Fernhaven

Updated 9 June 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.

Fernhaven 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.

This comprehensive inspection visit took place on 23 and 29 March 2018 and was unannounced on the first day.

The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector.

Before our inspection we reviewed the information we held on the service. This included notifications we had received from the provider, about incidents that affect the health, safety and welfare of people who lived at the home and previous inspection reports. We also checked to see if any information concerning the care and welfare of people supported by the services had been received.

We contacted the commissioning department at Lancashire County Council. This helped us to gain a balanced overview of what people experienced accessing the service.

During the inspection visit we spoke with a range of people about the service. They included two people who lived at the home, the registered manager, care coordinator, two care staff and a cleaner. We observed care practices and how staff interacted with people in their care.

We looked at care records of two people who lived at the home. We also viewed a range of other documentation in relation to the management of the home. This included records related to the management of the service, recruitment and supervision arrangements of three staff members and staffing levels. We also checked the environment to ensure it was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.

Updated 9 June 2018

Fernhaven provides accommodation for up to six people, who are diagnosed with mental health needs. The home is situated in St Annes on Sea and is within easy reach of public transport, the beach and local amenities. Accommodation within the home is situated on three floors. The service has a lounge and a dining room situated on the ground floor. A designated smoking room is available on the first floor of the home. At the time of our inspection visit there were six people who lived at the home.

At the last inspection carried out on 19 November 2015 the service was rated 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.

People who lived at the home told us they were happy, felt safe and were treated with kindness at all times.

Staff had been recruited safely, appropriately trained and supported. They had skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and social needs.

Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. These had been kept under review and were relevant to the care provided.

The service had systems in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report unsafe care or abusive practices.

Staff responsible for assisting people with their medicines had received training to ensure they had the competency and skills required. People told us they received their medicines at times they needed them.

People told us they were treated as individuals and received person centred care. Staff were caring, kind and promoted people’s independence.

We looked around the building and found it had been maintained, was clean and hygienic and a safe place to live. We found equipment had been serviced and maintained as required.

The service had safe infection control procedures in place. People who lived at the home told us they were happy with the standard of hygiene in place.

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’s care and support had been planned with them. People told us they had been consulted and listened to when it came to making choices about how their care would be delivered.

Care plans were organised and had identified care and support people required. We found they were informative about the support people had received.

People told us they were happy with the variety and choice of meals available to them. Staff encouraged people to prepare their own meals as far as possible.

People were supported to have access to healthcare professionals and their healthcare needs had been met. Comments from a visiting healthcare professional were complimentary about the support provided by the registered manager and the staff team.

People told us staff were caring towards them. Staff we spoke with understood the importance of high standards of care to give people meaningful lives. People told us staff who supported them treated them with respect and dignity.

The service had information with regards to support from an external advocate should this be required by people they supported.

The service had a suitable complaints procedure. People we spoke with told us they were happy with the service and had no complaints.

The service used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included regular audits and satisfaction surveys to seek people’s views about the service provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.