Archived: Ferncross Retirement Home

Updated 30 December 2017

We carried out this comprehensive inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Ferncross Retirement Home is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Ferncross Retirement Home is registered to provide personal care for up to 15 people. Accommodation is on two floors with a lift for access between the floors.

Prior to our inspection visit we contacted the commissioning department at Lancashire County Council and Healthwatch Lancashire. Healthwatch Lancashire is an independent consumer champions for health and social care. This helped us to gain a balanced overview of what people experienced accessing the service.

As part of the inspection we used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

The inspection visit took place on 21 November 2017 and was unannounced.

The inspection team consisted of an adult social care inspector.

During the visit we spoke with a range of people about the service. They included five people who lived at the home, the registered manager and three care staff who also provided meals and domestic support. We also observed care practices and how staff interacted with people in their care. This helped us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We looked at care records of four people and arrangements for meal provision. We also looked at records relating to the management of the home and medication records. In addition we looked at recruitment of two staff members and checked staffing levels. We also checked the building to ensure it was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.

Updated 30 December 2017

This inspection visit took place on 21 November 2017. Ferncross Retirement Home is registered to provide personal care for up to 15 people. Accommodation is on two floors with a lift for access between the floors. There are two lounges and a dining room and a garden for people to enjoy. The home is situated close to shops, buses and the local facilities of Heysham. At the time of our inspection visit there were 12 people who lived at the home.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

At the last inspection in November 2015 the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

During the inspection visit we observed staff provided support for people in a sensitive and respectful way. People who lived at the home confirmed staff were kind and always helpful. One person who lived at the home said, “Very caring and cannot do enough for me.”

We found staff had been recruited safely. They also received ongoing training relevant to their role and supported by the registered manager to undertake training that would enhance their skills. One staff member said, “The training is very good and [registered manager] would support you to do any that would help the residents.”

Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. Care records showed they were reviewed and any changes had been recorded.

We looked around the building and found it had been maintained, was clean and a safe place for people to live. We found equipment had been serviced and maintained as required.

Staff wore protective clothing such as gloves and aprons when needed. This reduced the risk of cross infection. We found supplies were available for staff to use when required.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People told us the standard of food at Ferncross was good. This was confirmed by comments we received that included, “It was lovely the meal and very tasty.”

We found during the inspection visit and observing interactions between staff and people who lived at the home, there was a culture on promoting dignity, respect and independence for people. People told us staff treated them as individuals and delivered person centred care. Care plans seen confirmed the service promoted people’s independence and involved them in delivering person centred care that suited each individual.

People who lived at the home told us they enjoyed a variety of activities. Also staff put on events such as parties and themed days. One person who lived at Ferncross said, “I enjoyed the Halloween party.”

People told us staff were caring towards them. Staff we spoke with understood the importance of high standards of care to give people meaningful lives.

There was a complaints procedure which was made available to people on their admission to the home and their relatives. People we spoke with told us they were happy and had no complaints.

The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included regular audits, staff meetings and daily discussions with people who lived at the home to seek their views about the service provided.