Chipchase House and Ferndene

Updated 26 October 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 27 July 2022 and was unannounced.

Updated 26 October 2022

About the service:

Chipchase House and Ferndene is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to 48 adults in one adapted building and 10 separate bungalows. People who live at Chipchase House and Ferndene have varied health and social care needs, including mental health, physical disabilities, learning disabilities and dementia.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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

People had seen an improvement to the service they received. The management team had strived to achieve high standards through continuous improvement and development. The quality and safety of the service was monitored through necessary checks and audits.

People’s care needs were thoroughly assessed. Risks to people’s health, safety and well-being were identified and minimised. Medicines were well managed. Staff provided support which met with people’s current needs and the records reflected this. Accidents and incidents were investigated and reported as required.

Staffing levels had increased. Staff were now well supported to provide high quality, person-centred care to people. Staff recruitment continued to be safe and staff training was up to date. Competency checks were carried out to ensure staff remained suitable for their role.

People felt safe at Chipchase House and Ferndene, with support from caring staff, who knew them well. People’s privacy and dignity were protected, and staff were respectful. Staff encouraged independence, and people were involved making decisions and developing their care plans.

People were well engaged in social activities and supported to pursue their hobbies and interests. This promoted socialisation and community involvement and helped to reduce loneliness.

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.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 17 October 2018). We identified three breaches of regulations related to safety, staffing and governance of the service.

The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection, we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about Chipchase House and Ferndene until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.