Middleton Manor Care Centre

Updated 13 January 2026

Assessment activity started on 10 February 2026 and ended on 3 March 2026.

Middleton Manor Care Centre is a care home providing nursing and residential care to up to 83 adults who may be living with dementia, sensory impairments, mental health conditions or physical conditions. At the time of the assessment, there were 34 people living at the service. There are 2 floors to the service, providing nursing and residential care. This responsive assessment was carried out to follow up on breaches of regulation identified at our previous assessment. We had also been made aware of ongoing concerns by other external stakeholders. Our visit was unannounced.

The provider was previously in breach of legal regulations. This included safe care and treatment including medicines management, managing risks to people and the environment and infection prevention and control. They were also in breach of regulations relating to safe staffing, person-centred care and good governance. Sufficient improvement in these areas was not found at this assessment, and the provider remained in breach of these regulations. We also found additional breaches of regulation in relation to dignity and respect and failure to display rating.

The provider was previously in breach of the legal regulation in relation to safeguarding. Improvements were found at this assessment and the provider was no longer in breach of this regulation.

Whilst the provider had made some changes following our last assessment, we found many of the concerns we had identified remained unresolved. The provider had not taken necessary action to be compliant with our regulations, in line with the warning notices we had previously served and the action plans previously requested.

We found ongoing concerns with the management of medicines, in particular the safe disposal or return of unused medicines. There continued to be a failure to maintain infection prevention and control standards around the home including people’s bedrooms and communal areas.The provider did not have sufficient oversight to ensure all staff had the skills and training required. Agency staff were not always given an induction prior to starting their first shift in the home. There was regular use of agency staff which impacted on the continuity and quality of people’s care. There were inaccuracies in people’s care records and we identified continued shortfalls in the management of risk, the delivery of person-centred care, particularly the provision of activities, management oversight and the audit systems in place.

This service remains in special measures. The purpose of special measures is to ensure that services providing inadequate care make significant improvements. Special measures provide a framework within which we use our enforcement powers in response to inadequate care and provide a timeframe within which providers must improve the quality of the care they provide.

We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment. Full information about CQC's regulatory response to the more serious concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.

Updated 13 January 2026

People and their relatives provided mixed feedback about the service. Most of the people we spoke with told us they felt safe living at the home. Comments included, “I’m safe and the care is very good,” and “The care is beyond reproach. I’m sure I’m safe.”

We received mixed feedback in respect of food provision. One person told us, “The food is fine and I get just the right amount.” Another person said, “The food is not dissimilar to school dinners – it doesn’t exactly stimulate my palate.” There were some concerns raised by relatives about the support given at mealtimes. A relative told us, “The food is ok, but [my family member] could really do with some help… like cutting meat into smaller bite size portions.” Another relative raised concerns that their family member was left unattended with food and they felt choking risks were not well managed. They told us, “2 weeks ago [my family member] was laying on the bed, under the covers, flat on her back. Their main meal was on their chest and they were eating with a fork. That is dangerous.”

Some relatives raised issues about cleanliness in the home and the lack of varied and engaging activities. A relative told us, “Activities remain non-existent and residents are put into a lounge with a TV that is far too small, no stimulation either mentally or physically.” Another said, “My [family member’s] room cleanliness feels like it is missing more frequent attention. The floor and ensuite are generally somewhat grubby when I visit.” Other relatives were happy with the care provided and expressed they had seen some recent improvements in the home and hoped these would be sustained. A relative told us, “I find the communication from Middleton Manor has improved markedly in recent months. I get calls to inform me of any issues, or potential issues, although sometimes follow up information is lacking.” Another relative said, “They understand [my family member’s] background, their interests, their personality. They deal so kindly with them.”