21 June 2016
During a routine inspection
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.