Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 23rd December 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 The Firs Nursing Home.
Annual service review
Name of Service: The Firs Nursing Home The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service 2 7 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: kathy McCluskey Date of this annual service review: 1 3 1 1 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 6 Information about the service
Address of service: 251 Staplegrove Road Taunton Somerset TA2 6AQ 01823275927 01823336463 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:
Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: Care West Country Limited Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 37 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is 37 The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home with nursing - Code N to service users of either gender whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following category: Old age, not falling within any other category (Code OP) 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 The Firs Nursing Home is located in a residential area approximately one mile from Taunton town centre. The home fronts onto the busy Staplegrove Road and is close to a local pub and Staplegrove Village Hall. Access to the home is via the car park to the side of the property. The home is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to take up to a maximum of 37 older people who require general nursing care; eight places are registered for persons who need personal care only. The registered provider has carried major refurbishment work at the home. The refurbishment
Annual Service Review Page 2 of 6 None 2 7 1 1 2 0 0 8 includes upgrading bedrooms in the present home along with communal areas. The final phase will include building ten new bedrooms that will overlook the garden area. Once completed all the bedroom accommodation will have an ensuite facility. Accommodation is over two floors with communal rooms on each floor. Bedrooms on the first floor are accessed by a 4-person/300Kg lift. A registered nurse supervises the staff team on duty twenty four hours a day. The registered provider is Care West Country Ltd. The responsible individual is Helen Orphan and the registered manager is Kathleen Vound. 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 and requested since the last key inspection. This included: The annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) sent out by us, was completed and returned to the Commission. 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 people with an interest in the service. We sent surveys to a number of people using the service, staff and health care professionals. We received completed surveys from 5 people using the service and 1 health care professional. Regulation 37 notifications informing us of significant events in the home have been received throughout the year. We reviewed the previous key inspection report. We took account of what other people have told us about the service and any relevant information received from other organisations was considered. The Commission have not received any complaints about the home in the last twelve months. The home make contact with the Commission if they wish to discuss any issues or share information. What has this told us about the service? This told us that the home continue to provide good outcomes for people using the service and that systems are in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided. The AQAA told us that the home continue to ensure that people are appropriately assessed before a placement is offered. It told us that the home has a good supply of specialised equipment in place to ensure that peoples needs can be met. It told us that hoists have been replaced as required and that profiling beds are available. All five people who completed comment cards for the Commission told us that they had received enough information about the home before they had made a decision to move there. It told us that the home promote a person centred approach to care. The AQAA stated that people using the service and/or their representatives are consulted about their assessed needs and how these should be met. It told us that the care planning systems are regularly audited/reviewed to ensure that they remain appropriate for each individual. It told us that peoples health care needs are met and that the home liaises closely with appropriate health care professionals. The completed comment card from the health care professional was positive in all areas and it was stated that the home provide an excellent provision of care. Five people using the service completed comment cards and in response to the question, Do you receive the care and support you need?, 2 responded Always, 2 Usually and Annual Service Review Page 4 of 6 1 Sometimes. They told us, I have always found the staff very helpful at all times when needed and Nothing is too much trouble for them The AQAA told us that systems were in place to ensure that people had the opportunity for social stimulation. It told us that the home plan to further improve on the provision of activities by promoting the home more in the local community. Three people told us that there were Always activities available that they could take part in. Two people responded Usually. It told us that people live in a comfortable and well maintained environment. It told us that major refurbishment work had taken place at the home with the second phase due to be completed early 2010. It told us that people using the service and other stakeholders had been kept well informed about the works and that people using the service had experienced little disruption. The AQAA told us that the homes health and safety procedures were up to date. The AQAA told us that the home continue to ensure that staffing levels are appropriate to the assessed needs of people using the service. It provided us with examples of where staffing levels had been increased to meet changes in the assessed needs of people using the service. It told us that the home have been proactive in ensuring that staff have the skills needed to meet peoples needs. The AQAA provided information on recent training undertaken. This included mandatory and specialised training. It told us that NVQ training is actively promoted. Two people using the service told us that staff were Always available when they needed them. Three people responded Usually. One person made a comment that you sometimes have to wait a long time for staff. The AQAA told us that people benefit from a stable and effective management team. It told us that appropriate complaints procedures are in place and that complaints are appropriately responded to. The Commission have not received any complaints about the service in the last twelve months. All five people using the service who completed comment cards for the Commission told us that they knew how to make a complaint. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? We are not going to change our inspection programme and will plan to do a key inspection by 27th November 2010. We can however inspect the home at any time if we have any concerns about the quality of the service provided. 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:
Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a copy of the findings in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CQC copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Annual Service Review Page 6 of 6 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!
