Farthings Nursing Home

Updated 1 May 2021

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Farthings is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. However, we saw evidence that the new manager was in the process of registering with CQC.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we held about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority commissioning team. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected Farthings and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke about Farthings with one person, a relative, three staff and the registered manager. We walked around the building to carry out a visual check. We did this to ensure Farthings was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.

We looked at records related to the management of the service. We did this to ensure the provider had oversight of the home, responded to any concerns and led Farthings in ongoing improvements. We checked care records and looked at medication procedures, infection control protocols, leadership and quality oversight.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We reviewed the home’s training records.

Updated 1 May 2021

The Farthings Nursing Home is registered to accommodate 60 people for nursing and personal care. It is a large purpose built building that provides passenger lift access to both floors. There are a number of lounge areas on each floor and dining rooms located on the ground and first floor. There are 58 single bedrooms and one double, the majority of which have en-suite facilities. There is a large parking area at the front of the property. At the time of our inspection visit there were 57 people who lived at the home.

At the last inspection the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

We observed staff providing support to people throughout our inspection visit. We saw they were kind and patient and treated people with dignity and respect.

People who lived at the home and their visitors told us they were happy living at the home and felt safe in the care of staff supporting them. One person said, “ I feel perfectly safe, the staff look after me.”

People visiting the home told us staff were attentive, kind and caring towards their relatives. They said their relatives were getting the best care possible and staff went above and beyond their expectations with 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.

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.

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.

The service had sufficient staffing levels in place to provide support people required. People told us staff were responsive and available when they needed them.

Medication procedures observed protected people from unsafe management of their medicines. Regular audits and medication risk assessments had been completed to ensure procedures were safe. Medicines were safely kept with appropriate arrangements for storing in place.

We saw there was an emphasis on promoting dignity, respect and independence for people who lived at the home. People told us staff treated them as individuals and delivered person centred care. Care plans seen confirmed the service promoted people’s independence and involved them in decision making about their care.

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

The design of the building and facilities provided were appropriate for the care and support provided.

The service had safe infection control procedures in place and staff had received infection control training. Staff wore protective clothing such as gloves and aprons when needed. This reduced the risk of cross infection.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

Staff knew people they supported and provided a personalised service in a caring and professional manner. Care plans were organised and had identified care and support people required. We found they were informative about care people had received.

People told us they were happy with the variety and choice of meals available to them. We saw regular snacks and drinks were provided between meals to ensure people received adequate nutrition and hydration.

We saw people who lived at the home had access to healthcare professionals and their healthcare needs had been met. Three visiting healthcare professionals spoke highly about the care provided by the registered manager and her staff. They told us staff listened and worked closely with them ensuring people received good healthcare.

People who lived at the home and their visitors told us they enjoyed a variety of activities which were organised for their entertainment. These included group sessions and one to one activities for people who chose to remain in their rooms or required nursing care. One person being nursed in bed told us how much they appreciated their one to one sessions with staff.

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.

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

The service had a complaints procedure which was made available to people on their admission to the home and their relatives. People we spoke with told us they were happy and had no complaints.

The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included regular audits and relative meetings to seek their views about the service provided.