Merrimans Respite Care Unit

Updated 24 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 1 inspector, and an Expert by Experience undertook telephone interviews with relatives of people who used the service. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Merrimans Respite Care Unit 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. Merrimans Respite Care Unit is a care home without 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.

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 met 1 person who used the service and spoke with 13 relatives about their experience of the care provided. People had complex needs and we were not able to fully communicate with them about their views of the service. We spoke with 3 members of staff including the registered manager, a team leader and a care worker. We also received email feedback from 4 members of staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 5 people’s care records and the medicines records for all the people currently using the service. We looked at 4 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed. Following the inspection, we continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We emailed and received feedback from 2 professionals who had regular contact with the service.

Updated 24 November 2022

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

About the service

Merrimans Respite Care Unit provides short term accommodation and personal care over 2 floors for up to 9 adults with a range of needs including physical and learning disabilities in order to give their carers a break from their caring responsibilities. At the time of the inspection, around 70 people accessed the service. There were 7 people using the service on the day of the inspection.

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

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture.

Right support:

Risks to people’s safety and wellbeing were appropriately assessed and mitigated. There were systems for monitoring the quality of the service, gathering feedback from others and making continuous improvements. People were supported with their medicines. Staff were trained in the administration of medicines and had their competencies assessed. They followed the procedure for the safe administration and recording of medicines. The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way. No restrictive intervention practices were used. People's needs were assessed before they started using the service and care plans were developed from initial assessments. People and those important to them were involved in reviewing their care and support plans.

Right care:

People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and maintain their independence. The staff supported people in a person-centred way and respected their privacy, dignity and human rights. Records indicated people’s needs were met in a personalised way and they had been involved in planning and reviewing their care. Relatives’ feedback highlighted the staff were kind, caring and respectful and had developed good relationships with people who used the service. The provider worked closely with other professionals to make sure people had access to health care services. People’s nutritional needs were assessed and met.

Right culture:

Staff were responsive to people’s individual needs and knew them well. They supported each person by spending time with them and listening to them. They ensured that each person felt included and valued as an individual. People were engaged in meaningful activities of their choice. They were consulted about what they wanted to do and were listened to. Staff told us they were happy and felt well supported. They enjoyed their work and spoke positively about the people they cared for. They received the training, support and information they needed to provide effective care. The provider had procedures for recruiting and inducting staff to help ensure only suitable staff were employed.

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

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to whistleblowing concerns received about staffing levels. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern.

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.

Rating at the last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 29 August 2019). At this inspection, the service remains good.

Follow up

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