Fairfax Manor Care Home

Updated 3 July 2025

Assessment date: 8 August to 11 August 2025. The assessment of Fairfax Manor Care Home was conducted as part of its first inspection since registration. At the time of inspection, 45 people were using the service. The service provides care for adults over and under 65 years, including those living with dementia. People told us they felt safe and well cared for, and staff were observed to be kind, respectful and responsive to individual needs. The environment was clean, well-maintained and personalised, although improvements were identified around dementia-friendly signage on the first floor. Staffing levels were sufficient however feedback from staff and residents was mixed; leaders committed to reviewing concerns. Care was person-centred, with people actively involved in risk assessments and decisions about their care. Medicines were administered safely. Whilst we have not identified impact of ill effect for people the provider told us of their plans to make improvement to documentation. Staff demonstrated a strong understanding of safeguarding, infection control and consent, and worked collaboratively with health professionals to ensure continuity of care. Leadership was inclusive and responsive, with a clear governance framework and a culture of learning and improvement. People and staff felt confident to raise concerns, and feedback was used to drive service development. Overall, the service demonstrated a positive, person-centred culture with capable leadership committed to delivering high-quality care.

Updated 3 July 2025

People told us they felt safe living at the service, describing a calm atmosphere and attentive staff. One person said, “I feel safe here, the speed the staff respond is very good.” People generally felt secure with staff regularly checking in.

Feedback on staffing levels was mixed. While some felt there were enough staff, others noted delays in response times and staff fatigue. One person said, “They could do with more staff… they work 12-hour shifts… you can see they are exhausted.” Despite this, staff were described as kind and caring, with one person saying, “They have become friends as well as carers”.

People felt their needs were met and appreciated the support they received. A relative noted, “They came in here in a wheelchair and now they are walking.” Staff were observed responding promptly to call bells and assisting with meals in a friendly manner. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI) to gather evidence about the experiences of people who were unable to communicate verbally. People had choices in their daily routines, including when to get up, shower, and eat. One person shared, “I like to get up at 6.30 am and make my own breakfast… they have arranged it so I can do this”.

People shared mixed feedback about the quality of the food, however people appreciated having options and the provider was working to improve the mealtime experience. Activities were varied and tailored to individual interests, including bingo, poetry mornings, and outings. People valued their independence and were supported to maintain it, with staff encouraging participation and respecting preferences.

People felt able to raise concerns and were confident they would be listened to. Several mentioned the new manager positively, describing them as approachable and well-qualified. The overall atmosphere was described as welcoming and hotel-like, with people and relatives expressing satisfaction and willingness to recommend the service.