CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Malthouse Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People said they felt safe. Inspectors found personalised risk assessments, enough staff, safe medicines arrangements, appropriate recruitment checks and suitable infection prevention measures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected in detail during this visit. Its previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected in detail during this visit. Its previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This key question was not inspected in detail during this visit. Its previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found robust management audits, approachable managers, staff training opportunities and a supportive culture. Staff views were mixed about recognition from the wider provider.
What inspectors found, October 2022
Rated Good; inspectors found safe care and supportive leadership, with mixed staff views about provider recognition.
This was an unannounced inspection on 26 September 2022. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals. They also observed care and checked care plans, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, personalised risk assessments and suitable infection control arrangements. People said they felt safe and received their medicines on time.
The home had an open and supportive culture. People, relatives and professionals found the managers approachable. Staff said staffing levels and activities had improved. There was mixed feedback from staff about recognition from the wider provider, and this was raised for follow-up.
Safe medicines
Medicines were given by trained and checked staff. Inspectors found medicines were stored correctly and people said they received them on time.
“Medicines were managed safely and were only administered by staff with the relevant training and competency checks.” from the report
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff on shift and observed prompt responses to call bells. Staffing levels had recently increased.
“There were enough staff on shift to meet people's needs.” from the report
Supportive culture
Staff described the home as friendly and supportive. People, relatives and professionals said managers were approachable and dealt with concerns.
“The home had a nurturing, supportive and cheerful culture.” from the report
Learning and improvement
Accidents and incidents were reviewed for themes, with learning shared. Staff were supported to gain new skills and qualifications.
“Lessons learnt were shared via handovers, team meetings and supervision.” from the report
Provider recognition
needs fixingStaff felt appreciated by the home's management, but views were mixed about recognition from the wider provider. Inspectors raised this with managers for follow-up, and a staff survey was under way.
“There was mixed feedback from staff about provider recognition for the work they did.” from the report
- 01What action was taken after inspectors found mixed staff views about recognition from the wider provider?
- 02What were the results of the staff survey that was under way during the inspection?
- 03How are people in end-of-corridor rooms supported to avoid social isolation?
- 04How have staffing levels and activities changed since the inspection?
- 05Which ratings were carried forward from the 2017 inspection rather than assessed during this visit?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led, including infection prevention and control; the other key-question ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection in 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 October 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, November 2017
The Malthouse Care Home was rated Good overall, with Outstanding responsive care; inspectors found kind, safe care and varied activities.
This was an unannounced inspection on 18 September 2017. It was the first inspection since the provider’s new registration in March 2016. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals. They also observed care and checked care plans, staff files, medicines records and other documents.
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people’s needs, safe medicines procedures and suitable recruitment checks. Staff understood people’s risks and supported their independence. People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect, and received suitable food and access to healthcare.
The strongest area was responsive care, rated Outstanding. People and relatives were involved in care decisions. Activities were varied and included links with the local community, outings and support for individual interests. The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Well-led.
Personalised activities
Staff looked for new information about people’s past interests and used it to create meaningful opportunities, including swimming and community activities.
“We gathered the new information and then linked it to activities held at our local swimming pool.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw friendly, considerate interactions. Staff supported people’s dignity, independence and choices throughout the day.
“We saw staff interacting with people in a caring and friendly way, promoting independence, dignity and choice at all times.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored, given and recorded safely. Staff who administered them had training and regular competency checks.
“Medicines administration records (MAR) were accurate. There were no unexplained gaps in the medicines administration records.” from the report
Strong leadership
Staff felt supported and valued. The home used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor quality and identify improvements.
“There was a culture of continuous learning and improvement.” from the report
Quality time when staff are absent
minorSome staff said that, on rare occasions, sickness at short notice meant they could not spend as much quality time with people as they wanted. They said the team still ensured people received the care they needed and remained safe.
“Some staff told us that on rare occasions, they were not always able to spend as much quality time with people as they desired when staff called in sick at the last minute.” from the report
- 01How do you maintain enough staff and meaningful time with residents when someone calls in sick at short notice?
- 02How are new residents’ past interests and personal goals found out and included in their care and activity plans?
- 03How often are medicines competency checks completed for staff who give medicines?
- 04How are residents and relatives involved when care plans and risk assessments are reviewed?
- 05What activities and community links are currently available for people who do not want to join group activities?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, and it was the first inspection since the provider’s new registration in March 2016. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 November 2017 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 The Malthouse Care Home
2 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2022Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- November 2017GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 15 March 2016.
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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15 live-in carers within about an hour of Dorset
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Most charge £1,040 to £1,340 a week. 11 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
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