Ferndale Nursing Home

Updated 29 June 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 the COVID-19 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 09 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 29 June 2022

About the service

Ferndale Nursing Home is situated in Crawley, West Sussex. It is a residential ‘care home’ for up to 28 older people, a majority of whom are living with dementia. Some people also required support with their nursing needs. At the time of the inspection there were 28 people living in the home.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Not all risks were well-managed. There was a lack of consideration and processes to ensure that people who required texture modified food or fluids were supported appropriately. We recommended that the registered manager sought advice and guidance from a reputable source.

People told us they felt safe and there was enough staff to meet their needs. People felt reassured and well-cared for by a small, consistent staff team. Risks in relation to people’s hydration, nutrition and falls were well-managed and people had received safe care. Staff knew the signs and symptoms that could indicate people were at risk of abuse. Medicines were managed safely, and people had received their medicines when they needed them. Infection prevention was maintained, and people were protected from the spread of infection.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People told us they had confidence in the abilities of staff. There was a coordinated approach to people’s healthcare and the registered manager and staff worked with people’s GP to ensure people received appropriate care to maintain their health or if they were unwell. People told us they were happy living at the home and that staff met their needs.

People received care from a small, dedicated team who demonstrated kind and compassionate care. Staff told us they cared about people and this was observed in practice as staff worked hard to ensure that people were treated in a respectful, considerate and affectionate way. A member of staff told us, “We are very proud of what we do, and what we do, we do with love.” A relative told us their loved one had become more settled and reassured since living at the home, they told us, “I like it here, they’re so considerate and affectionate. My relative seems much happier since they’ve been here.” People were treated as individuals and staff respected their right to be treated with privacy and dignity.

People were central to the care delivered. Staff worked hard to ensure that people’s needs, and their care were prioritised. Staff were responsive to people’s needs and had accessed best practice guidance and used their knowledge and skills to ensure people who were living with dementia were supported appropriately. People told us there was enough to occupy their time and they enjoyed the stimulation and activities. Staff interacted with people and ensured that they were not socially isolated. People were able to plan for care at the end of their lives to ensure they were provided with care that met their needs and preferences.

The home was managed well. The provider’s aims of ensuring that people’s well-being and comfort was of prime importance was demonstrated by the provider and staff. People, relatives and staff were complimentary about the leadership and management of the home and told us that if they raised concerns or issues these were listened to and acted upon. There was good oversight of people’s care from the provider and the committed staff team who worked together to ensure people’s comfort was maintained.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this home was Good. (Published 24 August 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow-up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about this home until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

You can read the report from our last inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Ferndale Nursing Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.