Fountains Court

Updated 28 January 2022

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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 17 January 2022 and was unannounced.

Updated 28 January 2022

This inspection took place on 5 June 2018 and was unannounced. A second day of inspection took place on 11 June and was announced. This is the first time the service has been inspected since registering with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in June 2017.Fountains Court is a detached 42 bed purpose built building in Coulby Newham.

Fountains Court 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.

The home accommodates older people and people living with a dementia. Accommodation is provided in four wings on one floor based around a central courtyard. At time of our inspection there were 41 people using the service.

The service has a registered manager. 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.

This inspection took place on 5 June 2018 and was unannounced. A second day of inspection took place on 11 June and was announced. This is the first time the service has been inspected since registering with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in June 2017.

Fountains Court is a detached 42 bed purpose built building in Coulby Newham.

We received exceptional feedback from people and their relatives and professionals about how responsive the service was. The registered manager and staff had a 'can do' attitude and were creative in enabling people to overcome any perceived limitations and empower people to maximise their independence. Staff worked closely with people to build their confidence, maintain and develop life skills and maximise their independence.

The premises were extremely well designed in line with current best practice guidance to meet the needs of the people supported. There was a range of different areas, both stimulating and quiet available where people could choose to spend their time. Areas included a pub, a cinema, a post office and an American themed diner.

Staff recognised the importance of people's past lives, their interests and preferences, as well as providing them with an opportunity to be involved in new experiences. People had access to a very wide range of social activities which they enjoyed and were encouraged to take part in new areas of interest. Examples included themed days and events, petting animals, musical sessions, computer training and a pen pal scheme.

We saw staff spending their time positively engaging with people as a group and on a one to one basis in fun and meaningful activities. We saw evidence that people were being supported to maintain valuable links with the local community.

People's individual communication needs were understood and information provided in a format appropriate for them, which meant they could participate fully. A clear complaints process was in place.

Staff were committed to providing excellent end of life care following national best practice in this area.

Policies and procedures such as safeguarding and whistleblowing were in place to protect people from harm. Staff knew how to identify and report suspected abuse. People and their relatives felt the service was safe. Robust recruitment practices were in place. Pre-employment checks were made to reduce the likelihood of employing staff who were unsuitable to work with vulnerable people.

Care plans and risk assessments were comprehensive and included information about the person as an individual.

Records showed that maintenance and equipment checks were undertaken to ensure the environment was safe. Emergency contingency plans were in place. Infection control policies were in place and followed by staff.

Staff received mandatory training in key areas, and were supported through regular supervision and annual appraisals. Staff told us they were well supported by both the manager and provider.

Medicines were managed safely. People had access to a range of healthcare such as GPs, hospital departments and dentists. Individual nutritional needs were met and people enjoyed a varied diet that met their preferences.

The registered manager told us that lessons were learnt when they reviewed accidents and incidents to identify any themes or trends.

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. The policies and practices of the home helped to ensure that everyone was treated equally.

People’s privacy and dignity was respected by staff. Staff members were kind and caring towards those who used the service. Interactions between people and staff showed that staff knew people well.

Meetings for people using the service and staff were held regularly. This enabled people to be involved in decisions about how the service was run. The service worked with a range of health and social care professionals.

The management team completed regular audits and sought feedback to monitor and improve quality.