• Care Home
  • Care home

The Firs Care Centre

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

251 Staplegrove Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AQ (01823) 275927

Provided and run by:
The Firs Care Centre Ltd

Important: The provider of this service changed. See old profile

Latest inspection summary

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Our current view of the service

Good

Updated 1 July 2025

This assessment began on 23 July 2025 and was completed on 29 July 2025.

At the time of the inspection visit there were 36 people living at the home. The home specialised

in the care of older people who required nursing or personal care.

 

There was a registered manager in post who was also the operations manager for the provider.

A new manager for the home had been appointed and had applied to register with the Care

Quality Commission. The management team were committed to making ongoing improvements

at the home.

 

The provider had systems in place to monitor standards of safety and care. However, we found

that issues identified had not always been addressed promptly. Action was taken to rectify this

during the inspection.

 

There were enough staff with the right skills and experience to make sure people received safe

and effective care. There was always a trained nurse on site to oversee people’s healthcare

needs. The staff worked with other healthcare professionals to meet people’s individual needs.

 

Risks of abuse to people were minimised because staff understood how to recognise and report

concerns. All staff were confident action would always be taken to protect people from harm.

 

People had their needs assessed and care plans were created to make sure all staff had the

information they required to provide people with person centred effective care.

 

People only received care with their consent. Where people lacked capacity to make a specific

decision, care was provided in their best interests in accordance with the law and best practice

guidance.

 

People were cared for by staff who were kind and compassionate.

People's experience of the service

Updated 1 July 2025

The provider was updating and refurbishing parts of the home to ensure it provided a homely and safe environment for people.

 

People spoken with were happy with the care they received at the home. One person told us, “It’s alright here. I do definitely feel well looked after.” A visitor said, “There have been lots of improvements to the place. Much more homely and no concerns about the level of care.”

People were treated with kindness and respect. People looked comfortable and relaxed with the staff who supported them. People told us they felt safe.

People were able to have personal and professional visitors at any time. Visitors said they were always made welcome.

 

People were able to make choices about their day to day lives such as what time they got up, when they went to bed and how they spent their day. One visiting professional said, “I feel people are always offered choices, and their independence is promoted where possible to ensure the best quality of life.”

Staff were employed to support people to take part in activities, and we heard about a wide range of activities available to people. However, during our inspection we noted that people who did not join in with organised activity sessions received limited social interaction. This resulted in people who were unable to occupy their time spending long periods with little meaningful social stimulation when they were not receiving physical care and support. People received food in accordance with their assessed needs and preferences. People were happy with the quality and variety of food provided.

People had access to trained nurses and other healthcare professionals according to their individual needs. One person told us, “I would talk to the carer if I needed a doctor or nurse and she would hand over to the nurse or the manager. No problems, there have been no problems."