CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Merafield View Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control. They found arrangements for visitors, social distancing, safe admissions, protective equipment, testing, cleaning and managing possible outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Merafield View Nursing Home was rated Good overall; inspectors were assured about infection prevention, but this visit did not rate wider care.
The inspection took place on 25 February 2021 and was announced. It was a targeted visit during the coronavirus pandemic, focused on infection prevention and control in the home.
Inspectors were assured that visitors were screened, given protective equipment and tested. They also found measures for social distancing, safe admissions, correct use of protective equipment, regular cleaning and testing.
The home had infection control audits and an outbreak plan. Staff had received training, and an external clinical lead visited weekly to review people's clinical needs. The overall service rating was Good, but this inspection did not rate the other areas of care.
Visitor infection checks
A staff member was responsible for screening people entering the home, providing protective equipment and carrying out lateral flow tests.
“Visitors were prevented from catching and spreading infection.” from the report
Infection control planning
The home had an up-to-date policy, regular audits and a contingency plan for an outbreak. Staff were confident about what action to take.
“Should an outbreak occur the registered manager had a robust contingency plan in place and staff were confident about what action to take.” from the report
Support for wellbeing
Activities were adapted during restrictions to help people stay connected with friends and families. Staff wellbeing was also supported through meetings, one-to-one sessions and therapy sessions.
“Innovative approaches had been taken, by a passionate activities co-ordinator to support people to continue to enjoy a fulfilled life, despite the current national restrictions.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened for symptoms, provided with protective equipment and tested?
- 02How often are people and staff tested, and how are the results recorded?
- 03How are cleaning routines for high-touch areas and people's rooms checked?
- 04What would happen if there was an infection outbreak, and how would families be kept informed?
- 05How are risk assessments reviewed for people and staff in high-risk groups?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control within Safe; the other areas of care were not inspected during this visit. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 March 2021 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, January 2020
Rated Good overall, with Outstanding caring; inspectors found kind, effective care but some records needed strengthening.
This was an unannounced inspection over two days. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and health professionals. They observed care and checked care plans, medicines, recruitment, training and management records.
The home was rated Good for safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and leadership. Medicines, infection control, safeguarding and recruitment were managed safely. People received effective support with health, food, communication and activities.
Caring was rated Outstanding. Inspectors found exceptionally kind staff who knew people well and supported their dignity, independence, relationships and personal wishes. The home remained Good overall, the same as at the previous inspection in 2017.
Inspectors found that care plans did not always record the detailed knowledge staff had about people's needs and preferences. Some risk assessments needed more detail, and the system for tracking staff training needed improvement. The home acted on these points during or after the inspection.
Kind and respectful staff
People, relatives and professionals described staff as exceptionally caring. Staff knew people well and often went beyond their usual duties to support their happiness and wellbeing.
“People were supported by exceptionally kind and caring staff who knew them well.” from the report
Positive health outcomes
The home supported people to improve their health, skin condition, weight, mobility and wellbeing. Staff worked closely with health professionals and followed their advice.
“People were supported to achieve fantastic health outcomes.” from the report
Safe medicines and infection control
Medicines were stored, given and recorded safely. The home was clean, and staff used suitable infection control equipment.
“Medicines were stored safely and administered as prescribed.” from the report
Personal activities and relationships
People were offered activities and one-to-one time suited to their interests and needs. Families and the local community were welcomed.
“People were supported to go out where they were able to and wanted to.” from the report
Strong end of life care
End of life plans recorded people's wishes in detail. Staff had relevant training and the home had strong links with hospice professionals.
“Merafield View had a reputation amongst professionals of providing excellent end of life care.” from the report
Care plans lacked detail
needs fixingCare plans did not always reflect the detailed knowledge staff had about people's preferences and how their care should be delivered. The manager showed inspectors a more detailed plan and set a timetable for reviews.
“Care plans held information about life histories but did not in all cases reflect the level of detailed knowledge care staff and nurses knew about people and how they liked their care delivered.” from the report
Some risk assessments needed more detail
needs fixingInspectors found gaps in risk assessments about catheter and stoma care, and risks linked to significant weight loss. These assessments were rewritten by the second day and staff were updated.
“We identified where further detail could be added to specific risk assessments around catheter and stoma care, and where risks were apparent for people who had suffered significant weight loss.” from the report
Staffing could be tight
needs fixingTwo staff members said staffing levels had sometimes only just met people's needs while vacancies were being covered. Inspectors did not see an impact on people's safety or wellbeing during the inspection.
“However, two staff said that sometimes staffing levels had been only just able to meet people's needs.” from the report
Training records needed improvement
minorThe system for recording staff training did not clearly show when training was due. The home designed a new tracking method after inspectors gave feedback.
“We fed back to the registered manager the system for recording training was not effective as it did not flag up when staff were due for training.” from the report
- 01How have you updated care plans so they record the detailed information staff know about each person's care preferences?
- 02What changes have you made to the system that tracks when staff training is due?
- 03How do you make sure there are enough staff on each floor when there are vacancies or staff absence?
- 04How are risk assessments for catheter care, stoma care and weight loss reviewed and kept up to date?
- 05How will you involve my relative in decisions about activities, food, communication and end of life care?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, including care, accommodation, records, staffing and management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 January 2020 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 Merafield View Nursing Home
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2020Goodstayed Good
- June 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 June 2015.
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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