Archived: Farmhouse Care Home

Updated 22 August 2018

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 6 and 7 August 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector and one 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.

Before this inspection, we asked the registered provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the registered provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to help with the planning for this inspection and to support our judgements.

We also reviewed the information we held about the service, which included correspondence we had received and any notifications submitted to us by the service. Statutory notifications are information the registered provider is legally required to send us about significant events that happen within the service.

During the inspection we spoke with 13 people living at the home and eight relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager and five members of staff. Following our inspection, we also received written feedback on the provision of care from one health care professional.

Some people were not able to verbally communicate their views with us or answer our direct questions. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We looked at the provider's records. These included four people's care records, four staff files, training and supervision records, a sample of audits, satisfaction surveys, staff attendance rosters, and policies and procedures. We also pathway tracked two people. This is when we follow a person's experience through the service and get their views on the care they receive. This allows us to gather and evaluate detailed information about the quality of care.

We spent time observing the daily life in the service including the care and support being delivered by all staff. We also checked the building to ensure it was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.

Updated 22 August 2018

This inspection visit took place on 6 and 7 August 2018 and was unannounced.

Farmhouse Care 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.

Farmhouse Care Home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 20 people. The home does not provide nursing care but aims to offer specialist care for older people living with dementia. The accommodation is arranged over two floors with a stair lift available to access the upper floor. Five of the rooms were shared rooms. There is a small secure outdoor patio area but no garden. At the time of our inspection 18 people were living 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.

We last inspected this service on 20 and 23 May 2016 and found the provider was in breach of Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) 2014. The proper and safe use of medicines. We issued requirement notices in respect of those breaches.

Following our inspection, the provider sent us an action plan to tell us about the actions they were going to take to meet these regulations and make the necessary improvements. During this inspection, we found that action had been taken to address these concerns.

People, their relatives and staff told us the registered manager was supportive and approachable.

People were supported by staff who knew them well. Staff we spoke with were enthusiastic about their jobs, and showed care and understanding both for the people they supported and their colleagues.

Staff understood the actions to take to protect people from abuse. They told us they were confident any concerns they raised would be taken seriously by the management team.

Medicines were stored safely and securely, and procedures were in place to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.

The service had robust recruitment procedures to make sure staff had the required skills and were of suitable character and background.

People and their relatives told us they enjoyed the food served which considered peoples individual dietary needs and preferences.

Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The registered provider’s policies and systems supported this practice.

People’s privacy and dignity was respected and promoted. Staff understood how to support people in a sensitive way, while promoting their independence. People told us they were treated with dignity and respect.

People’s care records reflected the person’s current health and social care needs. Care records contained up to date risk assessments. There were systems in place for care records to be regularly reviewed.

There was a complaints policy and procedure in place. People’s comments and complaints were taken seriously, investigated, and responded to.

There were effective systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided.

The service had up to date policies and procedures which reflected current legislation and good practice guidance.

Safety and maintenance checks for the premises and equipment were in place and up to date.