Middleton Manor Care Centre

Updated 9 November 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by an inspector.

Service and service type

Auguste Communities Care Centre is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Auguste Communities Care Centre is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 5 October 2022 and ended on 12 October 2022. We visited the service on 5 October 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 3 people who used the service, 5 relatives, a visiting healthcare professional and 9 staff, including the nominated individual, governance and quality manager, registered manager, deputy manager, senior care assistant, care assistant, activities co-ordinator, kitchen and domestic staff. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We observed interactions between staff and people in communal areas, including at lunchtime. We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 people's care records and medication records. We looked at 2 staff files. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, were reviewed.

Updated 9 November 2022

About the service

Auguste Communities Care Centre is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 83 people. The service provides support to adults and older people, including people living with a dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 17 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People and relatives told us they felt the service was safe. The home was clean and safety checks were carried out. Since the last inspection the home had improved its fire procedures. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs quickly. Staff were clear about the tasks they had to complete and had time to do these. Any incident or accidents in the home were responded to and learning shared.

Staff were trained and skilled to meet people’s needs and were supported through regular supervisions. People were supported with their nutritional needs. 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.

Everyone we spoke with described staff as caring. Staff supported people in a way that protected their privacy, dignity and promoted their independence. People received personalised care, and planning reflected this. People and relatives we spoke with told us they felt able to raise concerns and these would be responded to. People were supported with social activities and to have contact with loved ones. The service was developing the ways families could be involved and enjoy time in the home, such as creating a café area and improvements to the garden. The environment was design to help people with dementia find their way around the home.

The home had an experienced registered manager who had good knowledge of people’s needs and clear oversight of the processes in the home. There were systems to assess the quality of the service, which were closely monitored by the management team. People, relatives and staff gave us positive feedback and told us they had opportunity to comment on the service. Professionals we contacted also told us they felt there had been recent improvements and that the manager was approachable and responsive.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 10 June 2021).

The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

At our last inspection we recommended that the provider review its approach to activities, deployment of staff and continue to develop training and planning around end of life care. At this inspection we found the provider had acted on any recommendations and had made improvements.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Auguste Communities Care Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.