Folkestone Nursing Home

Updated 13 December 2022

The inspection

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection, we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection team consisted of two inspectors 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.

Service and service type

Folkestone Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Folkestone Nursing Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people who used the service and 2 relatives. We spoke with 6 staff including the registered manager, a nurse, 3 care staff and the activities co-ordinator. We looked at a range of management records including accidents and incidents, medicines for 4 people, quality audits and building safety certificates. We reviewed 4 people’s care records including risk assessments and 4 staff recruitment records. After the site visit, we continued to liaise with the service. The registered manager sent us documentation we asked for and clarified any queries we had.

Updated 13 December 2022

About the service

Folkestone Nursing Home provides nursing and personal care for up to 45 older people who may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection 42 people were living at the home. The service is provided in an adapted building spread across three floors, each accessible by a lift.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People had risk assessments in place to reduce the risks of harm they may face. Building safety checks were carried out and there was a plan in place to improve the environment. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and whistleblowing. The provider used accidents and incidents to learn lessons. People were protected from the risks associated with the spread of infection. Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. People's medicines were managed safely.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People’s communication needs were met. Care plans were detailed, personalised and included people’s preferences. Staff understood how to provide a personalised care service. People were offered a variety of activities. Complaints were dealt with appropriately. People were offered a variety of activities. People’s end of life care wishes were met.

The provider promoted a positive culture within the service to achieve good outcomes for people. Managers and staff understood what was expected of them. The provider checked the quality of the service provided in order to make improvements. People, relatives and staff gave feedback on service quality through surveys and meetings. The provider worked with other professionals to improve outcomes for people.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 13 December 2017).

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to the safety of care and treatment people received and the lack of activities. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, responsive and well-led only. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has remained good. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Please see the safe, responsive and well-led sections of this full report.

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 COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Folkestone Nursing Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.