- Care home
Meadowbank Residential Care Home
Assessment report published 21 August 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Meadowbank Residential Care Home provides 24-hour support and personal care for up to 22 older people.
Meadowbank Residential Care Home does not provide nursing support but provides care and accommodation for older people, some of whom may be living with dementia.
We carried out this assessment from 6 August to 14 August 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, we highlight key themes and people’s experience.
People were supported by staff who knew how to keep them safe. The registered manager and senior leaders at the home knew people well and ensured that care delivery systems, including risk assessments, were in place which were regularly audited.
Action was taken where improvements to care delivery systems were identified. This included involving people and their relatives in managing risks.
Safeguarding systems were in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Staff were trained in safeguarding and were knowledgeable of safeguarding systems and recognising and reporting potential abuse. A member of staff told us, “First I would raise it [a concern] to our manager but we do have the option to go straight to the local authority safeguarding team. We have the number.”
Staff were recruited safely into the home. This included having robust shortlisting and interviewing procedures and documentation, gaining references from previous employers, completing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and checking right to work status. DBS checks provide information, including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. This meant appointable staff members were of good character to work with vulnerable people.
Staff told us that there was a team in place to ensure people were supported by regular staff. A staff member told us, “We never have a shortage of staff. We have never used agency staff all the time I have been here.”
Safe medication management systems were in place, and people received their medicines safely as prescribed. Staff ensured they followed infection prevention and control practices.
People, their relatives and our observations told us the home was clean and tidy. Staff ensured they followed infection prevention and control practices. A relative told us, “I think it's a really nice place. It's very clean. Parts of the home had recently been decorated, and plans were in place to decorate the remainder.
The registered manager was updating information so that all people were supported by staff who had the skills and knowledge to support them safely. A health care professional told us, “Every member of staff we have encountered has been warm, friendly, highly professional, and clearly so knowledgeable in the care they provide.”
The home worked in partnership with healthcare professionals, this meant that people’s care plans had the information they needed to provide the care people wanted and required. A health care professional told us, “The care home has been engaging well with our service. We are commissioned to provide training to care home staff to empower them so that they can do more for themselves. So far, they have been attending both face to face and virtual trainings.” Another health care professional told us, “I can tell they follow our recommendations as things are healing up as they should. I see that they take pressure relieving cushions around with people, so they have them wherever they are sitting.” A relative told us, “Staff all know them [my relative] and understand their physical and emotional needs. The staff always inform me of developments and I'm happy for him the reside here.”
The home followed the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Where people needed to have restrictions in place, to keep them safe, this was done in their best interests and followed correct legal procedures, known as Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Care plans were person-centred, adequately detailed, and up to date. They contained information about people's life history and background, their interests and people important to them.
There was a team of senior leaders who provided oversight of the home. One member of staff told us, “There is an allocation for each shift, there is always a person in charge.”
Regular audits were completed to identify any issues within the home that needed resolving. There were systems in place to record accidents and incidents and care changed as a result to prevent recurrence.
Staff told us they liked working at the home, were treated fairly and were supported in their role. One member of staff told us, “[I like] the teamwork; the staff have really good [sic] co-operation together. If there is a problem everyone cooperates to solve it.”
The registered manager had sought feedback from people, their relatives, staff and professionals and this was acted upon. A relative told us, “When I have raised minor concerns, they were handled straightway." A member of staff told us, “We have an open-door policy with the manager.” Another told us, “The manager listens to us.”
People's experience of this service
We observed people and their staff and spoke with people and their relatives to gather feedback of people's experience.
We observed that staff treated people with dignity and respect. A relative told us, “I cannot say anything negative [about staff]. I see how they are with the residents; they are amazing. The most important thing when people are in this condition is kindness." Staff were aware of gaining people’s consent before providing care. One member of staff told us, “We always ask before we do something, their choices are upheld.”
Staff empowered people to have control over their care and supported people to maintain their independence. A person told us, “I am very comfortable here. I have a nice room; I have got it exactly as I want it. I am quite happy here. I think the staff are very good. They are very friendly and helpful." A relative told us, “They encourage my relative to use their walking frame, they have got wheelchair when they need it.”
People told us they felt safe and their relatives agreed. We observed that when people mobilised, staff ensured they were close by and provided the support needed, for example a steadying hand on a person's elbow, meaning this was done safely, and people felt safe.
Staff were available and people did not have to wait for care when they needed it. When people used their call bells, these were responded to promptly. One person told us, "If I need something, I ring my bell and they are usually with me within a minute or two."
People were involved in their care planning and were listened to, meaning they received the care they wanted. Relatives told us that when issues were raised about people’s care, they were resolved quickly. One relative told us, “I raised with the home that my loved one’s new medication was not recommended to be taken with their other medication - within a day they had spoken with the GP, and an alternative medication had been prescribed.”
We observed activities taking place and that people were actively involved in them. People and relatives told us that the activities coordinator arranged a lot of activities both in and away from the home, including lunches out, boat trips, clubs and coffee mornings. People were supported to their local church and if they did not want to do this, a lay minister held a service at the home, once a month, for them to attend. Activities were both stimulatory and got people active and mobile. There was a choice of group and one-to-one- activities. One person told us, “I am aware there are activities I can take part in if I wish. I enjoy the yoga sessions and exercise classes. The activity coordinator brings people together."