Fen House

Updated 24 February 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 11 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 24 February 2021

Fen House is a residential rehabilitation service. It provides accommodation, personal care and treatment of disease, disorder and injury for up to 25 people who have experienced an acquired brain injury. It is not registered to provide nursing care. There were internal and external communal areas for people and their visitors to use. The service is situated over two floors, with people’s rooms and communal rooms housed on the ground floor. There is also a self-contained flat for a person to live in with support from staff prior to them moving back into the community. Staff offices and meeting rooms are housed on the first floor and these were accessible by stairs or a passenger lift.

Fen House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

At our last inspection on 24 February 2016 we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of this inspection. 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.

People were supported by staff who knew about safeguarding and its reporting processes. Risk assessments were in place as guidance for staff to support and monitor people’s assessed risks. People’s care records were held securely to ensure confidentiality. Technology was in place to help staff assist people to receive safe support and care.

Recruitment checks were in place before new staff began work at the service. People’s needs were met as there were enough staff with the right skills and knowledge to support people. Staff were trained to meet people’s care and support needs. Actions were taken to learn lessons when things did not go as planned.

People’s medicines were administered as prescribed and managed safely. Medication errors were recorded, reviewed and action taken to reduce the risk of recurrence. Systems were in place to maintain good infection prevention and control.

People were involved in their decisions about their care and staff promoted people’s independence and helped them maintain their life skills as far as practicable. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People were supported with their eating and drinking to promote their well-being.

Staff supported people to access external healthcare services. Staff worked with other organisations to help ensure that people's care was coordinated. Staff also worked with other external health professionals to make sure that peoples end-of-life care was well managed and dignified.

People received a caring service by staff who knew them and their needs well. Staff maintained people’s privacy and dignity. Activities were in place to support people’s interests and well-being, including links and trips out to the local community.

Compliments were received about the service and people’s complaints were responded to and resolved where possible.

The registered manager led by example and encouraged an open and honest culture within their staff team. Audit and governance systems were in place to identify and drive forward any improvements required. The registered manager and their staff team worked together with other external organisations to ensure people’s well-being.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.