Melford Court Care Home provides accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 52 older people some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 38 people using the service. The service is situated in the village of Long Melford on the edge of the town of Sudbury in Suffolk.

Melford Court Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. This comprehensive inspection took place on 23 May 2018 and was unannounced.

This was the first inspection to the service since a change in registration in September 2017 when Stow Healthcare Group purchased the home.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with 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.

There were sufficient staff to meet people's needs safely and effectively. The service used effective recruitment procedures to ensure staff were suitable for the job role they were working in. Staff completed a thorough induction and received regular training and supervision to support them in their roles.

People's needs were assessed before they moved into the home. These needs were met by staff who had the skills and knowledge to deliver effective support. People were supported to eat and drink enough to have a balanced diet and access healthcare support when required. The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People received a service that was caring. Staff knew people's needs well and were responsive and supportive. Staff treated people with dignity and respect. The provider and staff sought to gain people's views and act on them. The service operated an electronic care documentation system. Care plans and risk assessments were person-centred, and reflected the needs of each individual.

People who lived at the home, relatives and staff told us the service was well led. The registered provider's vision and values were embedded into the home and culture. Governance systems were effective in monitoring service delivery. Management encouraged people and their families to be involved and engaged with the service. The registered manager had developed links with the local community.