Meyrick Cottage

We found the following examples of good practice.

There was a clear procedure in place to safely welcome visitors to the home. Visitors were asked to sign in, show evidence of taking a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test and have their temperature taken. There was a supply of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and clear guidance posters on how people could keep themselves and others safe and minimise the risk of cross infection. PPE complied with current government standards and was used in line with government guidance.

People were cared for by staff trained in safe infection, prevention and control, (IPC) practices. Staff took part in regular training sessions that ensured they followed current IPC guidelines to reduce the risk of cross contamination and to help keep people safe.

We spoke with two people and one relative during the inspection. People told us they enjoyed living at Meyrick Cottage and felt safe there. People understood the constraints COVID-19 had placed on them and they were happy they were getting out and about to places they enjoyed again. One person told us, “I’m just going out now, I like going out I enjoy it.” Another person said, “I like everything nice and tidy and I do my own cleaning. The staff keep the house clean; they have their times they clean everything.” People told us they were pleased to see their visitors and looked forward to their visits. A relative told us, “There is always enough PPE available… there is hand sanitizer available everywhere and they check we have done our LFD tests. The home is absolutely clean and tidy, it couldn’t be any cleaner. I’ve seen them cleaning it.”

There was a clear system in place to ensure people and staff received their tests in line with government guidance. People living at Meyrick Cottage, and the staff team, were fully engaged in both the COVID-19 vaccine and testing programmes.

People had individual COVID-19 risk assessments. There was good use of easy read booklets and social stories to help people understand the risks relating to COVID-19 and to reassure people who might feel anxious seeing staff in PPE. The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) in relation to all COVID-19 processes.

The service ensured people and relatives were kept informed of the current COVID-19 guidelines. The registered manager and staff knew their visitors well and were able to keep people informed through their visits and telephone and e mail communications.

The service made good use of technology to ensure people could maintain contact with people that were important to them. People had the use of virtual video calling facilities using the internet, electronic tablets and computers as well as the use of telephone and e mail.

The premises and equipment were visibly clean and all areas were well ventilated and uncluttered to ensure people’s safety. The service had robust cleaning systems in place with scheduled daily, weekly and monthly cleans and frequent high touch point cleaning for high risk areas such as door handles, handrails and light switches. Cleaning products used were in line with government guidelines and were effective against COVID-19.

Policies and procedures were in line with current government guidance and used to inform staff, people and their families. Governance arrangements ensured that IPC policies and procedures were met.

We found the following examples of good practice.

People, staff and visitors to Meyrick Cottage were protected from risks of infection as policies, systems and staff practices reflected national best practice guidance. Visiting was by appointment only and there were robust systems in place to ensure people's safety. These included temperature checks on arrival, plentiful supply of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and appropriate guidance posters on how people could keep themselves and others safe and minimise the risk of cross infection. For visitors that were not taking an active role in any regular Covid-19 testing process, they were asked to complete a rapid Covid-19 test before they entered the premises. These tests indicate a positive or negative test result within 30 minutes.

The home was light, airy, uncluttered and visibly clean throughout. There were robust cleaning schedules in place that were regularly audited to ensure the premises were kept safe from the risk of infection from cross contamination.

Cleaning products were in line with government guidance and available throughout the home. Hand sanitiser dispensers were plentiful and an audible alarm sounded when they became empty, this ensured people always had a supply of sanitiser throughout the home.

Staff were up to date with infection, prevention and control training and had completed training in how to put on, remove and dispose of their PPE. Spot checks were completed by the registered manager to ensure staff were following IPC processes safely.

The home regularly tested people and staff in line with the government’s Covid-19 testing programme. At the time of the inspection people and staff were free from Covid-19.

People had individual Covid-19 risk assessments. There was good use of easy read booklets and social stories to help reassure people who might feel anxious seeing staff in PPE. The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) in relation to all Covid-19 processes.

People were supported to maintain their health and sense of wellbeing. People had use of their own mobile phones and tablets for internet use and to maintain contact with their family and friends. For people who were not able to use electronic devices, staff supported them to contact their families via telephone and video calls.

About the service

Meyrick Cottage is a care home registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to six people diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders and learning disabilities. At the time of this inspection there were two people living at the home.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using the service:

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People’s support focussed on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People told us they enjoyed living at Meyrick Cottage. They told us they felt safe living at Meyrick Cottage and liked the staff who knew them well and provided their support and care with kindness, patience, respect and dignity. Relatives told us they found the staff to be kind, friendly, supportive and professional.

Staff understood how to identify and report abuse and were well supported in their roles. Staff received regular supervision meetings and a variety of training courses to enable them to carry out their roles competently.

Risks to people’s health, safety and well being were regularly assessed, reviewed and updated. People and their families were fully included and involved in their care and support. People's views and opinions were listened to and acted upon wherever possible.

People’s health care needs were met and staff supported them to see healthcare professionals when appropriate. Medicines were managed, stored and administered safely. People were supported to take their medicines safely by staff who had received the appropriate levels of training.

People were supported by safely recruited staff and there were enough appropriately trained and experienced staff to support people in ways that suited them. Communication styles and methods were tailored to individual people and staff supported people to understand the choices available to them.

Staff felt well supported by the management team and their colleagues. Staff received regular supervision sessions that were conducted in a supportive and positive way which enabled staff to develop within their respective roles. Staff spoke positively of the training they received which they said was effective, well delivered and tailored to the needs of the people living at Meyrick Cottage.

People were supported to cook some meals for themselves which encouraged and maintained their independence. People received healthy, nutritious meals which they enjoyed planning and preparing. Meal times were a social occasion where people could choose to spend time with others or in their bedrooms if they preferred.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The premises were well maintained and kept in a clean and safe condition. People had personalised bedrooms which they spoke proudly about and told us they found comfortable.

People led busy, active lives and were encouraged and enabled to pursue hobbies and get involved in activities in the wider community. A variety of in- house activities were provided based on people’s interests and choices

The service worked collaboratively and closely with health care professionals to ensure people received the best care and support at all times.

There was a complaints policy in both a text and pictorial format which gave clear guidance for all people. People and relatives told us they knew how to make a complaint if the needed to and felt any concerns would be taken seriously and action taken straight away.

There was a clear management structure and people, relatives and staff spoke highly of the registered manager who ensured there was an open, supportive, friendly, professional culture at the home.

There were robust quality assurance systems in place to drive improvement and ensure the home offered a safe, effective, caring and responsive service.

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on June 2018 and this was the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was the first scheduled inspection. We look to inspect services within 12 months of them registering with us.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we received about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk