Mont Calm Residential Home

Updated 13 January 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

The inspection took place on 8 December 2020 and was unannounced.

Updated 13 January 2021

About the service

Mont Calm is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 39 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. There were 33 people living at the service at the time of the inspection.

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

People told us they enjoyed living at Mont Calm Residential Home and felt safe with the staff. Comments from people included, “I am very happy here, staff are all very considerate” and “Staff very friendly, always checking to see if I am comfortable.”

People spoke highly of the staff, we observed kind natured interactions between people and staff. Comments included, “Carers are wonderful, couldn’t wish for a better lot, they are all good” and “Loving, caring, well qualified, really good, they have become my family.” Staff knew people well and responded to people’s emotional needs as well as their support needs.

People’s safety had been promoted and potential risks posed to people had been reduced. Staff understood their responsibilities about safeguarding and had been appropriately trained. People’s safety in the event of an emergency had been considered. Equipment was serviced and maintained. People received their medicines safely as prescribed by their doctor.

There were enough trained staff with the right skills to meet people’s needs. Staffing levels had increased when there had been changes in a person’s needs. Staff were observed spending time speaking with people and their relatives. Staff were recruited safely to ensure they were suitable to work with people.

Staff felt there was an open culture where their views were listened to and respected. Staff felt supported in their role by the management team and received guidance when needed. The management team worked alongside the care staff to support them and observe practice. Staff were encouraged to complete further education courses to widen their skills and knowledge.

People were supported to seek medical support when this was required to maintain their health. People had access to food and drink they enjoyed; as well as snacks throughout the day. People’s nutrition and hydration needs had been assessed; records were up to date and accurate.

People were at the centre of their care and support, making choices about their lives. Care records were kept under review to ensure they continued to meet people’s needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People and relatives were encouraged to give their feedback about the service and make suggestions for improvements or to raise any complaints.

People were supported to participate in activities and events within the service and in the local community. A coffee shop had been made in the back garden enabling people to spend time with their loved ones outside of the service. People were enabled and encouraged to maintain as much independence as possible.

Systems were in place to monitor and audit the quality of care people received. Action was taken when any shortfalls were identified. Lessons were learnt and improvements were made when things went wrong.

The registered manager and management team were committed to ensuring people received a high-quality service. Attendance at regular events and forums enabled the sharing of best practice.

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 18 June 2018) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. 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.

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.

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