Archived: Fernlea Care Home

As part of this inspection we spoke with the two people using the service, three relatives, the registered manager and two nurses. We also reviewed records relating to the management of the home which included care plans for four people, medication administration records, staffing rotas, staff training records and quality audits.

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what people using the service, their relatives and the staff told us, what we observed and the records we looked at.

Is the service safe?

We saw that a comprehensive needs and risk assessment had taken place before people had gone to live at the home. These included physical, mental health and social needs and nutrition and mobility assessments. Equipment at the home had been well maintained and serviced regularly. There was enough equipment available. There was a system in place to ensure that when a hoist was needed to help people move safely, a sling of the appropriate size was used and was only used for one person before being washed. Medicines were managed safely. There were enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the people living at the home. CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. While no applications had needed to be submitted, proper policies and procedures were in place. Relevant staff had been trained to understand when an application should be made, and how to submit one.

Is the service effective?

People told us that they were happy with the care they received and felt their needs had been met. It was clear from what we saw and from speaking with staff that they understood people's care and support needs and that they knew them well. One person told us that the staff were, 'all very good.' A relative said, 'they've done a wonderful job, I can't fault the nursing.' They told us about the improvement to a person's health and wellbeing that had come about while living at the home. Relatives and a person using the service said they would recommend the home to other people. Staff had received enough training to meet the needs of the people living at the home.

Is the service caring?

The service was caring. A relative told us, 'There is a friendly feeling here.' They said that carers were very helpful.' They thought that the staff were very experienced and caring. Another relative said that the staff knew them, had time to talk with them and that they had, 'a good rapport.' We spoke with staff who knew people's needs and we observed them interact with different people in a kind and caring way. We saw that staff were patient and gentle when helping people. People told us they were able to do things at their own pace and were not rushed. Our observations confirmed this.

Is the service responsive?

The service was responsive to the changing needs of people using the service and to comments and suggestions. We saw that assessments of people's needs resulted in care plans that staff had read. The care plans helped staff to know the needs and care that individual people required. Care plans were changed if people's needs changed, as when changes in the way a person could eat had happened. A person told us that they had not liked the first bedroom that they had been in and that they had been offered a different room that they preferred. They told us that staff were responsive to their needs and requests. We saw that comments and suggestions made by relatives had been acted on.

Is the service well led?

The service was well led by a registered manager. People said the manager was, 'reliable' and that they, 'seem to be here all the time.' Staff said the manager was, 'wonderful' and, 'approachable, reliable and a good leader.' The manager regularly met with staff for supervision and appraised all staff every year. The service had a system in place to monitor and assess the quality of the service.

People's needs were assessed and where possible they were consulted and involved in the planning of their care. Staff worked closely with their family or friends if the individual was unable or unwilling to be involved in the development of their individual care plan.

People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights.

People we spoke with said that they enjoyed the food they received. We were told the food was of a good standard, and that were always given a choice if they did not like what was on offer. This meant that people could choose what they wanted to eat each day.

People who used the service, staff and visitors were protected against the risks of unsafe or unsuitable premises.

We reviewed records and found that people's personal records, records relating to staff and the management of the service were accurate and fit for purpose.