Fairlawn Residential Home

Updated 6 June 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by an inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Fairlawn residential home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Fairlawn residential home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 27 April 2023 and ended on 2 May 2023. We visited the location’s office/service on 27 April 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed feedback we had received about the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people who used the service and 9 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We met with the registered manager, deputy manager, administrator spoke with 2 care workers and the activities co-ordinator. We looked at written records, which included 4 people's care records and 3 staff files. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.

Updated 6 June 2023

About the service

Fairlawn Residential Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to maximum of 24 people. The service provides support to elderly people, some of which were living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 23 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People and their relatives felt they were safe using the service. Staff knew how to recognise signs of abuse and knew where to go if they had concerns. Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as prescribed. Risk assessments were in place for people and their individual health conditions were identified and managed safely. Environmental risks were identified and managed, including infection control procedures. The home was clean and free from odour.

Staff were recruited safely. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and we observed plenty of staff available to meet people’s requests. Staff also felt they had enough staff to fulfil their roles safely.

People had their needs assessed before using the service. Staff had received a variety of training in order to meet people’s needs effectively. People enjoyed the meals that were provided and were involved in planning the meals. People that required support with eating or to have their meals modified, were getting their needs met. Staff worked in partnership with healthcare professionals in a timely manner. People received appropriate healthcare when they needed it.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Care staff were kind and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. People had choice and control over their lives and staff told us how they demonstrated supported people in this way. Independence was encouraged and we observed lovely interactions between staff and people.

People received care responsive to their needs. Care plans included relevant information for staff regarding people including life histories and things that are important to them. People had choice over what activities they would like to take part in on a day-to-day basis. Activity choices were discussed in residents’ meetings where they were encouraged to feedback.

Staff and people were positive about the management of the service. They felt their door was always open and felt they were approachable. The registered manager worked in partnership with other agencies in order to improve people’s lives. They understood their roles and responsibilities and had quality assurance systems in place to effectively monitor and improve the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 16 January 2019.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.