6 August 2018
During a routine inspection
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.