Farthings Nursing Home

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

Responsive – this means we looked for evidence that the provider met people’s needs.

At our last assessment we rated this key question Good. At this assessment the rating has remained Good. This meant people’s needs were met through good organisation and delivery.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider made sure people were at the centre of their care and treatment choices and they decided, in partnership with people, how to respond to any relevant changes in people’s needs.

Everyone living in the home had a care plan that reflected their individual needs, preferences, and long-term aspirations. Care delivery was consistently aligned with care plans, and records demonstrated that care provided was accurately reflected and well documented.

Care plans included symbols to identify specific care needs and prognoses at a glance. They also contained detailed information about people’s personal histories and cultural backgrounds, and care was adapted to respect individual identity.

Staff worked collaboratively with people when their needs changed, reviewing and adjusting care to ensure the most appropriate support was provided. This included supporting people to move rooms where necessary, for example when mobility needs changed, to ensure their environment remained safe and suitable.

The provider understood the diverse health and care needs of people and their local communities, so care was joined-up, flexible and supported choice and continuity.

The service worked proactively with healthcare professionals and partner agencies to ensure people experienced joined-up, flexible and consistent care. There was a weekly ward round with the local GP practice, which supported effective oversight of people’s healthcare needs and timely interventions where required.

Feedback from professionals about the quality of care provided was consistently positive, describing how staff gave a clear, reliable history when in contact about patients, and how people were well cared for meeting both emotional and clinical needs.

Care and support was flexible and responsive to people’s changing needs and preferences. Staff worked collaboratively with external professionals to review and reduce levels of continuous supervision where appropriate, supporting people to regain independence while maintaining their safety and wellbeing.

Staff had the skills and competencies to meet people’s complex healthcare needs within the home environment helping people to remain in familiar surroundings and reducing the need for unnecessary hospital admissions.

The provider supplied appropriate, accurate and up-to-date information in formats that were tailored to individual needs.

Staff were able to describe people’s individual communication needs and were observed communicating with people in their preferred way. This included speaking clearly, maintaining eye contact, and allowing people sufficient time to respond.

The provider had developed an interactive website which was designed to be accessible, including visual content, larger text, and clear information about the environment and expectations of the home.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of data protection requirements. Information was stored securely within the digital care planning system or in locked office-based files. An Accessible Information and Communication Policy was in place, which supported people’s rights to receive information in accessible formats where required.

The provider made it easy for people to share feedback and ideas, or raise complaints about their care, treatment and support. Staff involved people in decisions about their care and told them what had changed as a result.

Leaders had encouraged open feedback and demonstrated a willingness to listen and respond to people’s views and suggestions. The registered manager told us, “Building trust with people and families is essential from the very beginning and starts at the first visit. From this point, people and relatives are encouraged to share their views and experiences with us.”

People and their relatives were provided with regular opportunities to share feedback about the service through resident and family meetings, anonymous surveys and informal discussions.

Resident and family meetings were used to provide updates about the service, including staffing changes and developments within the home, while also seeking feedback regarding areas such as activities and menu planning. Relatives spoke positively about being listened to and valued. One relative told us, “Relatives are listened to and input is valued.” They added the provider was committed to continually improving the home and developing staff skills and knowledge.

The provider made sure that people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it.

The home environment was accessible and adapted to meet people’s needs, with lifts and handrails in place throughout the service. People had access to equipment such as hoists, adapted beds, and walking frames where required, helping to reduce physical barriers and promote independence and safety.

There were effective arrangements for managerial support, with the registered manager and deputy manager available out of hours and in emergencies. A detailed business continuity plan was in place to support the safe running of the service during unforeseen events. Contingency arrangements were also established where a second nurse couldn’t be obtained, including the use of a nurse assist role to enable registered nurses to focus on clinical responsibilities and maintain safe care delivery.

Staff and leaders actively listened to information about people who are most likely to experience inequality in experience or outcomes and tailored their care, support and treatment in response to this.

The atmosphere within the home was positive, inclusive, and homely. Staff consistently spoke about people in a respectful and compassionate manner.

People’s protected characteristics were respected, and individuals were able to access care and support in ways that met their personal needs and preferences. Care planning promoted equitable experiences and outcomes for people using the service.

Staff had received training in equality, diversity, and inclusion to support their understanding of inequality and inclusive practice. The service also had an equal opportunities policy in place, which included guidance on recognising and responding appropriately to discrimination.

People were supported to plan for important life changes, so they could have enough time to make informed decisions about their future, including at the end of their life.

People and their families were involved in discussions about future care wishes and preferences, including where they wished to receive care at the end of their lives. Where people had shared their end of life wishes, these were clearly documented and understood by staff to ensure care was delivered in line with people’s preferences and choices.

There was appropriate documentation relating to do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of DNACPR guidance and were able to explain when it was appropriate to enact these decisions, including recognising that emergency first aid, such as support for choking, should still be provided where appropriate. The service maintained clear records identifying people who required full (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR intervention and those with DNACPR decisions in place, supporting safe and informed clinical practice.

Staff had received end of life care training and spoke knowledgeably about providing compassionate and dignified care to people and emotional support to relatives during difficult times. The upstairs dining area included a kitchenette facility designed to support relatives visiting out of hours and those spending extended periods of time with loved ones receiving end of life care, promoting comfort and privacy for families.

One person told us, “I’ve had the conversation I needed to and it’s been recorded,” reflecting the service’s person-centred and sensitive approach to advance care planning.