CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Melford Court Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Melford Court Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection prevention and control arrangements during the COVID-19 response.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 9 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, and asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
The inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks. They found testing, visitor screening, personal protective equipment, hand sanitiser, staff training and cleaning arrangements in place. Visits and contact with relatives were also supported.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not produce an overall quality rating or a rated judgement for Safe care.
Infection control planning
The home had policies and procedures for managing COVID-19 risks, including for people who tested positive.
“The service had comprehensive policies and procedures to manage any risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.” from the report
Contact with relatives
The home helped people keep in touch with friends and relatives. It also supported the role of an essential caregiver.
“People living in the service and their relatives were supported to maintain contact.” from the report
Testing and visitor checks
Regular testing was in place for people living in the home, staff and visitors. Visitors were screened before entering.
“There was a system of regular COVID-19 testing for both people who used the service, staff, and visitors.” from the report
Clean environment and protective equipment
Inspectors saw supplies of protective equipment, hand sanitiser, staff training and regular cleaning, including of frequently touched areas.
“The service was visibly clean and hygienic. Daily cleaning schedules were in place.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now?
- 02How do you currently manage COVID-19 or other infection outbreaks?
- 03How are visits and contact with relatives supported now?
- 04How do you manage staffing pressures when staff are absent because of illness or COVID-19?
- 05What are the home's current overall and five-question CQC ratings?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control practices and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 February 2022 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.
What inspectors found, August 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with occasional delays answering call bells.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 23 May 2018. Inspectors reviewed care records, staff files, training, medicines records and quality checks. They spoke with people living at the home, staff, relatives and healthcare professionals.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable recruitment checks, safe medicines arrangements and staff with the right training.
People were treated with kindness and respect. Their care plans reflected their needs and preferences. Food choices, activities, healthcare and end of life wishes were supported. The home had a positive culture and regular checks to monitor quality.
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as caring. Inspectors saw staff communicate warmly, protect privacy and support independence.
“Staff were kind and compassionate and treated people with dignity and respect.” from the report
Personalised care records
Care plans and daily records were detailed, up to date and reflected individual preferences, including personal routines and interests.
“People's electronic care plans were easily accessible by relevant staff.” from the report
Food and choice
People had varied food and drink choices. Staff adapted meals for health needs, preferences and people's ability to eat independently.
“People were supported to have a healthy and nutritious diet, make their own choices and maintain their independence.” from the report
Positive management
Inspectors found managers approachable and staff working well together. Regular audits and feedback were used to check quality.
“We found a welcoming, open and uplifting culture at the home.” from the report
Occasional call bell delays
minorInspectors saw a few occasions when call bells took a little while to be answered. People and relatives generally said delays were uncommon and staffing was sufficient.
“We observed a few occasions during our visit where call bells took a little while to be responded to however when we spoke with people they said that ordinarily there was very little delay.” from the report
- 01How quickly are call bells answered now, and how do you check for delays during busy periods?
- 02How many staff are on duty for each shift, and how is cover arranged when someone is absent?
- 03How will you keep my relative's care plan updated as their needs, routines and preferences change?
- 04What activities and one-to-one support would be available for my relative if they did not want to join group activities?
- 05How would you support my relative's food, drink and dietary needs, including any help they need to eat independently?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions and was the first inspection since a change in registration in September 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 August 2018 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 Melford Court Care Home
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 28 September 2017.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
23 live-in carers within about an hour of Suffolk
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 £1,260 a week. 17 can care for a couple. 7 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
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.