Mountside Care Home

We undertook this comprehensive assessment to check on concerns we had received about peoples' safety and well-being since the last inspection in November 2022.

We did not identify any significant issues during this assessment, and the service has retained their rating of Good.

People and staff told us they would feel confident to raise any concerns and that these would be responded to by the management team. The provider had liaised with external health professionals to provide joined up care and treatment for people. This had promoted safe transitions for people moving between different services. People were safeguarded from harm by appropriately trained staff.

People may only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this is managed through the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We found staff and management worked within the MCA and understood when to apply for DoLS.

People received safe care and staff managed risks safely, responsively and effectively. Staff received an induction, training and support that enabled them to manage people’s health and social care effectively and in a responsive way. The home was clean and well maintained and provided a comfortable and safe environment. There is ongoing redecoration and upgrading of the premises, which is following a plan with timescales. Overall medicines were managed safely and people received their medicine as prescribed. However, the system for recording medicines refused after dispensing needs strengthening.

People’s health, care, wellbeing and communication needs were assessed, and staff supported them in line with their individual needs. Staff could describe the positive outcomes people achieved. People enjoyed their meals and were supported by staff to follow a healthy lifestyle. Staff treated people with kindness and compassion, and there was a positive and friendly culture in the service. People were encouraged to remain as independent as possible and there was a dedicated activity team that worked alongside the care team to promote mental and physical well-being.

Systems were in place that allowed people, relatives and staff to speak up and have their voices heard. The provider had good governance systems in place to ensure any improvements required were identified and actioned. Staff felt the management team were open and approachable, and there were regular opportunities for staff and management to discuss incidents or areas for improvement within the service to ensure lessons were learnt.