Background to this inspection
Updated
16 March 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 28 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection
Updated
16 March 2022
Freestones Residential Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Freestones Residential Care Home accommodates up to 20 people in one adapted building. At the time of this inspection, 19 people were using the service.
At our last inspection in January 2016, we rated the service ‘Good’. At this inspection, we found the evidence continued to support the rating of ‘Good’ and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
People and relatives felt safe with the staff providing their care and support. Staff were aware of their responsibilities for keeping people safe from any form of abuse and avoidable harm. The registered manager understood their responsibilities to keep people safe, they had notified the local safeguarding authority and Care Quality Commission (CQC) of safeguarding concerns and carried out investigations as required.
Staff recruitment procedures continued ensure that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out to assure staff were suitable to work at the service. The staffing arrangements met the individual dependency needs of people currently using the service.
Staff had the appropriate skills, competency and knowledge to meet people’s individual needs. Health and safety training followed current relevant national guidance to prevention and control of infection.
On-going support and one to one supervision was provided for staff to reflect on their practice and promote self-development.
People received their medicines safely and staff supported people to access support from healthcare professionals when required, to ensure people continued to receive coordinated care and support.
The registered manager / registered provider and staff understood the Mental Capacity Act, 2005 (MCA) legislation and followed this in practice.
The environment was clean, and repairs and refurbishment works took place to the building, both internally and externally. Routine safety checks were carried out on the fire, water, gas and electrical systems.
People were involved in planning their on-going care and support. The care plans were person centred and provided staff with appropriate guidance on meeting their diverse range of needs.
People using the service, relatives and staff had good relationships. People and relatives were very complimentary of the care and attention, the staff provided. People were treated with kindness, compassion, dignity and respect and staff provided their care and support in keeping with their wishes and preferences.
Feedback from people, relatives and staff was used to drive continuous improvement of the service. The complaints policy was made available to people and relatives so they knew how to raise any concerns and complaints.
Regular audits continually monitored the quality of the service, based on the audit findings the registered manager / registered provider took appropriate action to address and rectify any shortfalls. The registered manager / registered manager had informed the Care Quality Commission (CQC), of notifiable events and incidents, as required by law.