Archived: Miranda House

A registered nurse told us that the 'atmosphere is much improved, we've got rid of routines'. They told us that now the home worked round what people want, not the home's routines, people were more awake, had improved appetites and some people were walking better. The described a person who had been cared for mainly in bed, who now got up for part of each day. The person would now talk occasionally and they were eating better, especially when they were given finger foods and could feed themselves.

Another person told us 'the food's good, if you don't like one choice, there's always another, when you don't like that, I have jam sandwiches'.

We observed a person with dementia who managed to slip out of the main door, following a relative, who was leaving. A care worker noticed this at once and supported the person in returning to the building. The person gave all the appearance of being very pleased to be back in an environment that they knew. A different person told us 'I feel very safe here'

We observed a registered nurse giving a person a liquid medication slowly and carefully, helping the person to take small sips. The registered nurse praised the person in a kindly manner when they had taken all the medication.

We observed that people with dementia care needs who needed support or assistance were left in one sitting room for 10 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon with no staff in attendance. On each occasion some residents showed distress or agitation and their needs were not met. They were also not protected from the affects of each others' behaviour.

We observed that some staff were not implementing the home's policies and procedures on lifting people safely, reporting deficits in equipment and staffing levels to management and addressing people by their own preferred name. This meant that some peoples' needs may not have been met.