inviting and social. I feel very supported.” The service had several staff members who had worked for the service for a long time.