Fairmount

Updated 12 April 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 team consisted of one inspector and an 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

Fairmount 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. Fairmount 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 the information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make.

We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 6 people and 2 visiting relatives about the care and support provided. Some people could not let us know what they thought about their care because they could not always communicate with us verbally. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We also observed staff interacting with people in the communal areas at different times of the day.

We spoke with the activities coordinator, chef, member of housekeeping staff, maintenance person, two care workers and a senior care worker to understand their views about the home. We also spoke with the deputy manager, registered manager, a representative of the provider and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 5 people's care records and a variety of records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 12 April 2023

Fairmount residential care home is a care home that is registered to accommodate up to 38 older people across two floors in one adapted building. The home specialises in caring for people living with dementia. There were 32 people using the service at the time of our inspection

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they felt safe and happy at the home. Staff understood how to safeguard people from harm or neglect. The home monitored any accidents and incidents to respond swiftly and identify learning.

Risks to people were identified and safely managed. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and the home had effective and safe recruitment procedures in place.

Medicines were safely managed and infection prevention and control measures were effective.

Staff received a range of training to help them support people effectively. Staff received equalities and human rights training and people’s diverse needs were assessed and supported.

People were supported to maintain a healthy balanced diet and they had access to health care professionals when they needed them.

Staff asked people for their consent before they provided care or support. 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.

There was a warm and friendly atmosphere at the home. People were positive about the care they received and told us the way staff supported them was respectful and encouraged their independence.

People had a personalised plan for their care and were supported to enjoy a range of activities to engage them and reduce isolation. The staff worked with health professionals to ensure people’s end of life care needs were considered and met

People and their relatives told us the home was well managed and that the culture of the service was person centred. The provider had an effective system of oversight to ensure the quality and safety of the service was maintained. Staff told us they enjoyed working at the home and felt well supported.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (report published 22 February 2021)

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the reports from our previous inspections, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Fairmount 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.