Background to this inspection
Updated
12 June 2019
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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team:
The inspection team consisted of an adult social care inspector, an assistant inspector, a medicines 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. In this instance the person had a physical impairment.
Service and service type:
Freshfields is a spacious, purpose-built care home for up to 35 adults with physical disabilities. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Freshfields has single and double ensuite rooms as well as single self-contained flats with bathroom and kitchen areas. It also has two bungalows within the grounds, close to the main building.
The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection:
The inspection took place on 21 May and was unannounced.
What we did:
Prior to the inspection we reviewed the information we held in relation to Freshfields. This included the statutory notifications sent to us by the registered provider about incidents and events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send to us by law. Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. The provider had not been asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). The PIR is information providers must send us to give us key information about the service, what it does well and improvements they plan to make.
We contacted the local authority to get their opinions of the service. We also considered any information received from the public and professionals. We used this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, three care staff, the maintenance person, the housekeeper and the chef. We spoke with five people who lived at Freshfields, three relatives and a volunteer. We looked at three people's care files, four staff recruitment files, medicine administration records and processes, incident records, and other records relevant to the quality monitoring of the service.
We undertook general observations of the home over the course of the inspection, including the general environment, décor and furnishings, bedrooms of some people who lived at Freshfields, bathrooms and lounges and dining areas.
Updated
12 June 2019
About the service:
Freshfields is a residential care home that was providing personal and nursing care to 29 people with a physical disability at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service:
People told us that they felt safe living at the service. Care records provided detailed information around people's individual risks in order for staff to keep them safe from avoidable harm.
Person centred care was delivered, giving people choice over their daily routines in line with their preferences.
The building was purposed built and was fitted with equipment to enable people’s independence with personal care, such as ceiling hoists and bathing equipment.
Staffing levels were appropriately managed and people received care from consistent, regular staff. Enough staff were employed each day to meet people's needs and keep them safe. Our observations during the inspection showed that staff were available when people required support. People we spoke with confirmed this to be the case.
Recruitment processes were robust. The necessary pre-employment checks were completed, and people received care from staff who were suitable to work in adult social care environments.
Processes and systems were in place to ensure people received their medicines when they needed them, from trained and competent staff. We observed the administration of medicines, this was carried out in a kind and caring manner.
People's overall health and well-being was effectively assessed and managed. Referrals were made to external healthcare professionals accordingly.
People made positive comments about the food they received. Menus offered a variety of home-made and fresh meals each day. People received support to eat their meals when they needed it. Easy grip cutlery and spill proof cups were used. Drinks and snacks were readily available throughout the day.
People were supported in a kind, caring and compassionate manner. Staff were familiar with the support needs of the people they were supporting. Staff engaged in meaningful conversations with people.
The registered provider had a complaints policy in place. No complaints had been made since the last inspection.
People were encouraged to participate in a programme of activities both at Freshfields and out in the community. Some people were supported to be independent and accessed local places independently. People were involved in decisions and consulted about any changes or improvements needed. A monthly ‘residents’ meeting was held with the manager.
The home was clean and hygienic. Health and safety measures were in place to ensure people lived in a safe, well-maintained environment.
More information is in Detailed Findings below
Rating at last inspection: Rated Good; (Report published 2 December 2016)
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection to confirm that this service remained Good.
Follow up: No concerns were raised within this inspection. We will therefore aim to re-inspect this service within 30 months. We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk