Brook Meadows House

The building consists of the ground floor, providing care for up to 31 people living with dementia. The first floor accommodates up to 30 people who are in the rehabilitation phase after being discharged from hospital before returning home, or they are being assessed and waiting for suitable accommodation or long-term care. At the time of our inspection there were 46 people using the service.

We observed, and people told us they received safe care from staff who knew them well. There was a safeguarding policy in place and the registered manager, and staff knew how to identify and report concerns. The service had enough staff to meet the needs of people using the service. Staff had been recruited safely and pre employment checks carried out.

Risks to people had been assessed and updated in people's care plans when their needs changed. Medicines were administered safely by trained members of staff. Staff had received an induction and training to enable them to meet people's needs. Supervisions, appraisals and competency assessments for staff were carried out. Staff felt supported by the senior team.

We observed staff wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately. Staff had access to PPE and there were effective infection control measures in place.

People's nutritional needs were met, and additional support was given as required. The food provided was fresh and nutritious. Staff were kind and caring and people and their relatives confirmed this. We observed staff responding to people's needs with dignity and respect. People and relatives knew who to speak to if they had any concerns or complaints to raise.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. However, we have made a recommendation about the current mental capacity assessments in place as they had been ticked for multiple decisions rather than assessed for 1 specific decision at a time.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. We considered this guidance as there were people using the service who have a learning disability and or who are autistic.