We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by an inspector, a specialist nurse advisor and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The Experts by Experience visited the service to speak with people living there, and then spoke to people’s relatives by phone to request feedback. These calls took place in the week after the inspection visit.

Service and service type

Dr French Memorial Home is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

We also sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. In addition, we reviewed recent communications and statutory notifications received by CQC from the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager, the assistant manager, three care staff, the chef and the activities co-ordinator. We also spoke with four people who lived at the service and one family member who was visiting.

We looked at seven care records. We looked at various documents relating to the management of the service which included medicine administration records, staff training, supervision records and quality assurance records. There were no new staff recruited since the last inspection, but we viewed documentation related to a volunteer.

After the inspection we spoke to four relatives and obtained more information from the registered manager and provider regarding staff meetings, audits, supervisions and policies.