- Care home
Fernside Hall Care Home
Assessment report published 19 May 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Dates of assessment were from 24 March to 22 April 2026. The assessment was carried out to follow up on risk. We made visits to the service on 24 and 31 March 2026, and 1 April 2026. Fernside Hall is a care home providing nursing and personal care for up to 24 people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 15 people living at the service.
The provider was previously in breach of the legal regulations in relation to safeguarding, safe care and treatment, person-centred care and good governance. Improvements were found at this assessment and the provider was no longer in breach of these regulations.
People’s safety was maintained because there were good systems in place for reporting and responding to accidents, incidents, complaints, and safeguarding concerns. Where risks to people’s health and wellbeing had been identified, these had been assessed, managed and reviewed as needed. Staff were recruited safely and received the training and support they needed. There were enough staff available to meet people’s needs. Staff reported a much-improved morale due to consistent leadership and support. Medicines were managed safely. Improvements had been made in relation to the safety of the environment, although some further work was needed.
Staff maintained effective partnership working with health and social care professionals to ensure people’s care met their needs. People were supported to have choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.
Some improvements were needed to make sure people were involved in the assessment of their needs, and that care plans accurately reflected these needs, particularly when they first moved into the service. Work was ongoing to promote person centred care and make sure that, wherever possible, people were at the centre of their care and fully involved in the development and review of their care plans.
We observed positive interactions between staff and people, and staff treated people with dignity and respect.
The management team completed regular audits and checks of the quality and safety of the service although some improvements were needed to make sure environmental issues were identified and addressed in a timely way. The management team were accessible and approachable and were committed to a learning culture, involving staff at all levels to drive improvements at the service.
This service has been in Special Measures since 4 September 2025. The provider demonstrated improvements that have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.
People's experience of this service
People and their relatives gave good feedback about the care and support they received and told us they felt safe at Fernside Hall. People said, “Oh yes, I feel very safe here, I don’t have any problems, they are very nice to me” and “I think [person] is safe, they seem very caring and patient with them all.” People said they were supported to make choices and follow their own routines but did not always feel involved in their care and in the development and review of their care plans. People commented on the improved stability and consistency of the staff team. One relative told us, “I see more regular staff now, there used to be a lot of agency staff. It’s much better for [person], as they understand [them] and the other people here. I have seen the staff with them.”
People felt the staff were caring. They told us, “They are very nice to me. I am happy here” and “Yes, they are very very kind, the staff are quite wonderful. If you need anything at all they will help you.”
People gave mixed responses about the activities available and said they would like to get outside more.
People’s views were sought through meetings and surveys. People were not always sure who the registered manager was but felt the service was well managed and felt they would be listened to if they had any issues. People felt there had been improvements at the service. One person said, “They seem a lot better recently, it’s the little things that have helped us. They have listened and addressed things.”