CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Field Farm House Residential Home
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found suitable controls for smoking risks, infection prevention and visiting, but this was not a full inspection.
This was an unannounced targeted inspection on 17 February 2022. It focused on the risks for people who smoked, along with infection prevention, COVID-19 vaccination checks and visiting arrangements.
Inspectors found that staff understood people's risks and that smoking risks were assessed and recorded. They found the home clean and free from odours, with personal protective equipment being used. Visiting arrangements followed government guidance.
The inspection did not examine the circumstances of a death that had prompted the visit. The home was inspected but not rated overall, and Safe was also inspected but not rated. The previous Safe rating was Requires Improvement and was not reviewed in full.
Smoking risk plans
People who smoked had specific assessments and recorded measures to reduce risks. Smoking materials could be stored safely, and there was a designated smoking area.
“Where people chose to smoke cigarettes, a specific smoking assessment was undertaken and any proposed interventions were recorded.” from the report
Staff understood risks
Care and support risk assessments were in place. Staff knew about people's risks and updated the assessments when needed.
“Risks assessments regarding people's care and support were in place. Staff were knowledgeable about risks and updated them in a timely way if required.” from the report
Infection prevention
Inspectors were assured that the home was using protective equipment and had arrangements to prevent and manage infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Family visiting
The home followed the visiting guidance in place at the time. Relatives were able to visit after checks and protective measures.
“The provider was adhering to the government guidance on visiting. People confirmed they had been receiving visits from their relatives.” from the report
No full safety rating
minorThe report does not show that the previous Requires Improvement rating had been resolved. Inspectors only looked at selected parts of Safe and said the whole question would be assessed at the next comprehensive inspection.
“We have not changed the rating as we have not looked at all of the safe key question at this inspection.” from the report
- 01What actions have you taken since the previous comprehensive inspection, when Safe was rated Requires Improvement?
- 02When will the next comprehensive inspection take place, and what areas will it cover?
- 03How are smoking assessments reviewed when a person's health, capacity or smoking arrangements change?
- 04How will relatives be told if visiting arrangements or infection control procedures change?
This was a targeted inspection of selected parts of Safe, focused on smoking risks, infection prevention and visiting; the whole Safe question and the other four key questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 March 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, February 2020
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind care and important improvements, but dignity, activities and quality monitoring still needed work.
Inspectors visited unannounced on 16 and 23 January 2020. They spoke with people, relatives and staff, observed care, and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home had improved since its last inspection. Medicines, infection control, staffing, care planning, training and the environment had improved. People generally felt safe, supported and listened to, and staff were described as kind.
The overall rating was Requires Improvement. Safe, caring, responsive and well-led were rated Requires Improvement, while effective was rated Good. The home had previously been Inadequate and in Special Measures, but it was no longer Inadequate or in Special Measures after this inspection.
Kind staff
People were cared for by kind and considerate staff. People and relatives said they felt supported and involved in decisions.
“People were cared for by staff who were kind. Staff were considerate towards people they cared for.” from the report
Medicines were safer
Inspectors found that medicines were received, stored, given and disposed of safely. Staff had been trained and assessed as competent.
“At this inspection we found medicines were received, stored, administered and disposed of safely.” from the report
Improved environment
The provider had cleared hazards from the grounds, decorated rooms and laid new flooring. The previous breach about premises and equipment was no longer in place.
“The grounds had been cleared of hazards, rooms had been decorated and new flooring had been laid.” from the report
Better care planning
A new electronic care planning system was intended to keep people's needs, choices and preferences up to date for staff.
“The provider had now introduced a new electronic care planning system to ensure people's care needs were current and up-to date for staff to use.” from the report
Dignity during care
needs fixingInspectors saw one person sharing food onto another person's plate at lunchtime. They also had to ask a staff member to respond when another person needed personal care.
“Another incident that demonstrated people's dignity was not always reacted to promptly was one person needed their personal care attended to.” from the report
Activities for people with dementia
needs fixingActivities were available, but they were not always suited to each person's needs. The provider was recruiting a replacement activities coordinator and some staff did not know how to use the new interactive screen.
“Although there were activities on offer they were not always to ensure activities were more suited to each person living with dementia.” from the report
Improvements not yet established
needs fixingSeveral areas had improved, but inspectors said there had not been enough time to show that the changes would continue and remain effective.
“At this inspection this key question has now improved to Requires Improvement. This was because although we saw the provider had started to make some improvements, however, not enough time had passed to evidence the sustainability of the improvements made.” from the report
Expired DoLS authorisations
needs fixingSystems for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were in place, but some authorisations had expired and were awaiting approval.
“Systems for ensuring DoLS were in place and the registered manager had oversight of DoLS which had expired and were requiring approval.” from the report
- 01What has changed to make sure people's dignity is protected during lunchtimes and personal care?
- 02What activities are now available for each person living with dementia, and how are their interests and preferences used?
- 03How are you checking that the improvements found at this inspection continue over time?
- 04Have all expired Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisations now been approved or renewed?
- 05How are staff being trained to use the interactive screen and provide more personalised activities?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including the premises and the care provided, following the home's previous Inadequate rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 February 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 Field Farm House Residential Home
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has slipped, from Good to Requires improvement.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Field Farm House Residential Home →
- February 2020Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
Read what inspectors found at Field Farm House Residential Home →
- October 2019Inadequatedown from GoodSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- December 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 5 April 2011.
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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11 live-in carers within about an hour of Herefordshire, County of
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 £960 to £1,410 a week. 10 can care for a couple. 8 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.