Archived: Ferncroft

It was evident from comments we received during our visit that people who live at Ferncroft are encouraged to make informed choices about how they live their life's and to do as much for themselves as they are willing and able too. Typical comments made by people we spoke with, included: 'Staff always ask me want I want to eat' and 'I went shopping today for food for my lunch'.

The feedback we received from people we spoke with about the opportunities they had to develop their independent living skills was also very positive. Just as we arrived at Ferncroft we observed care staff actively encouraging and supporting three people who reside there to prepare for the weekly food shop for the home, which they did at a local supermarket.

Throughout the course of our visit we observed all the care staff that were on duty always treat the people who lived at Ferncroft with the utmost respect and courtesy. Care staff were also seen taking their time to listen to what the people who use the service had to say.

All the people we spoke with about their bedrooms told us they liked the way they had been decorated.

However, the feedback we received from people who use the service and staff that worked there was on the whole quite negative about the overall decorative state of Ferncroft. There has clearly been a significant delay in addressing these issues as the need for refurbishments has built up over time. For example, care staff we met told us the torn wallpaper in some of the communal areas had been like that for years. The provider must not allow the home to remain in such a poor state of repair without taking the necessary action to remedy any structural or environmental defects.