Archived: Middlecross

Updated 8 July 2016

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 21 and 22 June 2016 and was unannounced.

At the time of our inspection there were 19 people using the service. During our visit we spoke with eight people who used the service, ten relatives, six staff and spoke with the registered manager and deputy manager. We spent time looking at documents and records related to people’s care and the management of the service. We looked at four people’s care plans and four people’s medication records.

The inspection was carried out on the first day by one adult social care inspector and an expert by experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. On the second day there was one adult social care inspector.

Before our inspection, we reviewed all the information we held about the home, including previous inspection reports and statutory notifications. Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We also reviewed all the information we held about the home, including previous inspection reports and statutory notifications. We also contacted the local Healthwatch. Healthwatch feedback stated they had no comments or concerns. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

Updated 8 July 2016

This was an unannounced inspection carried out on 21 and 22 June 2016. At the last inspection in July 2014 we found the provider met the regulations we looked at.

Middlecross is a residential home providing personal care and support for up to 32 older adults; some of whom are living with dementia. The home also offers a respite care service. It is located in the Armley area of Leeds.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People who used the service told us they felt safe with the staff and the care they were provided with. We found people were cared for by appropriately trained staff who were supported to understand how to deliver good care. Risk assessments were in place to help ensure people received safe care.

People received their medication as prescribed and there were safe, well organised systems in place for receiving, administering and disposing of medicines. Health care needs were met well, with prompt referrals made when necessary.

The registered manager and staff had an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). They had made appropriate applications to the relevant authorities to ensure that people's rights were protected.

People were supported to have sufficient amounts of food and drink to meet their needs.

The care plans provided staff with good information about how to meet people's individual needs, understand their preferences and how to care for them safely.

The staff we spoke with were able to describe how individual people preferred their care and support to be delivered and the importance of treating people with privacy, dignity and respect. Staff were kind and caring and treated people respectfully.

There were good, effective systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and ensure continuous improvement.

People who used the service, relatives and staff spoke highly of the registered manager and their commitment to the leadership of the service.