We carried out a review of the data available to us about Fir Tree House on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Fir Tree House, you can give feedback on this service.
People’s experience of using this service
People were aware they had care plans and told us they felt staff met their needs. However, we found a lack of person-centred and individualised information in care plans and some records which were not clear or contradictory. We have issued a recommendation to the registered provider in both respects.
People were cared for by staff who they said were very kind and caring, attentive and kept them safe. Staff had developed good relationships with people and were thoughtful in their approach to help people have the best care possible. People were happy with the food made for them, the way staff supported them with their medicines and access to healthcare professional input should they need it.
People said they felt listened to and asked if they were happy with the service they received by the agency. They told us staff timekeeping was satisfactory, staff stayed for the time expected and on the whole they saw the same staff.
People were cared for by a sufficient number of staff who were well trained and staff who understood how to keep people safe. Staff understood their responsibility in helping people retain their independence as well as gaining their consent before they carried out any care.
Staff felt supported and valued by management and the registered provider had introduced incentives to create a positive culture within the staff team. The service was constantly trying to improve its service to people by introducing new technology to assist with timekeeping and reducing the chance of a missed call. Governance arrangements were robust which helped the service identify shortfalls and areas for improvement.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (report published 9 February 2018). Since this rating was awarded the registered provider has changed. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.
The service has now improved to Good as the registered provider had addressed the shortfalls we identified which related to monitoring calls to people. Since the last inspection, the registered provider has introduced a home care software system which enables the office to track care calls.
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up:
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.