'Kind, compassionate and person-centred' - New Care Quality Commission inspection for Blackpool care home

A Blackpool care home has retained its ‘Good’ rating across all five inspection categories, with inspectors praising staff for their kind, compassionate and person-centred approach.

Merwood Rest Home, on Queens Promenade, is run by As U Care Ltd and provides residential care for older people who require personal care. The latest assessment, carried out on July 31 and August 1, 2026, found the home continued to meet a good standard. The report was published on October 8, 2026.

Inspectors rated the service ‘Good’ for safety, effectiveness, caring, responsiveness and leadership. At the time of the assessment, 16 people were living at the home.

Staff praised for compassionate care

The assessment highlighted a warm, relaxed and homely atmosphere, with staff demonstrating a good understanding of residents’ individual needs, preferences and wishes. People and their relatives consistently described staff as kind and caring. One resident said: “I can’t fault the staff; nothing is ever too much trouble for them.”

Another resident commented: “The manager and staff are lovely and kind. I’m so happy to have moved here.” Inspectors observed staff treating residents with dignity and respect, taking time to explain what they were doing and allowing people to respond at their own pace.

Residents were supported to maintain their independence and make choices about their daily routines, including when to get up and go to bed, what activities to participate in and where to eat their meals. The report also praised the personalised bedrooms, opportunities to maintain relationships with family and friends, and activities tailored to residents’ interests.

Safety and care standards

Inspectors found robust recruitment procedures, sufficient staffing levels and safe systems for managing medicines. Staff demonstrated an understanding of safeguarding procedures and how to identify and report potential abuse. Residents were also involved in care planning and decisions about managing risks, helping them maintain their independence.

Care plans had recently been reviewed and rewritten, with residents and their families involved in the process. Staff used detailed handovers to share information about people’s health, wellbeing and changing needs.

Residents were offered homemade meals, with choices and alternatives available to accommodate individual preferences and dietary requirements. One resident told inspectors: “The food here is delicious and I look forward to mealtimes.”

Improvements identified

While the overall findings were positive, inspectors noted some areas requiring attention. Parts of the building appeared worn and in need of refurbishment, while some areas needed decluttering to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.

Management had recognised these issues and developed plans to address them. The provider was also continuing to strengthen its governance systems, including introducing a digital care planning system to improve oversight and record-keeping.

A supportive team

Inspectors found evidence of a stable staff team, with the home not relying on agency workers to cover shifts. The registered manager said they were proud of “having an amazing team”, adding that resident safety remained their priority.

Staff also spoke positively about the management, with one describing the new manager as supportive and approachable. The report concluded that residents received caring, person-centred support, with staff working together to promote their independence, dignity and wellbeing.