Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 13th July 2009. it is an annual review prepared by CQC after examining previous reports and information from the provider. At the time of this report, CQC judged the service to be Good.
The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection
and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.
For extracts, read the latest CQC inspection for Firtree House.
Annual service review
Name of Service: Firtree House The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 8 A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.
Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?
No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Jim Lamb Date of this annual service review: 1 3 0 7 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 6 Information about the service
Address of service: 37 Pease Street Darlington Durham DL1 4EX 01325389967 01325356360 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:
Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : learning disability Conditions of registration: Potensial Limited Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 10 0 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 10 The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home only - Code PC; To service users of the following gender: Either; Whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Learning disability - Code LD, maximum number of places 10 Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the Yes service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service Firtree House is currently registered to provide personal care and accommodation for up to 10 adults with learning disabilities. However in discussion with the John Leighton, Responsible Individual for Potens.ial Limited, it was decided to retain the 10 places with the understanding that a double occupancy room would continue to be occupied by one person. Firtree House is a large, detached, converted and extended property, situated in the Eastbourne area of Darlington. Accommodation is provided in 1 double and 8 single
Annual Service Review Page 2 of 6 No change. 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 8 bedrooms. 2 bedrooms (1 of which has an en-suite facility) are located on the ground floor, with the others on the first floor. The home has a large kitchen, a separate dining room and a good size lounge. There is a bathroom on the ground floor and on the first floor there are 2 bathrooms and a separate shower room. Firtree House first opened in December 1994. However, in November 2004 ownership and responsibility for running the home transferred to Mr. & Mrs. John & Rachel Farragher, trading as Potens, who run a number of care homes and care services. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 6 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review:
What did we do for this annual service review? We looked at all the information that we have received, or asked for, since the last key inspection or annual service review. This included: The annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) that was sent to us by the service. The AQAA is a self-assessment that focuses on how well outcomes are being met for people using the service. It also gave us some numerical information about the service. Surveys returned to us by people using the service and from other people with an interest in the service. Information we have about how the service has managed any complaints. What the service has told us about things that have happened in the service, these are called notifications and are a legal requirement. The previous key inspection and the results of any other visits that we have made to the service in the last 12 months. Relevant information from other organisations. What other people have told us about the service. What has this told us about the service? People are confident that the home can meet their needs properly. This is because there is an accurate assessment of their needs that they, or people close to them, have been involved in. This tells the home all about them, what they hope for and want to achieve, and the support they need. Peoples needs and goals are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. People are able to make decisions about their life, including their finances, with support if they need it. This is because the staff continues to promote their rights and choices. People are supported to take risks to enable them to stay independent. This is because the staff have appropriate information on which to base decisions. People receive personal support from staff in the way they prefer and want. Their physical and emotional health needs are met because the home has procedures in place that staff follow. People live the life they choose with full regard to their gender (and gender identity), age, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, and disability. They are able to take risks and are not limited by assumptions and beliefs about their diversity. Each person is treated as an individual. People are supported to keep in touch with family, friends and representatives and the home supports them to have appropriate personal, family and close relationships. People are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. Their dignity and rights are respected. Four service user surveys were returned to CQC, the following comments were received, Annual Service Review Page 4 of 6 All said, We make decisions about what we do each day. The care staff and the manager listen and act on what we say. The care staff and the manager treat us well. One service users said I like the food, the staff have helped me to plan my holiday, I have been to Blackpool, and I have been on day trips that I wanted to go on. Another said I like my room the staff have helped me to make it nice. I have been to Newcastle United stadium this year, and I have also been to the theatre. Another said The staff help me to keep healthy. I have lived here for a year and did not go anywhere before, I am going out now and the staff are helping me get better at things. I am going to try to get a job in a shop. Another said I have lived here for 17 years and I am very happy. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? The home continues to let us know about things that have happened since our last key inspection and they have shown that they have managed issues well. They work well with us and have shown us that their service continues to provide good outcomes for the people who use it. However we can inspect the service at any time if we have concerns about the quality of the service or the safety of the people using the service. Annual Service Review Page 5 of 6 Reader Information
Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Annual service review CQC General Public 0870 240 7535 (national contact centre) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. The content of which can be found on our website. Helpline:
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