The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Maryland Care Home

Maryland, 29 Townsend Drive, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5RF (01727) 853601

Provided and run by:
The Sisters of Mercy of the Union of Great Britain

All Inspections

15 July 2013

During a routine inspection

We identified concerns as part of a previous inspection about the care people received in the unit where people with a dementia were cared for. There was also a lack of information written in people's care plans.

As part of the recent inspection we found that care had improved, however, care plans still needed improvement.

People we spoke to were pleased with the care they received and found the staff to be friendly and helpful. One person told us, 'The carers always help us and we are not left waiting for too long if we press the buzzer' and that, 'there are activities available for us, although it has been a little difficult recently with changes'.

We observed that staff treated people in a manner which was kind and respected their dignity.

The home was undergoing refurbishment which was expected to continue for a further six months. The home was generally tidy, although we observed that some areas were not as clean as they should be, for example, bathrooms and sluice rooms, and some of the equipment had not been cleaned to an appropriate standard.

We observed that people appeared to have had their personal care needs met and that they were dressed comfortably and appropriately.

The staff we spoke to, had a good understanding of people's needs and how to meet them. However, from our review of care plans, we found that they were not consistently updated and did not always reflect people's current needs.

Staff told us how they enjoyed working at the home and felt supported by management.

10 August 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

The people who use the service told us that they were very happy with their care. They told us that although the staff were very busy they always found time to smile and chat. They told us that their care was carried out in a manner that they liked and made them feel comfortable. We were told by one personthat they liked the peaceful atmosphere the home offered. They said that their religion was important to them and that like to use the Chapel throughout the day.

The relatives we spoke with told us that they were happy with their relatives' care and that when they visited they were made welcome. They said that their relative was always fresh and well groomed. They told us that the home keeps them informed of any changes in the care of their relative.

We were told that the food was good and that there was always a good choice of main courses and snacks throughout the day. People and their relatives said that the home offered a safe place for people to live in.

17 November 2011

During a routine inspection

The people we spoke with on 15 November said that the staff always asked them how they would like things to be done and always respected their privacy and treated them with respect. People said they were very happy with the way care was provided in the home and that they could not have better treatment. They said that staff always came promptly if they used their call alarm and that they were involved in planning their own care.The people we spoke with said they felt safe at the home and that staff listened to any concerns they might have. They said they would not hesitate to make a complaint if they had one. People said there were always enough staff on duty and they never felt rushed or had to wait for care to be provided. They said that the staff were competent and always acted professionally.