# Merit Healthcare Ltd

Merit Healthcare Ltd is a CQC-regulated home-care agency in Swindon.

## CQC Ratings

| Key question | Rating |
| --- | --- |
| Overall | Good |
| Safe | Good |
| Effective | Good |
| Caring | Good |
| Responsive | Good |
| Well-led | Good |

Rating published: 03/06/2025

## Practical info

- Postcode: SN4 7AY
- Registered manager: Wheeler, Cecily
- Local authority: Wiltshire
- Region: South West
- City: Swindon
- Last CQC check: 03/Jun/2025 - 00:00

## Inspection findings

### Other

- Finding
  - Evidence: Management restructure and audit systems had improved oversight and governance since the previous inspection.
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Evidence: People and relatives felt safe and said staff had the right skills and knowledge to meet their needs.
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Evidence: Effective infection prevention and control systems including PPE training and updated guidance compliance.
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Evidence: Provider completed thorough pre-employment checks including criminal record checks and references before staff started work.
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Evidence: Effective safeguarding systems in place with staff demonstrating good understanding of abuse prevention.
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Evidence: Risk assessments balanced protecting people with supporting independence and were reviewed and updated as needs changed.
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Evidence: Medicines administration records fully completed and electronic system introduced enabling prompt follow-up of any gaps in recording.
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- **governance** _(moderate)_
  - Evidence: The management team did not always communicate effectively with staff and health and social care professionals or create a culture that empowered staff.
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- **communication_with_families** _(moderate)_
  - Evidence: 2 professionals raised concerns that communication from the management team had been poor at times, which had led to an inconsistent service and a delay in an assessment.
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- **leadership** _(moderate)_
  - Evidence: The majority of staff did not feel supported or valued by the management team. Of the 11 staff that provided feedback to us, 9 raised concerns about support from the management.
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Evidence: The provider engaged with CQC after inspection and gave assurances about safe care and treatment.
  - Published: 2022-10-21
- Finding
  - Evidence: The service had built working relationships with the local authority, GP practices and pharmacies.
  - Published: 2022-10-21
- Finding
  - Evidence: Environmental risk assessments of people's homes had been completed.
  - Published: 2022-10-21

### safe

- Finding
  - Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuse; Learning lessons when things go wrong
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Staffing and recruitment
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Preventing and controlling infection
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Using medicines safely
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuse; Learning lessons when things go wrong
  - Published: 2022-10-21
- Finding
  - Staffing and recruitment
  - Published: 2022-10-21
- Finding
  - Preventing and controlling infection
  - Published: 2022-10-21
- Finding
  - Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management
  - Published: 2022-10-21
- Finding
  - Using medicines safely
  - Published: 2022-10-21

### well_led

- Finding
  - How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candour
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Engaging and involving people, staff and partners; Promoting a positive, open and empowering culture
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements; Continuous learning and improving care
  - Published: 2023-08-17
- Finding
  - Working in partnership with others
  - Published: 2022-10-21
- Finding
  - Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staff; Continuous learning and improving care
  - Published: 2022-10-21
- Finding
  - How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candour
  - Published: 2022-10-21
- Finding
  - Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements; Promoting a positive culture
  - Published: 2022-10-21

## Source

Data published by the [Care Quality Commission](https://www.cqc.org.uk/) under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Canonical page: https://homecarecompass.co.uk/agency/1-3001630780

HomeCare Compass is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the CQC.