CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Melrose House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough suitably checked staff, appropriate risk assessments, safe medicine systems and effective infection prevention arrangements. Staff understood safeguarding procedures and how to respond when things went wrong.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed before they moved in, and staff received induction, ongoing and specialist training. People were supported with eating and drinking, healthcare appointments, communication and decision-making.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were observed to be calm and warm. Inspectors found that people were treated with dignity and respect, involved in choices and supported to develop independence and life skills.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans included people's needs, abilities, choices and preferences. People had individual activity plans and were supported to maintain relationships, enjoy interests and communicate in ways that suited them.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The registered manager worked directly with people and staff, used audits and meetings to monitor quality, and worked openly with relatives and other professionals. Inspectors found a person-centred and inclusive culture.
What inspectors found, September 2022
Melrose House was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care across all five areas.
This was the first inspection since the service registered in March 2021. The announced inspection took place over 23 and 24 August 2022, with a visit on 24 August. One inspector carried out the inspection.
The inspector spoke with people using the service, two staff members, a relative and a social care professional. They observed care and reviewed care, medicine and staff records, along with audits, policies and procedures.
The home supports up to three people. At the inspection, two people lived there permanently and one person used the short-stay respite service. Inspectors rated Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led as Good.
Personalised care
Care plans reflected people's individual needs, choices and preferences. Staff adapted communication and support to each person.
“People had personalised care plans in place which included information about their personal needs, choices and preferences.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff working calmly and speaking warmly about the people they supported. Privacy, dignity and human rights were promoted.
“People received care that was person-centred, and dignity, privacy and human rights were promoted.” from the report
Independence and activities
People were supported with daily tasks, hobbies, work placements, trips and relationships. Activities were based on their individual interests.
“People were supported to carry out their daily living activities and pursue their hobbies and interests.” from the report
Safe home and medicines
The home was described as clean, well maintained and well equipped. Staff received medicine training and had their competence checked.
“People received care and support in a safe, clean, well equipped, well-furnished and well-maintained home.” from the report
Health support
Staff planned and recorded health appointments and acted promptly when people developed health needs requiring further investigation.
“People had health actions plans in place, which were used to ensure all health needs and appointments were planned, monitored and recorded.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative's particular communication needs, including any use of picture cards or other communication methods?
- 02How are medicines administered, stored and audited, and how is staff competence checked?
- 03How would you assess and manage risks while still supporting my relative to be independent?
- 04How would you introduce my relative to the other people living at the home before a permanent or respite stay?
- 05What activities, appointments and family visits could you support my relative to take part in?
This was the first planned inspection of the newly registered home and covered all five CQC key questions, including infection prevention and control under Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 September 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.
Every inspection of Melrose House
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- September 2022Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 May 2021.
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
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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Milton Keynes
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 90 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“We can all fully relax around Nyarai and she feels like part of our family, which is no mean feat!”
“She was v competent and confident and we felt our mum was safe in her care. She supported us through a difficult time.”
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.