Ferndown Nursing Home

Updated 29 June 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 5 March 2020 and was announced.

Updated 29 June 2021

The inspection took place on 24 and 25 January 2019 and was unannounced.

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

Ferndown Nursing Home is registered to accommodate 29 older people. The home is split over two floors with the first floor having access via stairs or a lift. On the ground floor there is a large lounge and dining room. There is level access to the outside patio and courtyard areas. There were 21 people living at the home at the time of inspection.

At our last inspection 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.

Staff had received an induction and continual learning that enabled them to carry out their role effectively. Staff received regular supervision and felt supported, appreciated and confident in their work. People and their relatives had been involved in assessments of care needs and had their choices and wishes respected including access to healthcare when required. The service worked well with professionals such as doctors, nurses and social workers.

People were protected from avoidable harm as staff received training and understood how to recognise signs of abuse. Staff told us who they would report this both internally and externally. Staffing levels were sufficient to provide safe care and recruitment checks had ensured staff were suitable to work with vulnerable adults. When people were at risk staff had access to assessments and understood the actions needed to minimise avoidable harm. Medicines were administered and managed safely by trained and competent staff.

Staff were clear on their responsibilities with regards to infection prevention and control and this contributed to keeping people safe. Accident and incidents were recorded and analysed. Lessons learnt were shared with staff in handovers and during meetings.

People had their eating and drinking needs understood and were being met.

People told us they enjoyed the food and thought the variety, quality and standard was good.

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, their relatives and professionals described the staff as caring, kind and approachable. People had their dignity, privacy and independence respected.

People had their care needs met by staff who were knowledgeable about them. Their life histories were detailed and relatives had been consulted.

The home had an effective complaints process and people were aware of it and knew how to make a complaint. The home actively encouraged feedback from people, their relatives and professionals. A variety of activities were provided and the home were working on continual development of this.

People’s end of life wishes, needs and preferences were included in their care plans. Relatives and professionals had confidence in the service. The home had an open and positive culture that encouraged the involvement of everyone.

Leadership was visible within the home. Staff spoke positively about the management team and felt supported. There were effective quality assurance and auditing processes in place and they contributed to service improvements. Action plans were carried out and lessons learnt. The registered manager sought to work in partnership with other organisations to improve outcomes for people using the service. The service understood their legal responsibilities for reporting and sharing information with other services.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.