CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Fern Brook Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including visitors, admissions, PPE, testing, cleaning and outbreaks. The provider also said it had measures to reduce the risks from COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found robust COVID-19 infection controls, cleanliness and visiting arrangements.
The inspection took place on 14 February 2022 and was announced 24 hours beforehand. It was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, including the effect of COVID-19 staffing pressures.
Inspectors were assured that visitors were tested and checked, people were admitted safely, PPE was used properly, and testing and vaccinations were available. The home was clean, with frequent cleaning of areas such as handrails, door handles and keypads.
People and relatives said they felt safe and could have regular visits. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Visitor safety
The home used lateral flow tests and checked vaccination status to reduce the risk of visitors bringing COVID-19 into the home.
“A robust process was in place to help ensure visitors did not bring COVID-19 into the home.” from the report
Regular visits
People and relatives said visits were taking place regularly, including visits by essential care givers.
“People and their relatives told us the home were supporting regular visits.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home visibly clean and saw frequent cleaning of high-touch areas. Cleaning records were kept and checked.
“The home was visibly clean throughout with no malodours.” from the report
PPE and vaccinations
Staff were following the current guidance on PPE, and records showed that people had been supported to receive the required COVID-19 vaccinations.
“Staff were following current government guidelines with regard to wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What COVID-19 testing and vaccination checks are currently required for visitors and staff?
- 02How would the home manage staffing pressures if staff were absent because of COVID-19?
- 03How often are high-touch areas cleaned, and can relatives see the cleaning records?
- 04How are visits arranged now, including visits by essential care givers?
- 05How does the home safely admit new people and manage infection risks during admissions?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the other four questions were not assessed and no overall rating was given. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 February 2022 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, March 2020
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and responsive care after major improvements in management and oversight.
Inspectors visited without warning on 17 and 18 February 2020. They spoke with people living in the home, a relative, staff and another professional. They also checked care records, medicines records, staff files, accident records and audits.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, personalised care, kind treatment and a range of activities. People were supported to make choices and to access health professionals when needed.
The home had previously been rated Requires Improvement in July 2019. Inspectors found that management had become more stable and that monitoring and follow-up systems had improved. The provider was no longer in breach of the previous governance regulation.
Improved management
Management had become more stable, with stronger checks on the quality and safety of care.
“There were now robust governance systems which provided improved oversight and confidence in the quality of care people received.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were given on time and as prescribed by trained staff whose competence was checked.
“Medicines were managed safely. People received their medicines on time and as prescribed from staff with the relevant training and competency checks.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People described staff as kind and patient. Inspectors also observed respectful care and support for people's independence.
“People told us the staff treated them with kindness, respect and compassion.” from the report
Personalised activities
People could take part in varied group and one-to-one activities, with meetings used to help shape the programme.
“People had the opportunity to participate in various group and 1:1 activities” from the report
Clean environment
The home was visibly clean and odour free, and staff used protective equipment appropriately.
“The home was visibly clean throughout and odour free.” from the report
Staffing as occupancy increases
minorStaffing was adequate during the inspection, but a relative thought more staff would be needed when the home became fuller. The home was recruiting before an upstairs wing reopened.
“Staffing levels are okay at the moment but I think when they fill up they will need some more staff.” from the report
Recent staff experience
minorA staff survey from November 2019 was not overall positive. Inspectors linked this to the earlier management instability and reconfiguration, but it is worth asking how staff morale is being monitored.
“Although the November 2019 staff survey was not overall positive” from the report
- 01How many staff are currently on each shift, and how will staffing change if the home is fuller or the upstairs wing is in use?
- 02How are accidents and incidents reviewed now, and how will you tell families about any learning or changes?
- 03How do you make sure care plans, medicines records and risk assessments stay up to date when someone's needs change?
- 04What activities are available for someone with my relative's interests, abilities or communication needs?
- 05How can relatives raise concerns, and how quickly will they receive a response?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC key questions, with the home and the care provided both assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 March 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Fern Brook Lodge
6 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2020Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2019Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2019Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 April 2015.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
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