Merse House

1. To ensure people experience meaningful choice and control at mealtimes, the provider should take account of best practice by offering real-time, visual meal options and providing a clear alternative menu for those who do not wish the main choices. In line with infection prevention and control best practice, staff should ensure people are supported and prompted to carry out effective hand hygiene before and after meals. This will support people to make informed choices while promoting their safety, dignity and overall health and wellbeing. This is to ensure care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards which state that: "I can choose suitably presented and healthy meals and snacks, including fresh fruit and vegetables and participate in menu planning". (HSCS 1.33) and “Any treatment or intervention that I experience is safe and effective.” (HSCS 1.24)

2. The provider should ensure that oral care products, including toothbrushes, are stored in line with infection prevention and control best practice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This should include sharing and implementing relevant good practice guidance with staff. This is to ensure care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards which state that: “Any treatment or intervention that I experience is safe and effective.” (HSCS 1.24) and “I have confidence in people because they are trained, competent and skilled, are able to reflect on their practice and follow their professional and organisational codes.” (HSCS 3.14)

1. To ensure effective leadership and management arrangements are in place, the provider should review and strengthen staffing contingency planning. Contingency plans should be clearly defined, regularly reviewed and responsive to service demands, ensuring that quality assurance systems remain effective and achievable in practice. This is to ensure care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state that: “I benefit from a culture of continuous improvement, with the organisation having robust and transparent quality assurance processes.” (HSCS 4.19)

1. To support safety, dignity and independence, the provider should ensure that appropriate and accessible means of calling for help are available in all communal spaces. This is to ensure care and support is consistent with Health and Social Care Standards which state: “My care and support meets my needs and is right for me” (HSCS 1.19) and “My care and support is provided in a planned and safe way, including if there is an emergency or unexpected event.” (HSCS 4.14)

1. So people can be sure quality assurance drives change and improvement where necessary the service provider should consider inclusion of self-evaluation using the quality framework for care homes for older people within the quality assurance system. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards which state: "I benefit from a culture of continuous improvement, with the organisation having robust and transparent quality assurance processes". (HSCS 4.19)

1. The provider should ensure that the service addresses maintenance and environmental needs identified in the service action plans in a timely manner. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards which state, "I experience an environment that is well looked after with clean, tidy and well-maintained premises, furnishings and equipment." (HSCS 5.22)