People’s experience of using this service:

The service had deteriorated in some areas since our last inspection.

People’s medicines were managed safely and properly. However, protocols were not in place for medicines where a variable dosage could be administered or medicines for use ‘as and when required’. There were areas of the home and items of furniture that did not meet infection prevention and control guidelines. People received personalised care that was responsive to their needs and preferences. However, we found care plans were not always accurate and up to date. We received mixed feedback about staffing levels from people who used the service and staff. People’s capacity to consent had not been assessed in line with legal requirements. There were areas of the home which required maintenance and decoration. The provider had auditing systems to ensure they met legal requirements. However, these had not identified the shortfalls we identified during our inspection

We received positive feedback from people about Morvern Care Centre. People told us it was safe and that staff were kind and treated people well. Staff understood the importance of providing person-centred care and treated everyone as individuals, respecting their abilities and promoting independence. People had opportunity to access a range of activities including access to the local community. Staff had built positive caring relationships with people they supported and their families. Staff liaised with other health care professionals to ensure people's safety and meet their health needs. We received positive feedback about how the service was managed.

More information is in the full report.

Rating at last inspection: Good (Report published 20 July 2017).

About the service: Morvern Care Centre is registered to provide care for up to 60 older people. It is situated on the promenade in Cleveleys. The home is a large converted hotel which is split into three distinct areas; one residential and two for people who are living with dementia. Lifts provide access to each floor. There is a communal lounge and dining area in each part of the home.

Why we inspected: This inspection was brought forward due to concerns raised by the local authority about the environment and infection prevention and control issues.

Follow up: The next scheduled inspection will be in keeping with the overall rating. We will continue to monitor information we receive from and about the service. We may inspect sooner if we receive concerning information about the service.

Morvern Care Centre is registered to provide care for up to 60 people. Accommodation is on three floors with three passenger lifts for access between the floors. There are three separate units all with their own communal areas. One unit supported older people. Two units supported people living with dementia. The home is situated close to shops, buses and trams, the beach and the local facilities of Cleveleys.

At the last inspection the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Although a number of people had limited verbal communication and were unable to converse with us, we were able to speak with nine people who lived at the home and three people visiting their relatives. People who lived at the home told us they felt safe and were happy with their care and liked the staff who looked after them. We observed staff providing support to people throughout our inspection visit. We saw they were kind and patient and supported people in their care safely. One person who lived at the home said, “I have been here some time now and is suits me as the staff are excellent.”

We saw staff assisting people with mobility problems. They were kind and patient and assisted people safely.

The service had sufficient staffing levels in place to provide support people required. We saw staff members could undertake tasks supporting people without feeling rushed. People who lived at the home told us staff were responsive to their needs.

We found staff had been recruited safely, appropriately trained and supported. They had skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and social needs. Staff spoken with told us they were happy with the training they received.

We found the service had systems in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report unsafe care or abusive practices.

We looked around the building and found it had been maintained, was clean and hygienic and a safe place for people to live. We found equipment had been serviced and maintained as required.

We found medication procedures at the home were safe. Staff responsible for the administration of medicines had received training to ensure they had the competency and skills required. Medicines were safely kept with appropriate arrangements for storing in place.

People told us they were happy with the variety and choice of meals available to them. We saw regular snacks and drinks were provided between meals to ensure people received adequate nutrition and hydration.

People had access to healthcare professionals and their healthcare needs were met. We saw the service had responded promptly when people had experienced health problems.

People who lived at the home had access to advocacy services. This ensured their interests were represented by professionals outside of the service to act on their behalf if needed.

Staff knew people they supported and provided a personalised service in a caring and professional manner. Care plans were organised and had identified the care and support people required. We found they were informative about care people had received.

The service had a complaints procedure which was made available to people on their admission to the home and their relatives. People we spoke with told us they were happy and had no complaints.

The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included regular audits and relative surveys to seek their views about the service provided.

The inspection visit at The Movern was undertaken on the 24th & 27th February 2015 and was unannounced.

There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. 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.

Morvern Care Centre is registered to provide care for up to 60 people. Accommodation is on three floors with three passenger lifts for access between the floors. There are three separate units all with their own communal areas. One unit supported older people. Two units supported people living with dementia. The home is situated close to shops, buses and trams, the beach and the local facilities of Cleveleys. There were 56 People living at the home at the time of the inspection.

At the last inspection 10th December 2013 the service was meeting the requirements of the regulations that were inspected at that time.

At this inspection in February 2015 we found systems were in place to protect people against abuse. By talking with staff and looking at safeguarding adults training documentation, we found staff and the registered manager were aware of the procedure to follow should they suspect people were at risk. People who lived at the home and relatives we spoke with told us they felt safe and their relatives were well cared for.

We looked at staffing levels in all three units at the service. We found by talking with staff and from our observations there was a sufficient mix of staff to support the people who lived at the home.

Safe recruitment procedures were followed and staff said that they undertook an induction training programme which included time to read the policies and procedures of the home. One staff member said, “The process was thorough and all checks had to be done.”

People’s care and support needs had been assessed before they moved into the home. Care records we looked at contained people’s preferences, interests, likes and dislikes and these had been recorded in their care plans.

Comments from people about the quality of the service were mainly positive. We found choices of meals were available. If people did not like the choice on offer alternative meals were provided. This was confirmed by talking with staff and people who lived at the home.

We found the kitchen area clean and tidy, with sufficient fresh fruit and vegetables available for the people to have a healthy diet.

We observed people were relaxed and free to walk around the premises. Staff engaged with people in a caring and supportive manner.

We observed staff ensured people’s privacy and dignity were protected. For example, staff knocked on people’s doors and tended to people who required support with personal care in a dignified manner.

The registered manager had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service. Audits were undertaken every three months which were comprehensive covering, staffing and training, the environment and person centred care. The audits we looked at identified areas that could be explored or improved to provide a better service.