29 and 30 September 2015
During a routine inspection
Fourways nursing home provides nursing and personal care for up to 21 people who were living with a range of complex health care needs. This included people who have, stroke, diabetes, acquired head injuries and Parkinson’s disease. Some people had a degree of memory loss associated with their age and physical health conditions. Most people required help and support from two members of staff in relation to their mobility and personal care needs.
Fourways Nursing Home is a family owned and family run home and the owner and directors all worked at the home.
Accommodation is provided over two floors with a stair lift that provided level access to all parts of the home. People spoke well of the home and visiting relatives confirmed they felt confident leaving their loved ones in the care of Fourways.
There is a registered manager at the home who was also the owner. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
This was an unannounced inspection which meant the provider and staff did not know we were coming. It took place on 29 and 30 September 2015.
Staff knew people well, they were kind and caring and treated people with respect. They had a good understanding of their care needs and individual choices. However, the care records did not always include guidance for staff to ensure consistency.
Staff did not always follow the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Mental capacity assessments were not in place and there was no information about how decisions were made.
The ethos of the home was to enable people to live their life to the maximum every day and this is what we observed. Staff had developed open and caring relationships with them.
Staff knew how to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Risk assessments were in place and staff had a good understanding of the risks associated with the people they cared for. There were enough staff in place, who had been appropriately recruited, to meet the needs of people.
People were given choice about what they wanted to eat and drink, meals were nutritious and freshly cooked each day. People received the support they needed at mealtimes.
People had access to health care professionals for regular check-ups as needed. Medicines were stored, administered and disposed of safely.
Staff had undertaken essential training to meet the needs of people. They received regular one to one and group supervision. They told us they were well supported by the owner and other senior staff at the home.
The owner was aware of the day-to-day culture in the home as she worked directly alongside care staff and encouraged staff to talk to her openly. She worked tirelessly to ensure Fourways nursing home was a ‘real home’ for people. We saw staff were encouraged and supported to do the same.