Ferndale Care Home

Updated 9 April 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 10 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 9 April 2021

At our last inspection on 1 December 2015 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 on-going 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.

Ferndale Care 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.

Ferndale Care Home is located in Morley. The home provides accommodation for up to 16 people in 12 single and two double bedrooms. A stair lift links the ground and first floor accommodation. There is parking at the rear of the home and gardens at the front of the building.

Staff understood the procedures which they needed to follow to keep people safe and the action they needed to take to raise any safeguarding concerns. Staff training in safeguarding adults was up to date and safeguarding alerts had been carried out when needed.

Risk assessments were in place for people and for the day to day running of the service and had been regularly reviewed.

Health and safety certificates for the service were up to date. Records we reviewed included gas and electrical safety certificates and monitoring of water temperatures. Fire safety checks had been regularly carried out and staff had participated in planned fire drills.

Recruitment records were in place and showed robust checks had been carried out to ensure only suitable candidates were employed to work at the service. There was sufficient staff on duty during the day and throughout the night.

Procedures were in place for managing people's medicines safely.

Staff were supported to carry out their roles safely. All staff participated in supervision, appraisals and training. New staff were supported by more experienced staff to get to know people and to understand the day to day running of the service.

Staff had followed the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) had been applied for appropriately. 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 told us they received a nutritious diet and were happy with the variety and quality of food.

People at risk of dehydration or malnutrition were receiving appropriate care from staff and health professionals. People were involved with a variety of health and social care professionals. All visits and recommendations by professionals had been recorded in people's care records.

People's rooms were personalised with their belongings and arranged in a way that suited them. Staff used equipment on advice from health professionals to support and promote people’s independence.

People told us they enjoyed living at the service and received good care from staff. People told us that staff protected their privacy and dignity at all times.

People told us they felt listened to and were involved in planning and reviewing their own care.

The service provided end of life care to people and worked in line with people's needs, wishes and preferences.

People received person-centred care which reflected their needs, wishes and preferences. Care records contained information about the care and support people needed and these had been regularly reviewed. However care records contained old information about people and were not easy to understand. We made a recommendation around the clarity and review recording of people’s care records.

Activities which met people's individual needs were provided at the service. People told us they were happy with this provision which included in-house activities and regular visits from an external entertainer.

Everyone we spoke with was aware of how to make a complaint, however none wished to do so. People told us they felt able to raise any concerns informally with staff.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the service and received good support from the registered manager and provider. People and staff told us the registered manager was always visible.

Robust quality assurance procedures were in place. Information was shared with people and staff and feedback sought to ensure the quality of the service improved.

The service had links with the local community. People shopped in their local community and received visits.