Background to this inspection
Updated
16 June 2022
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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by two inspectors 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.
Service and service type
The Firs Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. The Firs Nursing Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. 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.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We looked at all the information we had received from and about the service since the last inspection.
The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 13 people who were living at the home and two visitors. We also spoke with eight members of staff. This included nursing and care staff and ancillary staff. The registered manager was available throughout the day.
Throughout the day we observed care and support in communal areas.
We looked at some records, which included, six care and support plans, a sample of medication administration records and two staff recruitment files.
The registered manager sent a number of records electronically. This included records relating to staff training and quality monitoring.
Updated
16 June 2022
About the service
The Firs Nursing Home is a care home providing nursing and personal care to up to 40 people. The home specialises in the care of older people but is able to cater for some younger people who have physical nursing needs. At the time of the inspection there were 30 people living at the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
At the last inspection we identified concerns with governance, staffing levels and skills, cleanliness and recognising and reporting abuse. These concerns led to five breaches of regulations.
At this inspection we found that considerable improvements had been made and the service was no longer in breach of regulations.
People lived in a home where the new registered manager was committed to ongoing improvements. They had implemented a number of changes to the way care was delivered and how this was monitored. This enabled shortfalls to be addressed in a timely manner to ensure people received a good standard of care.
People felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them. Staff knew how to recognise and report any concerns about possible abuse. People felt able to share any worries or concerns with staff. People said that staff were kind and caring.
People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff to meet their needs. Staff were happy in their jobs which created a pleasant environment for people to live in.
People’s health was monitored by trained nurses. Nurses worked with other professionals to make sure people received the care and treatment they needed. People received their medicines safely from trained staff.
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.
People told us they were able to make choices about their day to day lives. This included deciding when they got up and when they went to bed.
People received food and drinks in accordance with their preferences and needs. People told us they were happy with the quality and choice of food.
People were supported to stay in touch with friends and family. Staff had followed all government guidance, regarding visitors, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This helped people to stay connected to the people who were important to them.
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 (Published 29 December 2020) and there were breaches of regulations.
At the last inspection conditions were imposed on the provider’s registration. These were complied with fully and have now been removed.
The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
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.
The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.