CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Meols Drive Care Home with Nursing
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed through testing, PPE, cleaning, visitor checks and up-to-date policies.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, April 2022
Meols Drive Care Home with Nursing was inspected but not rated; inspectors found robust infection control during a recent COVID-19 outbreak.
This was a targeted inspection on 24 March 2022. Inspectors checked infection prevention and control arrangements after a recent COVID-19 outbreak. They also asked about staffing pressures and any effect on care.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing admissions, testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, hygiene and infection outbreaks safely. They found up-to-date policies, regular audits and good arrangements for visitors.
The home was clean and hygienic on the day of the visit. Everyone living in the home and staff had been vaccinated, and people were involved in infection control meetings and audits. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Infection control
The home had supplies of PPE, hand sanitising stations, cleaning arrangements and regular infection control checks.
“There were ample supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure people were protected as much as possible from the risk of cross infection.” from the report
Safe visiting
Visitors were subject to checks and visits were arranged in line with government guidance.
“Excellent provisions were in place to ensure visitors were safe to see their loved ones.” from the report
Involvement of residents
People living in the home were involved in infection control meetings and audits, helping to promote good standards.
“People living in the home helped to complete these audits and helped to encourage other people living in the home and staff to maintain good infection control standards at all times.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection control arrangements are now in place, following the recent COVID-19 outbreak?
- 02How are you managing any ongoing staffing pressures, and have they affected people living in the home?
- 03How often are staff and residents tested for COVID-19 now?
- 04What checks are currently required before family members and other visitors enter the home?
- 05How are people living in the home involved in infection control meetings and audits?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, including COVID-19 arrangements and staffing pressures; it did not provide ratings for the other key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 April 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, September 2018
Rated Good overall; inspectors found kind, safe care and outstanding support for independence, while the building was larger than current best-practice guidance.
Inspectors visited on 22 June and 6 July 2018. The first visit was unannounced. They spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and outside professionals. They observed care and checked records, medicines, recruitment, training, safety and complaints.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led were also rated Good. Responsive was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines, suitable training, respectful care and strong attention to people's health, choices and legal rights.
The home focused on helping men with learning difficulties or autism build skills, confidence and independence. People were supported to take part in community life, learn everyday skills and prepare for more independent accommodation.
The home had previously breached medicine safety requirements in 2016. Inspectors found this had been corrected, and the home met all the health and social care regulations at this inspection.
Building independence
Care planning focused on the whole person and on helping people gain skills, confidence and independence.
“The care planning process was designed to really get to know the whole person.” from the report
Community involvement
People were supported to take part in ordinary community activities, education, volunteering, sport and faith groups.
“People at the home were really included in their community and were well known in their neighbourhood.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicine systems had improved since the earlier inspection. Inspectors found safe storage, accurate records and safe administration.
“At this inspection we saw that there had been improvements made in this area and medication administration was now safe.” from the report
Respectful atmosphere
People were treated with respect and the home aimed to feel like an ordinary home rather than an institution.
“There was a positive and friendly atmosphere at the home with warm and friendly interactions between people.” from the report
Strong leadership
The manager had oversight of the home and used audits, feedback and an improvement plan to make changes.
“The registered manager had effective oversight of each aspect of the home through working alongside support staff, directing the homes culture, supervision, quality checks, unannounced night time visits and audits.” from the report
Larger than best-practice guidance
minorThe home was registered for up to 12 people and was larger than most domestic-style properties. Inspectors said the design and the home's approach reduced the negative impact, but the size remains something to consider.
“However, the service was in a large home which was larger than most domestic style properties and was registered for the support of up to 12 people.” from the report
- 01How would you assess whether your rehabilitation and independence-focused approach is suitable for my relative?
- 02What progress has each person made towards moving into more independent accommodation?
- 03How do you make sure medicines remain safe and that any pharmacist recommendations are followed?
- 04How do people and their families help review care plans and raise concerns?
- 05How do you reduce the impact of the home's size and keep it feeling like an ordinary home?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, with the first visit unannounced; the report also compares the findings with the previous inspection in March 2016. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 September 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 Meols Drive Care Home with Nursing
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Meols Drive Care Home with Nursing →
- September 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Meols Drive Care Home with Nursing →
- May 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 September 2014.
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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Most charge £980 to £1,230 a week. 37 can care for a couple. 8 years' experience on average.
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