Mount View House

This report details a recent inspection of Mount View House, a residential care home. The inspection focused on five key areas: safety, effectiveness, caring approach, responsiveness, and leadership. Overall, the inspectors found that residents are well-supported, and their needs are met in a way that promotes their independence and quality of life. The report highlights areas of good practice, while also identifying specific points for development to further enhance the service.

On safety, the home is generally well-managed, with robust systems for assessing and mitigating risks. Residents and their families reported feeling safe. While medication administration records sometimes had minor inaccuracies and cleaning records were not always consistently maintained, the provider has taken steps to address these issues. The home was clean, and infection control measures were in place, although some minor property damage was noted, with assurances of ongoing repairs. Staffing levels were maintained above safe levels, with plans to reduce reliance on agency staff and improve staff retention.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents’ needs and choices are well assessed and reflected in person-centred care plans. Staff receive regular training and supervision, and the service collaborates effectively with healthcare professionals. While the majority of staff are well-trained, some families noted that agency staff occasionally struggle to build the same rapport. There were also some challenges with ensuring ingredients were available for planned meals, though alternative food options were always provided.

The caring aspect of the service is a strong point. Staff are noted to treat residents with dignity and respect, actively involving them in decisions about their care and daily routines. Residents' individuality, spiritual, cultural, and sexual needs are considered. Improvements in residents' communication skills were observed, and staff are supported in using various communication tools. Many residents and their families expressed positive views on the compassionate nature of the staff.

Regarding how responsive the service is, residents are supported to access community activities, though staffing limitations sometimes impacted the consistency of these outings. The home works well with external agencies to ensure appropriate support. Plans are in place to adapt the environment to meet residents' needs, including specialist equipment. The service also adheres to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, ensuring decisions are made in residents' best interests.

Finally, on how well-led the service is, leadership is actively involved in monitoring and improving the service. Systems are in place for learning from incidents, and audits are conducted, although recent medication audits had not been completed. The management team is focused on staff recruitment and retention to build a more stable team. Feedback from staff regarding morale was mixed, but positive working relationships with visiting professionals were noted.