We carried out a review of the data available to us about Merwood Rest Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Merwood Rest Home, you can give feedback on this service.
At the time of the inspection there were strict rules in place throughout England relating to social restrictions and shielding practices. These were commonly known as the 'national lockdown - stay at home policy'. This meant the Covid-19 alert level was high and there were tighter restrictions in place affecting the whole community.
We found the following examples of good practice:
The provider and registered manager had comprehensive processes to minimise the risk to people, staff and visitors from catching and spreading infection. All authorised visitors were appropriately checked at the door of the home to make sure they were safe to enter.
There were twice weekly testing of staff and people living in the home. Hand sanitiser and personal protective equipment (PPE) were available throughout the home. There were signs to remind staff, visitors and people about the use of PPE, the importance of washing hands, regular use of hand sanitisers and appropriate social distancing.
Where appropriate, ‘socially-distanced' visits had been taking place before the inspection. There was a visiting area that had been created at the front of the home so that visitors did not have to enter the home itself. The registered manager told us visiting facilities would be extended further in the coming week consistent with latest national guidance for care homes. This would allow one person, appropriately protected, to visit their loved one inside the home.
Infection control policy and people's risk assessments had been considered and revised following the pandemic so that people were protected in the event of becoming unwell or in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak in the home.
The provider insisted people were tested before admission. They also had to shield from others on admission to the home. We spoke with two people during the inspection and they told us the level of support and care was good and management and staff were strict around protective measures. We were satisfied the service, staff, people and visitors were following the rules.
People's mental wellbeing had been promoted by innovative use of social media and electronic tablets so people could contact their relatives and friends. Where required, staff supported people with this technology.
The home was clean and hygienic. The registered manager used innovative methods and technologies to ensure all 'touchable' surfaces were consistently clean so the spread of any infection was reduced. They had researched this at the realisation of a national pandemic and sought expert guidance on implementation of these processes in a care home.
Staff also had comprehensive knowledge of infection prevention, access to good practice guidance and had attended Covid 19 specialist training hosted by the registered manager. We noted this followed best practice and the latest guidance. There were sufficient staff to provide continuity of support and ensure safeguards were in place should there be a staff shortage.
If required, staff could receive Covid 19 related supervision and had access to appropriate support to manage their wellbeing. During the inspection it was clear the registered manager had a good understanding and knowledge of the staff team.
The provider and registered manager encouraged and supported residents and staff appropriately around taking up the Covid-19 vaccines. This programme had been rolled out shortly before the inspection.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
People we spoke with told us they felt safe living at the home. We found people were protected from risks associated with their care because the registered provider had completed risk assessments.
People told us there were enough staff on duty and staff came quickly to any requests for support. We reviewed medicines administration and documentation and found this to be safe. We looked around the home and found it was clean, tidy and maintained.
People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.
We found the home was pro-active in supporting people to have sufficient nutrition and hydration. One person told us, “The food is very nice. They come round with a menu every morning. It suits our tastes.”
We received consistent positive feedback about care provided at Merwood Rest Home from people who lived at the home and their relatives. Staff understood the needs of people they supported and it was apparent trusting relationships had been created.
We saw people engaging in activities positively with staff. During the morning of the inspection visit we observed people taking part in chair exercises.
We saw evidence of complaints and information was available to show how those complaints had been reviewed, investigated and responded to.
People who lived at the home and relatives told us the home was well led. The registered manager had clear visions around the registered activities and plans for improvement moving forward. They were receptive to feedback and keen to improve the home and worked with us in a positive manner and provided all the information we requested.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
This inspection visit took place on 20 October 2015 and was unannounced.
At the last inspection on 23 September 2013 the service was meeting the requirements of the regulations that were inspected at that time.
Merwood is a care home registered to accommodate up to 16 people. The home is situated on the sea front in Bispham close to local shops and amenities. Accommodation comprises of two lounges, dining room, kitchen, and laundry. Bedrooms are located on the ground and first floor and comprise of 14 single bedrooms and one double room with ensuite facilities. A passenger lift is available to facilitate access between the ground and first floor. At the time of our inspection visit there were 15 people who lived at the home.
There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The registered manager had systems in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report any unsafe care or abusive practices. People we spoke with told us they felt safe and their rights and dignity were respected.
We found recruitment procedures were safe with appropriate checks undertaken before new staff members commenced their employment. Staff spoken with and records seen confirmed a structured induction training and development programme was in place.
Staff received regular training and were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities. They had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and social needs.
We found sufficient staffing levels were in place to provide the support people required. We saw staff members were responsive when people required assistance. Call bells were answered quickly and people requesting help were assisted in a timely manner. One person we spoke with said, “I have no concerns about the staff being available when I need them.”
The registered manager understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). This meant they were working within the law to support people who may lack capacity to make their own decisions.
People who lived at the home had freedom of movement and could spend time in their room if that was their choice. They were involved in decision making about their personal care needs and the running of the home. We saw no restrictions on people’s liberty during our visit.
People were happy with the variety and choice of meals available to them. Regular snacks and drinks were provided between meals to ensure people received adequate nutrition and hydration. The cook had information about people’s dietary needs and these were being met.
Care plans we looked at confirmed the registered manager had completed an assessment of people’s support needs before they moved into the home. We saw people or a family member had been involved in the assessment and had consented to the support being provided. People we spoke with said they were happy with their care and they liked living at the home.
The environment was well maintained, clean and hygienic when we visited. No offensive odours were observed by the Inspector. The people we spoke with said they were happy with the standard of hygiene in place.
We found medication procedures in place at the home were safe. Staff responsible for the administration of medicines had received training to ensure they had the competency and skills required. Medicines were safely kept and appropriate arrangements for storing were in place.
People told us they were happy with the activities arranged to keep them entertained. On the morning of our inspection visit we saw staff undertaking armchair exercises with people. During the afternoon people were entertained by a singer. One person we spoke with said, “We have some really interesting activities organised for us. The entertainer coming this afternoon is very good.”
The service had a complaints procedure which was made available to people on their admission to the home. People we spoke with told us they were comfortable with complaining to staff or management when necessary.
The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included annual satisfaction surveys, staff and resident’s meetings and care reviews. We found people were satisfied with the service they were receiving.
People were seen to be cared for in ways that suited them, and they told us that they were involved in their own care. We saw that people were given opportunities to inform the staff of their personal support requirements. Staff were found to be involved in assessing people's needs, and there were systems in place to monitor how those needs were met. We observed some of the staff working alongside people in positive ways. People living at the home told us that they felt safe. One person said that staff sometimes looked busy, but added that they never came across as having to rush people. They always gave them enough time to complete a task like getting dressed or washed. One visitor we spoke with thought the home had a good number of staff on duty throughout the day and night.