Montrose Hall

Montrose Hall is a purpose-built care home providing personal care and accommodation across two floors for up to 41 people, including individuals living with dementia. The recent inspection report highlights that residents are supported by a dedicated team that assesses needs prior to admission and involves families in care planning. The service maintains a welcoming environment where residents have access to various communal areas, a garden, and activities tailored to their personal histories and preferences.

Staff protect residents from avoidable harm, understand how to report safety concerns, and follow proper recruitment checks. Medicines are managed safely through correct administration records and effective audits. Infection control is handled well with sufficient personal protective equipment and clear visiting arrangements. However, while staffing levels are generally considered sufficient by relatives and management, some family members noted that staff appear busy or that more administrative support might be beneficial.

Care is delivered based on best practices, with staff receiving appropriate inductions, regular training, and opportunities like apprenticeships. Dietary needs are met effectively, including the use of show-plates to help residents choose meals and a new herb garden project. On the other hand, the home noted that some pre-admission assessments initially took place over the phone due to the pandemic, and some external dietetic guidance lacked specific timeframes for food and monitoring charts, which management addressed. Additionally, while the service follows the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, some historical legal deprivation of liberty applications were awaiting local authority authorization, and some staff expressed a wish for more bespoke training in completing capacity assessments.

Staff form genuine, caring relationships with residents, treating them with respect and preserving their dignity and privacy. They understand individual preferences, hobbies, and personal histories, ensuring residents remain well-presented and are supported to maintain independence. Interactions observed during the inspection confirmed that staff are attentive, link arms with residents, and offer regular choices regarding daily activities and mealtimes.

Care plans are personalized and regularly reviewed to reflect residents' wishes, backgrounds, and cultural needs. The physical environment features themed areas like a cinema room currently being redeveloped into a bingo room, and dementia-friendly signage and clutter-free corridors to help residents move around safely. Nevertheless, inspectors noted a crack in a large communal lift mirror that had been taped over, which the manager was asked to replace.

The home benefits from effective oversight and monitoring systems, with managers analyzing accidents, incidents, and feedback to drive improvements. Staff work well with external health and social agencies to provide consistent and timely support. Although there was no registered manager in post at the time of the inspection, the provider and management team maintained robust governance and proactive communication to ensure ongoing quality and safety.