Background to this inspection
Updated
9 March 2023
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 was carried out by 2 inspectors and 1 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
Firbank House 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. Firbank
House is a care home without 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. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior
to this inspection. A PIR is information providers 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 and the service and made judgements in this report. We used all this information to plan our
inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 7 people who used the service and 7 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We
spoke with 7 members of staff including the registered manager, care workers, cook, activity coordinator
and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of
the service on behalf of the provider.
Updated
9 March 2023
About the service
Firbank House is a residential care home providing personal care to up 42 people. The service provides support to older people. At the time of our inspection there were 32 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe. Risks to them were identified and managed. Where required people were supported safely with their medicines. Infection control measures were in place to prevent cross infection and staff wore appropriate PPE.
The home was clean throughout although some parts of the décor required some improvement. This was part of the provider’s ongoing improvement plan for the service.
The provider had robust recruitment systems to ensure staff were safely recruited. Staff spoke knowledgably about the systems in place to safeguard people from abuse.
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.
The management of the home promoted a person-centred service. There was an open and transparent culture and good partnership working with others. The quality and safety of the service was monitored through regular checks.
Audits were in place and the provider had oversight of the service and the ongoing improvements. Necessary referrals were being made and the provider spoke about being open and honest when things go wrong. Staff worked in partnership with other agencies to support people and enhance their quality of life. Staff spoke highly of the registered manager and people using the service spoke positively of the care they received. Feedback from relatives was mixed; however, the provider has a continuing improvement plan in place.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 8 February 2023) and there were breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.
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 changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Firbank House 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.