Background to this inspection
Updated
13 December 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.
This inspection took place on the 12th November 2018 and was unannounced.
The inspection was carried out by an Adult Social Care inspector
Before our visit, we reviewed all the information we had in relation to the service. This included notifications from the registered provider, comments from people who used the service, concerns and safeguarding information.
Our visit involved looking at four care plans and other records such as two staff recruitment files, training records, policies and procedures and complaints files.
As part of our inspection, we ask registered providers to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. A PIR was returned to us when we asked.
We checked to see if a Healthwatch visit had taken place. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion created to gather and represent the views of the public. They have powers to enter registered services and comment on the quality of care provided. Healthwatch visited on 1st August 2018 and found positive support for people who used the service.
Prior to the inspection we contacted a number of organisations for their views on the service. These included the local authority’s commissioners and the safeguarding team.
During the inspection we spoke with five people who used the service. In addition to this we spoke with the registered manager, two registered nurses, one support worker, kitchen staff and a student nurse. We also spoke with a representative of the registered provider who was responsible for quality assurance within the service.
Updated
13 December 2018
We carried out an unannounced inspection of Fern Lodge on the 12th November 2018.
Fern Lodge is a care home with nursing registered to accommodate seventeen people who are experiencing mental health issues. It is managed and operated by Partnerships in Care. Fern Lodge is a Victorian, three-storey semi-detached house near Chester City Centre. At the time of our visit; twelve people were living there.
At our last inspection we rated the service 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 told us that they were happy with the service they received. They told us that the staff team were caring and supportive. They told us that they felt listened to and were fully involved in the support they received and had control of their daily lives.
Staff were aware of how to best protect vulnerable people. Systems were in place to report any concerns.
The premises were clean and hygienic.
Medication management was robust. Steps had been taken to enable people to be in control of managing their medication.
Staff were available at all times to provide advice to people who used the service.
Assessments were in place to identify the risks people faced. These were regularly evaluated.
Staff received the training and supervision they required to carry out their role. New staff received a structured induction to their role to ensure that they were able to carry out their responsibilities.
The registered provider operated within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
The nutritional needs of people were met. Consideration was made to the dietary needs of people as well as lifestyle choices.
The design of the premises met the needs of people and the usage of facilities was being reviewed to ensure that they best served the people who used the service.
The health needs of people were met.
Staff interacted with people in a caring and helpful manner. The confidential information of people was protected.
Activities were available in line with the individual preferences of people. The registered provider was aware of the risks of social isolation that could be experienced by people.
Care plans were very person centred and contained all the information to successfully support people. People were involved in their care plans.
A robust complaints procedure was in place.
The registered manager was aware of the needs of people and adopted an inclusive approach to the running of the service.
The views of people were sought to influence the running of the service.
Audits were in place to enable an oversight of the quality of the service to be gained.
The registered provider met their legal responsibilities to notify CQC of any incidents and to be transparent in the displaying of their most recent inspection rating.