CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ferndale Residential Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, including PPE, testing, hygiene, admissions and outbreak management. The provider also said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Requires improvement
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Ferndale Residential Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found infection control and visiting arrangements in place.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 16 February 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected people.
Inspectors found systems to support safe visiting. Visitors needed a negative lateral flow test, proof of vaccination, screening and a temperature check. Staff and visitors had to wear personal protective equipment, and staff had received training on using it safely.
The home supported contact with families through calls, video calls and different types of visits. Inspectors were assured about infection control, testing, protective equipment, admissions, hygiene and the arrangements for preventing or managing outbreaks.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not provide ratings for the other four areas of care.
Safe visiting
Visitors had to complete checks before entering, including a negative lateral flow test, vaccination evidence, screening questions and a temperature check.
“Visitors were required to provide a negative lateral flow COVID-19 test and proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to entering the service.” from the report
PPE practice
Staff had training in the safe use and disposal of PPE. The provider also used competency checks and discussions to check infection control practice.
“Staff had received training during the COVID-19 pandemic on the safe wearing, use and disposal of PPE.” from the report
Family contact
People were supported to keep in touch with relatives through calls, video calls and different visiting arrangements, including essential care giving.
“People had been encouraged to maintain contact with their families and friends during the COVID-19 pandemic through use of video and telephone calls.” from the report
Infection control systems
Inspectors were assured that the provider had measures covering testing, admissions, hygiene, social distancing and preventing or managing outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current visiting rules, and are essential care givers still supported?
- 02How do you currently check and record COVID-19 vaccinations and testing for staff and visitors?
- 03What measures are in place now if COVID-19 causes staffing pressures?
- 04How do you currently prevent and manage infection outbreaks?
- 05When were the other areas of the service last assessed and rated?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 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, October 2017
Rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, but the well-led rating was Requires Improvement.
The unannounced inspection took place on 20 July 2017. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals. They also observed care and checked care, medicine, staffing and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Inspectors found that people were safe, supported by trained staff, treated with kindness and given care that reflected their needs. Medicines were being managed safely, after problems found at the previous inspection.
The well-led rating was Requires Improvement. The home did not have a registered manager, and some required notifications had not been sent to the CQC promptly. The management team acted during the inspection and said it would improve its systems.
Safer medicines
The home had corrected the medicines problems found at the previous inspection. Staff observed people taking medicines and completed the records fully.
“Staff members were diligent in their administration of people's medicines and made sure that Medication Administration Record (MAR) charts were completed in full.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw positive relationships between staff and people. Staff protected privacy and encouraged people to remain as independent as possible.
“Throughout our inspection we saw that staff were sensitive to people's privacy and took steps, such as speaking quietly and confidentially to people” from the report
Individual care
The home assessed people before admission and kept care plans under review. Staff used people's preferences to guide the support they provided.
“These assessments were used to develop initial care plans for people which were then reviewed and updated on a regular basis” from the report
Food and health support
People enjoyed the food and had choices. The home considered dietary needs and followed advice from healthcare professionals.
“People enjoyed the food and drink provided by the service. One person told us, "The food is lovely and the menu gives us choice.” from the report
Open culture
Staff and managers were described as approachable and supportive. Staff said they knew how to raise concerns, including with organisations outside the home.
“The service had a positive and open culture. Staff were highly motivated to perform their roles and were keen to ensure that people were well cared for.” from the report
Required notifications
needs fixingSome statutory notifications were not sent to the CQC promptly. This included notifications about six Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisations. The management team acted immediately and said new systems would prevent this happening again.
“We found that the provider had not always sent us notifications of certain incidents or events which took place at the service.” from the report
No registered manager
needs fixingThere was no registered manager at the time of the inspection. A new manager had been appointed and was being supported by experienced managers, but inspectors noted some teething issues during the changeover.
“The service did not have a registered manager, although the provider had taken steps to appoint a new manager.” from the report
- 01Who is currently responsible for managing the home, and has the manager's registration with the CQC been completed?
- 02What new checks make sure all required notifications, including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisations, are sent to the CQC on time?
- 03How are medicines observed, recorded and audited now, following the problems found at the previous inspection?
- 04How are staffing levels decided as people's needs change, and has the use of agency staff reduced?
- 05What activities are currently available, and how are they adapted to each person's interests and abilities?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five questions and the overall rating, with checks of care, medicine, staffing and management records. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 October 2017 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 Ferndale Residential Home
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 8 August 2014.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Central Bedfordshire
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.
Most charge £980 to £1,260 a week. 83 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“We can all fully relax around Nyarai and she feels like part of our family, which is no mean feat!”
“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.