Park Farm House

Updated 1 March 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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 9 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24-hour notice of the inspection.

Updated 1 March 2022

This inspection took place on 27 and 30 April 2018 and was unannounced. The previous inspection was carried out on 14 March 2017 and there had been one breach of legal requirements at that time. We rated the service requires improvement overall. The registered manager had submitted an action plan to the Care Quality Commission so that we could monitor the improvements made. We found at this inspection significant improvements had been made.

Park Farm House is registered to provide accommodation for up to 10 people who require help with personal care. The service specialises in the care of older people living with dementia but does not provide nursing care. At the time of our visit there were seven people living at the service.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

People were protected from abuse because staff understood how to keep them safe, including understanding the processes they should follow if an allegation of abuse was made. All staff informed us concerns would be followed up if they were raised.

Staff knew how to minimise risks and provide people with safe care and treatment. Procedures and processes guided staff on how to ensure the safety of the people who used the service. These included checks on the environment and risk assessments, which identified how risks to people were minimised.

There were processes in place to ensure the premises and equipment were regularly checked and to manage the prevention and control of infection. The registered manager reviewed accidents and falls to ensure people had the right support to keep them safe.

Appropriate arrangements were in place to ensure people's medicines were obtained, stored and administered safely.

Recruitment checks on staff were carried out with sufficient numbers employed who had the knowledge and skills to meet people's needs.

Staff had effective support, supervision and training to develop the skills needed to care for people effectively. People told us they enjoyed the meals and we saw staff offered people hot and cold drinks throughout the day.

People's care was provided in line with the Mental Capacity Act and staff understood the importance of seeking appropriate consent for care and treatment.

People were encouraged to attend appointments with other health care professionals to maintain their health and well-being.

People received care that was personalised to them and met their individual needs and wishes. Staff respected people's privacy and dignity and interacted with people in a caring, compassionate and professional manner. They were knowledgeable about people's choices, views and preferences and acted on what they said. The atmosphere in the service was friendly and welcoming.

People were supported to maintain relationships with relatives and friends. Visitors were made to feel welcome. People were supported as individuals taking into consideration their culture and religious needs.

People had personalised care plans, which detailed how they wanted staff to meet their individual needs. A range of activities were provided by staff for people to participate in. People had access the provider's complaints procedure.

The registered manager had made improvements to the quality assurance processes with regular audits of the service undertaken.

There was an open culture at the service and the views of people, relatives and staff were gathered.