We carried out a review of the data available to us about Fenchurch 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 Fenchurch House, you can give feedback on this service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received high quality care at Fenchurch House. Staff had the training needed to provide safe care and they took the time to ensure it was individualised to meet each person’s needs. Staff had received training in supporting people with dementia and this was reflected in the care provided and how calm and settled the home was. The environment was warm and welcoming and had been designed to maximise people’s independence.
People were complimentary about the care they received and felt there were no improvements needed. They told us their needs were met and staff were kind, caring and responsive. Staff prioritised promoting people’s independence and family life. People praised the food and the ability to visit the coffee bar with relatives.
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.
Systems to keep people safe were in place. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and checks had been completed to ensure they were safe to work with vulnerable people. Medicines were safely managed and people received their medicines at the right time. The home was clean and staff worked to reduce the risk of infection.
Risks to people were assessed and care was planned to keep people safe. Concerns were raised with the health and social care professionals as early as possible to facilitate people getting the correct support in place for their well-being. Care plans were accurate and reflected people’s needs.
There were systems in place to monitor the quality of care provided and action was taken to rectify any issues.
Relationships were in place with the NHS and universities to work with them to further understand the needs of people living with dementia. The home benefited by accessing training and support at the leading edge of dementia care, which enabled them to support people’s health and well-being.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 19 October 2020 and this is the first inspection.
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.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
The home was new and had only been operational since October 2020. At the time of the inspection, four people were in residence.
We found the following examples of good practice.
¿ The provider had identified a specific area within the service to ensure effective use of cohorting and zoning. That meant people had rooms and facilities in a certain area of the home, which reduced the potential for the infection to spread. Staff were appointed to work in designated areas which further reduced the potential for transfer of infections.
¿ Risk assessments and procedures were in place for admitting people in to the building. All people entering the building were temperature tested and completed hand disinfection prior to entering the home. A separate lift had been identified to transfer people with COVID-19 to the designated floor.
¿ The provider ensured plentiful supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE). This included face masks and aprons and we saw staff used these appropriately. Staff were encouraged to change their PPE regularly. Used PPE was disposed of in foot operated pedal bins situated throughout the home which reduced the potential for transfer of infection.
¿ Staff encouraged people to wash their hands frequently throughout the day. Where this was not possible, hand sanitiser was offered as a means to reduce the transfer of infection.
¿ The provider participated in regular COVID-19 testing of people living in the service and staff.
¿ Areas were cleaned and disinfected with cleaning products approved to reduce the potential transfer of infection.
¿ Risk assessments had been completed to protect people and any staff who may be at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, measures were in place to support them.
¿ Staff planned to worked in set teams with staff working in defined areas, which lessened the potential of cross infection within shift teams.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.