Staff showed they understood the importance of considering people's mental capacity. However, from reading people's care records, we found that where people were unable to make informed choices about important life decisions their best interests were not always being fully considered.
We found the premises were being kept generally clean, tidy and hygienic and systems were in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.
People felt that their needs were met at Long Meadow and positively described the activities that were available, which included bingo, quiz nights and painting. We found that care plans generally guided staff to meet people's welfare and safety needs.
Although people told us that the premises were kept clean, tidy and hygienic, we found that not all systems were in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.
The people we spoke with thought that staff had been recruited safely. We found that appropriate checks were undertaken before staff began work.
People described good levels of contact with the local community. These comprised visits to them from friends and relatives and to the service from local entertainers, and regular visits into the community in the service's mini bus.
Three of the people we spoke with had no recall of being formally involved in drawing up their care plans or risk assessments, though one of these three people said that staff do talk to them about their needs.
The people we spoke with said that staff respected their personal preferences. Also, they felt that all their needs were met at Long Meadow. They felt that a range of suitable activities were offered and described examples of those activities they found stimulating. These ranged from, 'music and singing' to, 'Bingo, dominoes and baking.' One person added, '[The activities coordinator] is good at organising'I enjoy the entertainers.'
The people we spoke with told us that they felt safe living at Long Meadow. Three people were able to tell us what they would do if they were worried about anything ' one said, 'I'd ask staff, they're all approachable.' All the people we spoke with confirmed that staff showed them respect and ensured their dignity was maintained.
People told us that they felt there were sufficient staff to meet their needs and were readily available. They all felt that they were cared for properly, by staff, during the day and night. They said that staff were competent at their job, with one adding, 'I can't find any fault at all.'
The people we spoke with all said the quality of the service they received was very good. Only one person was aware of there being any residents' meetings and that person gave us an example of improvements seen after one particular meeting. Two people confirmed they had been asked to complete a satisfaction survey. A third person told us, 'I've never had any concerns to raise.'