CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Montrose House
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective systems for safeguarding, risk assessment, staffing, medicines and infection control. Recruitment checks were in place and staffing levels were judged suitable for people's needs.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- Staff had strong mental health knowledge and training. People received very good support with nutrition, hydration, physical health and decisions made under the Mental Capacity Act.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives described staff as kind, respectful and considerate. Inspectors saw staff promoting privacy, dignity, choice and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and regularly reviewed. People were supported with interests, activities and access to the community, and complaints were dealt with effectively.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- Inspectors found strong leadership, high staff morale and an open culture. Quality checks identified areas for improvement and actions were followed through.
What inspectors found, May 2018
Montrose House was rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptionally effective, caring and well-led support, with safety, dignity and responsiveness rated Good.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 12 April 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living there, relatives, staff and health and social care professionals. They observed care and reviewed care records, recruitment, training and quality checks.
The home supports up to 10 people with long-term mental health conditions. Inspectors found people were safe, treated with kindness and involved in decisions about their care. Staff understood people's needs, supported their independence and responded to concerns and complaints.
The home was particularly strong in supporting people's health, nutrition and hydration. Staff worked well with health professionals and followed advice. Leadership and quality monitoring were judged exceptionally strong.
The overall rating improved from Good at the previous inspection in August 2015 to Outstanding. Safe, Caring and Responsive remained Good. Effective and Well-led improved to Outstanding. The report says the home met all the fundamental standards inspected against.
Strong leadership
The home had visible leadership, supportive management and staff who felt valued. Inspectors found a clear focus on learning and continual improvement.
“Montrose House was exceptionally well led.” from the report
Skilled mental health support
Staff had enhanced knowledge of mental health and received ongoing training, supervision and development opportunities.
“Care staff were competent and highly skilled with enhanced understanding of how to support people's mental health needs.” from the report
Nutrition and choice
People could choose when and what to eat, and were encouraged to take part in food preparation. Staff adapted support for people at risk of weight loss or malnutrition.
“Care staff through their proactive and enabling approach to nutrition and hydration achieved positive outcomes for people.” from the report
Personalised care
Care records included people's preferences, interests, life history and support needs. Staff knew people well and encouraged meaningful activities and independence.
“People received care that was personalised and responsive to their needs.” from the report
Good partnership working
The home worked closely with health and social care professionals. Staff acted on advice and supported people during hospital admissions and healthcare appointments.
“The service worked effectively with professionals from other care settings to ensure people's needs were met consistently and effectively.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure there are enough staff during the busiest times of day?
- 02How do you check that medicines are given correctly and that staff remain competent?
- 03How would you support my relative's particular mental health needs and changes in their physical health?
- 04How are residents involved in choosing meals, activities and daily routines?
- 05What progress has been made with the planned garden improvements and further advance care planning training?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions; the previous overall rating was Good in August 2015. This explanation was written from the published report of 31 May 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 Montrose House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- May 2018Outstandingcurrent ratingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- October 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 December 2010.
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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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.