Merrivale Farm

Updated 13 August 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Merrivale Farm is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection visit, we reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included information about incidents the provider must notify us of, such as any allegations of abuse. We sought feedback on the service from the local authority and local Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with the owners, registered manager and three care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records, medicines records, staff training records, and two staff recruitment records. We also reviewed incident and accident records, selected policies and procedures, and records relating to the safety of the premises and management of the service.

After the inspection

We spoke with three relatives and three community health and social care professionals about their experiences of people’s care.

Updated 13 August 2019

About the service

Merrivale Farm is a residential care home near Ledbury providing personal care for up to eight people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection, there were seven 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 this service and what we found

Staff were clear how to identify and report any potential abuse or discrimination involving people who lived at the home. The risks associated with people’s individual care needs had been assessed, recorded and plans put in place to manage these. Staff arrangements at the home ensured people received safe, person-centred care. Any accidents or incidents involving people were reported by staff to the management team, who took action to keep people as safe as possible. People had the support they needed to take their medicines safely and as prescribed. Measures were in place to protect people from the risk of infections.

People’s individual care needs were assessed and reviewed to achieve positive outcomes for them. Staff received training and ongoing management support to enable them to work safely and effectively. People were involved in decisions about what they ate and drank, and they helped to produce the home’s weekly menus. Staff and management worked in partnership with a range of community health and social care professionals to ensure people’s care needs were met. People had the support they needed to attend medical appointments and routine health check-ups. 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.

Staff treated people with kindness and compassion, and were committed to people’s continued happiness and wellbeing. People were encouraged to express their views about their care, and these were listened to and acted on. People’s rights to privacy, dignity and independence were understood and promoted by staff. Staff recognised the need to avoid any form of discrimination in planning and delivering people’s care.

People received personalised care and support from staff who knew them well. People’s care plans were individual to them, and staff confirmed they read and followed these. People had support to participate in a range of social and recreational activities, based around their interests and preferences. People and their relatives knew how to raise any concerns or complaints with the management team. People’s wishes and choices about their end of life care were explored with them.

The management team promoted a positive and inclusive culture within the service, based upon open communication with others. People, their relatives and community professionals had confidence in the management of the service. Staff felt well-supported and valued by the management team. The provider had quality assurance systems and processes in place to enable them to monitor and address the quality and safety of people’s care.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (report published 7 March 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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