What the CQC found at The Firs Residential Home

Inspectors observed medicines being given safely. Staff were trained and their competence was checked, with audits used to identify problems.

“We observed staff providing people with their medicines. This was done safely by the staff member, including demonstrating good infection control processes.” from the report

Care plans included risk assessments and the home had safety checks for areas such as fire, legionella and mobility equipment.

“People's care plans included risk assessments which guided staff on how to mitigate risks.” from the report

People and visitors described staff and managers as caring. Inspectors also observed caring and compassionate interactions.

“Our observations confirmed that staff were caring and compassionate when interacting with people and visitors.” from the report

People, relatives and staff were encouraged to comment on the service. The home recorded actions taken in response to suggestions and complaints.

“Each meeting updated people of the actions taken as a result of their comments.” from the report

The management team reviewed accidents and incidents, used patterns in falls to plan staffing, and took action to reduce future risks.

“There were systems to assess incidents and accidents and reduce future risks, such as referrals to health care professionals and the provision of technology to alert staff when people attempted to mobilise independently.” from the report

Staffing levels were kept under review and inspectors observed care being provided, but one staff member and one relative said staff could become stretched when responding to incidents.

“The staff work hard to meet my [family member's] needs, however occasionally staff do seem rather stretched, especially if there is an incident that needs additional personnel in another part of the care home.” from the report

The management team had identified that records of safety checks and support provided needed to improve, and this was being addressed with staff.

“The management team had identified improvements were needed in how staff recorded when people were checked for their safety and support provided.” from the report

The registered manager had not notified the CQC about some safeguarding concerns that had been raised with the local authority but were not taken forward as safeguarding cases. The home said this misunderstanding would be corrected.

“However, we had identified that where safeguarding concerns had been raised with the local authority, but not taken forward as safeguarding, notifications had not been sent to us.” from the report