Fethneys Living Options - Care Home Physical Disabilities

Updated 31 October 2024

Date of Assessment: 12 November to 9 December 2024. The service is a residential care home providing support to people living with physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities/autistic people . We found 3 breaches of regulations relating to person-centred care, safe care and treatment, and governance. We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Lessons were not always learned if things went wrong. Incidents were reported, but lacked detail to prevent the risk of similar events from reoccurring. Overall, people’s risks were not managed well and mitigation was poor. The home was not purpose-built to be conducive to electric wheelchair users. The home was clean and people were protected from the risk of infection. Medicines were managed safely. Detailed assessments and care plans had not been written for 2 people recently admitted. The home operated within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. We observed people were not always treated with dignity and respect, and did not receive assistance from staff when needed. There was a lack of planned activities. Poor leadership and management oversight had resulted in a decline in the care people should have a right to receive. The home had been without a permanent manager for the last year. Governance and assurance systems were not sufficiently robust to drive improvement. The provider was previously in breach of legal regulations. Improvements were not found at this assessment, and the provider remains in breach of these regulations. In instances where CQC have decided to take civil or criminal enforcement action against a provider, we will publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded.

Updated 31 October 2024

People were not protected from the risk of potential abuse because incidents were not reported or managed well to prevent reoccurrence. Communal areas were difficult for electric wheelchair users to navigate freely. Monitoring of people’s food and fluid intake, or bowel management, was inconsistent and put people at risk of harm. People received their medicines safely. People newly admitted did not have their care or support needs fully assessed and documented. There was no evidence to show how people were involved in planning their care. People did meet with their keyworkers to discuss their wishes and preferences, and to set goals. When a person chose to make unwise decisions relating to their diet, processes to demonstrate their understanding and staff support were absent. People’s independence was promoted, but there was a lack of planned activities which disadvantaged people who were reliant on staff. Some people could not go out without assistance from staff. We observed a lack of support from staff when 2 people were eating their lunchtime meal; they were not treated with dignity and respect. While people expressed general satisfaction with their care, our assessment found elements of care did not meet the expected standards.