CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Meadowcroft Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff managed risks, medicines, staffing and infection control safely, although written guidance for medicines taken when needed was initially missing and was added during the inspection.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and care was delivered by trained staff. People had access to healthcare, suitable food and drink, and support that respected the Mental Capacity Act.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were kind and knew people well. Inspectors saw people being treated with dignity, asked for consent and supported to make choices and remain independent.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's preferences and communication needs. People were supported with activities, relationships, complaints and end-of-life wishes.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had engaged leadership, effective audits and action plans for improvement. Staff, people and relatives were asked for their views, although some care notes needed more detail.
What inspectors found, April 2023
Meadowcroft Care Home was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with two minor record-keeping issues addressed during the visit.
This was the first inspection since the service was newly registered. Inspectors visited without warning on 6 March 2023 and 9 March 2023. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and health and social care professionals. They also reviewed care records, medicine records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, suitable risk assessments and good infection control. People said they felt safe and that staff knew them well.
Inspectors found that people were involved in their care and were treated with dignity. Care was adapted to people's preferences, communication needs and interests. Relatives were kept informed, people could maintain relationships and staff worked with health professionals.
The report also records two small areas that needed attention. Written guidance for medicines taken when needed was missing at the start of the inspection but was put in place by the second day. Some care notes needed more detail and staff were working to improve them.
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Staffing had been increased after feedback and observation of people's needs.
“People were supported by enough staff who knew them well.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People were treated with dignity and respect. Staff asked for consent, supported personal choices and helped people remain as independent as possible.
“People were supported by kind and caring staff who knew them well.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's histories, interests and preferences. Staff adapted support to individual communication needs and choices.
“People contributed to their care plans and received care tailored to their individual needs.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People were supported to take part in activities and spend time with family, friends and visitors. Staff also offered one-to-one time when requested.
“People were encouraged to plan and attend social activities; staff responded to people's requests and met their wishes when they asked to spend time with staff on a one to one basis.” from the report
Active management
The registered manager used audits and action plans to identify improvements. The home also worked with health and social care professionals.
“The registered manager undertook various quality assurance processes and had a clear vision for the service.” from the report
As-needed medicines guidance
minorAt the start of the inspection, staff did not have written guidance explaining when some as-needed medicines should be given. The registered manager put this guidance in place by the second day.
“There was no written guidance for staff to determine when people may need PRN medicines.” from the report
Care note detail
minorSome care notes did not contain enough detail. Staff had been told about this and were working on improvements.
“For example, care notes required more detail, staff were made aware of this and had worked towards improvements.” from the report
- 01How do you now record and review medicines that are given when needed?
- 02How do you check that care notes contain enough detail for staff to provide consistent care?
- 03How would you assess and support my relative's specific dementia, health, communication or dietary needs?
- 04What activities and one-to-one support would be available for my relative?
- 05How would you involve our family in care planning, changes in health and end-of-life wishes?
This was an unannounced first inspection of the newly registered service covering all five key questions and infection prevention and control. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 April 2023 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Meadowcroft Care Home
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2022
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 February 2022.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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28 live-in carers within about an hour of West Sussex
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,170 a week. 23 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.