We carried out a review of the data available to us about Millers Grange 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 Millers Grange, you can give feedback on this service.
Millers Grange is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care in an adapted building across two floors. There were 33 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection living at the service. The service can support up to 52 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People living at Millers Grange received safe care from skilled and knowledgeable staff. Staff knew how to identify and report any concerns. The provider had safe recruitment and selection processes in place.
Risks to people's safety and well-being were managed through a risk management process. There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people's needs. Medicines were managed safely, and people received their medicines as prescribed.
People and relatives told us staff were caring. Staff consistency enabled people to receive good care from staff who knew them well. Staff did all they could to promote independency and we saw examples of such practices.
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 had a particularly good understanding of when the principles of the Mental Capacity Act should be applied. People were supported to meet their nutritional needs and complimented the food at the home.
The home was well-led by a registered manager who was committed to improving people’s quality of life. The service had a clear management and staffing structure in place and staff worked well as a team. The provider had effective quality assurance systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. Staff worked well with external social and health care professionals.
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 29 April 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
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.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
We found the following examples of good practice.
The provider had sufficient stock of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which complied with the quality standards.
Staff participated in various training sessions around infection control and using PPE. Staff's competency around infection control and PPE was checked regularly to prevent staff complacency. This included the registered manager’s daily walk around checks as well as supervisions. There were designated areas for donning and doffing PPE. There was signage all around the service on donning and doffing PPE and handwashing. We observed staff putting on and taking off PPE as per guidelines.
A visiting pod had been created to safely facilitate relatives' visits on a pre-booking basis. A limited number of visitors was encouraged with consideration given to allow time for disinfecting the area in between visits. All visitors had their temperature taken using thermal imaging camera and completed a lateral flow test (LFT) for COVID-19.
On arrival to the service, infection control procedures were explained to visitors and a declaration form needed to be completed which included the temperatures taken at the time. We saw visitors were provided and required to wear the appropriate PPE in line with government guidelines.
The provider had robust systems to ensure safe admissions, including only allowing new admissions after a confirmed negative result of the Covid-19 test. The provider had also assessed the environment, with consideration given where to allocate people should they need to isolate.
An additional cleaning schedule had been introduced to ensure robust measures to reduce infection risks, including additional tasks such as cleaning of any regular touchpoint surfaces.
The provider participated in the Covid-19 regular testing programme for both people and staff.
Impact assessments to ensure appropriate support for staff had been carried out, these included individual health conditions and personal circumstances. Staff had access to dedicated counselling and advice if they been affected directly or indirectly by Covid-19.
Additional, regular communication took place. This included a weekly update for people and their relatives to share the current 'Covid-19 status' of the service and any changes to the visiting policy.