Melba Lodge Limited

At this inspection we found appropriate procedures were in place to support people where risks to their health and welfare had been identified. We also found that robust recruitment checks were being carried out before staff were employed to work at the home.

The home had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. The registered manager was also the registered provider of the home. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

There were safeguarding and whistle blowing procedures in place and staff had a clear understanding of these procedures. There was enough staff and staff were attentive to people's needs. People received support with medicines when required. There were arrangements in place to deal with foreseeable emergencies and there were systems in place to monitor infection control, the safety of the premises and equipment used within the home.

Staff had completed an induction when they started work and received training relevant to people's needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. People were encouraged to eat healthy meals and to cook for themselves. Staff monitored people's health and welfare and where there were concerns people were referred to appropriate health professionals.

People were provided with appropriate information about the service. This ensured they were aware of the standard of care they should expect. People's privacy and dignity was respected. People had been consulted about their care and support needs. These needs were assessed before they moved into the home. People's care plans included sections on their diverse needs. Staff had received training on equality and diversity during their induction. There was a wide range of activities for people to partake in if they wished to do so. The home had a complaints procedure in place and people said they were confident their

complaints would be listened to and acted on. None of the people living at the home required support with end of life care. However the registered manager knew which care providers to contact to access this type of care and support if it was required.

The provider recognised the importance of regularly monitoring the quality of the service. Regular health and safety, medicines, fire safety and incidents and accidents audits were carried out at the home. They worked with other care providers and professional bodies to make sure people received good care. The provider considered people, their relatives and staff views of the service through regular satisfaction surveys. There was an out of hours on call system in operation that ensured management support and advice was always available for staff when they needed it. Staff said they liked working at the home and they received good support from the registered manager and deputy manager.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found