The Care Quality Commission
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  • Care home

Melford Court Care Home

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Hall Street, Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9JA (01787) 880545

Provided and run by:
Stow Healthcare Group Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed - see old profile

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Date of inspection: 24 February 2026 until 25 March 2026.

Melford Court Care Home is a nursing and residential service providing care for older people, including those living with dementia. At this inspection, we found the service continued to deliver safe, effective, compassionate and responsive care.

People’s safety and well-being were prioritised and risks to people were generally well managed, with safeguarding systems embedded and staff demonstrating strong awareness of how to recognise and respond to concerns. People told us they felt safe living at the service and were confident in staff. Incidents were appropriately reported, investigated and reviewed, with learning shared to prevent recurrence. Where gaps in care documentation were identified, these had not resulted in harm and were already being addressed by the registered manager through strengthened oversight and review processes.

Care was effective and delivered in line with people’s assessed needs and best practice guidance. People received timely access to healthcare professionals and staff worked collaboratively with external services to promote positive outcomes.

Staff were trained, skilled and supported through supervision and development, enabling them to deliver consistently effective care.

The service was caring, people were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Relationships between staff and people were warm and compassionate, and staff took time to engage meaningfully with people.

Care was responsive and highly personalised. People experienced a wide range of meaningful activities tailored to their interests and abilities, including strong community engagement and individualised one-to-one support. The service demonstrated outstanding practice in end‑of‑life care, providing holistic support to people and their families in partnership with healthcare professionals.

The service was well led, with visible and approachable leadership promoting an open, inclusive and learning‑focused culture. Governance systems supported oversight of quality and safety, and leaders responded appropriately when improvements were needed. Staff felt supported and valued, contributing to a stable workforce and positive culture focused on delivering high‑quality, person‑centred care.

9 February 2022

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Melford Court Care Home provides accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 52 older people, some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 43 people living at the service. The service is situated in the village of Long Melford on the edge of the town of Sudbury in Suffolk.

We found the following examples of good practice.

The service had comprehensive policies and procedures to manage any risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the management of people with a COVID-19 positive diagnosis.

People living in the service and their relatives were supported to maintain contact.

The management team provided regular Zoom meeting calls to friends and relatives of people who used the service to provide information and updates, including changes in Government COVID-19 guidance. The role of an essential caregiver was supported and welcomed to ensure people's wellbeing was promoted.

There was a system of regular COVID-19 testing for both people who used the service, staff, and visitors. All visitors, including professionals were subject to a range of screening procedures, including showing evidence of vaccination and a negative lateral flow test before entry into the service to protect people from the risk of acquiring infections.

There was a plentiful supply of personal protective equipment [PPE] for staff and any visitors to use. Hand sanitiser was readily available throughout the service. Staff had received updated training in infection control and in the use of PPE. Staff were observed wearing PPE.

The service was visibly clean and hygienic. Daily cleaning schedules were in place. Daily cleaning included regular touch point areas, such as door handles and handrails.

23 May 2018

During a routine inspection

Melford Court Care Home provides accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 52 older people some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 38 people using the service. The service is situated in the village of Long Melford on the edge of the town of Sudbury in Suffolk.

Melford Court Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. This comprehensive inspection took place on 23 May 2018 and was unannounced.

This was the first inspection to the service since a change in registration in September 2017 when Stow Healthcare Group purchased the home.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with CQC 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.

There were sufficient staff to meet people's needs safely and effectively. The service used effective recruitment procedures to ensure staff were suitable for the job role they were working in. Staff completed a thorough induction and received regular training and supervision to support them in their roles.

People's needs were assessed before they moved into the home. These needs were met by staff who had the skills and knowledge to deliver effective support. People were supported to eat and drink enough to have a balanced diet and access healthcare support when required. The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People received a service that was caring. Staff knew people's needs well and were responsive and supportive. Staff treated people with dignity and respect. The provider and staff sought to gain people's views and act on them. The service operated an electronic care documentation system. Care plans and risk assessments were person-centred, and reflected the needs of each individual.

People who lived at the home, relatives and staff told us the service was well led. The registered provider's vision and values were embedded into the home and culture. Governance systems were effective in monitoring service delivery. Management encouraged people and their families to be involved and engaged with the service. The registered manager had developed links with the local community.