Meridian Health and Social Care - Preston received a Good rating across all five key questions on its first CQC inspection, supporting 87 people with personal care. The service demonstrated person-centred, safe, and well-managed care with strong leadership, effective governance systems, and positive feedback from people and their relatives.
Strengths
· People felt safe and protected from abuse; staff had good understanding of safeguarding procedures.
· Consistent deployment of regular carers to the same people, building trust and relationships.
· Effective recruitment procedures with thorough character checks.
· Robust medication management systems with regular auditing and staff training.
· Strong infection prevention and control measures including PPE, testing, and shielding compliance.
Quality-Statement breakdown (19)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management; Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough; access healthcare services; working with other agenciesGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversity; promoting privacy, dignity and independenceGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles; continuous learning; duty of candourGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood