Marie Louise House care home awarded “Good” by CQC
The team at Marie Louise House Care Home in Romsey are celebrating, having been awarded “Good” in their latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.
The 46-bed care home was rated “Good” in all five key lines of the CQC’s enquiry: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led. The home has invested significantly in electronic software to assist with the implementation, monitoring and analysis of care plans and staff training. The home has also employed a permanent, full-time trainer who continuously supports staff, specifically around residents’ individual needs, and is on-hand every day to answer questions.
During the latest unannounced inspection which started 31 January 2022, the CQC spoke to residents and their families, as well as numerous staff members. As a result, they praised the home in the report, saying it had “observed safe staffing levels throughout the inspection and staff appeared unhurried and responsive to people. People and their relatives told us they felt safe and liked living at the home” and “were positive about the quality of care and support people received”. Residents and their families “knew who they could talk to if they had any worries or concerns”. In addition, the report said “leaders and the culture they created promoted high-quality, person-centred care” and “an open, fair culture.”
Comments from relatives included in the report are, “I am completely confident that my dad is happy and secure in this environment”, “It is top quality, we are very impressed with the care” and “I am very happy with the home and care my mum receives.”
Sue Arquier, the Marie Louise House care home’s registered manager, was praised in the report, along with her deputy manager, for her “open door policy to discuss anything.” Staff said “we are always listened to and made to feel appreciated and part of a team.”
Sue Arquier said: “We are back where we belong. Over the past two years, Covid caused many difficulties. We are thrilled that our determined hard work and investment in the processes and practices in looking after our wonderful residents has been recognised. Our investment in an electronic auditing system that works on mobile devices means less time is spent filling out physical paperwork and more time providing the personal care to our residents that we are so passionate about.
“The impact of having a staff trainer continuously at the home has made a fundamentally positive difference. Staff receive training around each resident’s specific needs and know who to ask if they ever have any questions. Our care is more bespoke and better than ever before.”
She added, “But we’re not stopping here. We are always looking at ways to improve, innovate and develop. We are science and research-led and new research is always coming out on how to look after older people and those with dementia. Only 2-3% of care homes are awarded “outstanding” by the CQC, but that is what we are aiming for.”
The care home is run by Healthcare Management Trust (HMT), a charity which provides health and social care while reinvesting any surplus income back into dementia care research. HMT’s unique, research-led approach offers residents a holistic and “family” approach to the physical and mental well-being of each resident. Members of each “family”, where possible, are involved in purposeful day-to-day domestic activities which provide social interactions, value and routine to their day. The preferences, quirks, history and personality traits of each individual are understood and valued by staff. As a result, staff forge genuine and long-lasting relationships with both the resident and their relatives.
To read the full CQC report please visit this link.