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Inspection on 19/05/10 for Abandale Lodge

Also see our care home review for Abandale Lodge for more information

This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 19th May 2010.

CQC found this care home to be providing an Good service.

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.

What follows are excerpts from this inspection report. For more information read the full report on the next tab.

What the care home does well

We were informed that residents were mainly independent and required minimal support with personal care. The care records confirmed that residents` preferences about how they were supported were discussed and agreed with them. The ambiance of the home was very relaxed. Residents appeared very relaxed in their surroundings and with the life at the home. From observation it was evident that they were able to choose how they spent their day and to express their individuality in the way they dressed. Each residents` care plan included a health action plan. This included evidence that residents had access to a range of healthcare services and were supported in attending GP and Consultant appointments. The records of one resident confirmed that they had attended outpatient appointments and been seen by a consultant psychiatrist, a diabetic specialist, ophthalmologist and attended a sexual health clinic and that their diabetes was closely monitored through supervision of insulin injections and blood monitoring. The records confirmed that residents were enabled a choice in what they ate, although a healthy diet was encouraged and nutritional intake and weights were monitored. The arrangements for managing residents` medication was discussed with the business manager. Residents were encouraged to self medicate under supervision. Medication was obtained from two local pharmacist in monitored dosage system and in individual containers. Medication was stored in a locked medication cupboard that was secured to the wall in the staff office and in another locked cupboard also secured to the wall in a downstairs bathroom. The medication administration (MAR) records and supplies were checked and confirmed that all medication was available and given as prescribed.The complaints policy and procedure were viewed during the visit to the service. A copy was also seen on display in the home. The complaints procedure included timescales for a response and met regulatory requirements. The home maintained a complaints and compliments folder. No complaints had been received by the home or the Commission since the previous key inspection. The Home had a safeguarding policy and procedures and a whistle blowing policy in place to ensure residents were safeguarded from abuse. The records viewed during the visit to the home confirmed that staff received training on abuse during their induction, through NVQ level training and regular updated training was also provided. The home had copies of the Essex/Southend/Thurrock Safeguarding procedures available for staff guidance to be used in the event of an allegation being made. There had been no safeguarding alerts made since the previous key inspection. Neither the manager or staff were appointee for any residents. All residents independently managed their own finances. Support was provided only at their request, for example to assist them in purchasing clothing or toiletries. However where there were issues with regard to excessive purchasing of items, this was closely monitored with the objective of reducing this to a manageable level whilst enabling the resident to maintain their independence. In addition to the Manager and Business Manager there was one senior care assistant on duty and a domestic assistant for six residents. We were informed that residents were encouraged to assist with cooking and to take responsibility for some household tasks and their laundry. The records confirmed that they were supported to lead independent lives within a risk management framework. The AQAA informed us that there was a low staff turnover. This ensured that residents were cared for by people they knew and who were aware of their care needs. The recruitment records for one member of staff that had been appointed since the previous key inspection was viewed. This included evidence that the required checks had been undertaken prior to appointment (two satisfactory references,CRB Disclosures, evidence of identification etc.), showing that residents were protected by robust recruitment systems. The record of training was seen and confirmed that since the previous key inspection regular and updated training had been provided in fire safety, food hygiene, safeguarding adults, and care subjects relevant to the client group, for example oral health. The home had a registered manager who was supported by a business manager. Both were qualified registered mental health nurses and were skilled and experienced to care for the client group. Since the previous key inspection a quality management policy and quality assurance programme had been developed. This comprised residents` questionnaires to be completed on admission and when living at the home, an annual audit and annual quality report. We were informed that residents were invited to a service quality circle to discuss their views of how well the home was doing. However it was difficult to motivate residents and there was very little family involvement to obtain their views. Residents` views were therefore sought more on an individual basis. Evidence of consultation with them was seen in the records viewed.Records held on behalf of residents were kept up to date and were stored safely in lockable facilities in the staff office. Records viewed at this inspection included: the statement of purpose, assessments/care plans, medication records, staff recruitment and training records, policies and procedures, maintenance records and fire safety records. The home had health and safety policies and procedures that were regularly reviewed. The records confirmed that staff had attended relevant health and safety training. Evidence of a sample of records viewed showed that there were systems in place to ensure the servicing of equipment and utilities and there was evidence of appropriate weekly and monthly internal checks being carried out (e.g. checks on fire equipment, fire alarms and emergency lighting etc.).

What the care home could do better:

Liquid soap was available for staff hand washing facilities. However tablets of communal soap and shared towels were in use. The manager agreed to review these arrangements as part of a risk assessment. There was no monitoring of medication storage room temperatures undertaken. However both rooms were found to be cool during the visit to the service.

Random inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: Abandale Lodge 87 Station Road Leigh On Sea Essex SS9 1ST two star good service The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: 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. This is a report of a random inspection of this care home. A random inspection is a short, focussed review of the service. Details of how to get other inspection reports for this care home, including the last key inspection report, can be found on the last page of this report. Lead inspector: Diana Green Date: 1 9 0 5 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Abandale Lodge 87 Station Road Leigh On Sea Essex SS9 1ST 01702714128 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: abandalelodge@btinternet.com Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs Jean Ellen Grange Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Mrs Jean Ellen Grange care home 8 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 0 learning disability mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia Conditions of registration: 8 8 All service users admitted prime care need must be mental disorder. Care to be provided for up to 8 people with a learning disability. This needs to be added to the existing registration as some service users may also have a mild learning disability. Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Abandale Lodge is an established care home situated in a residential area of Leigh on Sea. The home has the appearance of a large detached family house and is located near to bus routes, pubs, shops, town centre and sea front. The home is registered to Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 9 Brief description of the care home provide care for up to eight adults who have either mental health problems excluding learning disability/dementia or mild learning disorders. The home is well maintained and comprises of a communal lounge, kitchen and dinning area. All residents have their own room. There is a smoking lodge that has been purpose built in the rear garden for the residents. The garden is well maintained. The above information and detail was correct on 19th May 2010. Please contact the provision direct for any update and the current scale of fees. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 9 What we found: The quality rating for this service is 2 star. This means that people who use this service experience good quality outcomes. This was an unannounced random inspection that took place on 19th May 2010. The inspection focused on health and personal care, complaints and safeguarding, staffing and management and administration. The report has been written using accumulated evidence gathered prior to and during the site visit, including the agencys Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA). The Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA), which is required by law to be completed by the service, is a self assessment that focuses on how well outcomes are being met for people using the service. This was completed by the registered provider and returned to us prior to the visit to the home. Information received in the AQAA provided us with some detail to assist us in understanding how the registered persons understand the services strengths and weaknesses and how they will address them. The inspection process included reviewing documents required under the Care Home Regulations. A number of records were looked at in relation to residents, staff recruitment and training, staff rotas and policies and procedures. Time was spent talking to residents, staff, the Manager and Business Manager who were welcoming and helpful throughout the inspection. What the care home does well: We were informed that residents were mainly independent and required minimal support with personal care. The care records confirmed that residents preferences about how they were supported were discussed and agreed with them. The ambiance of the home was very relaxed. Residents appeared very relaxed in their surroundings and with the life at the home. From observation it was evident that they were able to choose how they spent their day and to express their individuality in the way they dressed. Each residents care plan included a health action plan. This included evidence that residents had access to a range of healthcare services and were supported in attending GP and Consultant appointments. The records of one resident confirmed that they had attended outpatient appointments and been seen by a consultant psychiatrist, a diabetic specialist, ophthalmologist and attended a sexual health clinic and that their diabetes was closely monitored through supervision of insulin injections and blood monitoring. The records confirmed that residents were enabled a choice in what they ate, although a healthy diet was encouraged and nutritional intake and weights were monitored. The arrangements for managing residents medication was discussed with the business manager. Residents were encouraged to self medicate under supervision. Medication was obtained from two local pharmacist in monitored dosage system and in individual containers. Medication was stored in a locked medication cupboard that was secured to the wall in the staff office and in another locked cupboard also secured to the wall in a downstairs bathroom. The medication administration (MAR) records and supplies were checked and confirmed that all medication was available and given as prescribed. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 9 The complaints policy and procedure were viewed during the visit to the service. A copy was also seen on display in the home. The complaints procedure included timescales for a response and met regulatory requirements. The home maintained a complaints and compliments folder. No complaints had been received by the home or the Commission since the previous key inspection. The Home had a safeguarding policy and procedures and a whistle blowing policy in place to ensure residents were safeguarded from abuse. The records viewed during the visit to the home confirmed that staff received training on abuse during their induction, through NVQ level training and regular updated training was also provided. The home had copies of the Essex/Southend/Thurrock Safeguarding procedures available for staff guidance to be used in the event of an allegation being made. There had been no safeguarding alerts made since the previous key inspection. Neither the manager or staff were appointee for any residents. All residents independently managed their own finances. Support was provided only at their request, for example to assist them in purchasing clothing or toiletries. However where there were issues with regard to excessive purchasing of items, this was closely monitored with the objective of reducing this to a manageable level whilst enabling the resident to maintain their independence. In addition to the Manager and Business Manager there was one senior care assistant on duty and a domestic assistant for six residents. We were informed that residents were encouraged to assist with cooking and to take responsibility for some household tasks and their laundry. The records confirmed that they were supported to lead independent lives within a risk management framework. The AQAA informed us that there was a low staff turnover. This ensured that residents were cared for by people they knew and who were aware of their care needs. The recruitment records for one member of staff that had been appointed since the previous key inspection was viewed. This included evidence that the required checks had been undertaken prior to appointment (two satisfactory references,CRB Disclosures, evidence of identification etc.), showing that residents were protected by robust recruitment systems. The record of training was seen and confirmed that since the previous key inspection regular and updated training had been provided in fire safety, food hygiene, safeguarding adults, and care subjects relevant to the client group, for example oral health. The home had a registered manager who was supported by a business manager. Both were qualified registered mental health nurses and were skilled and experienced to care for the client group. Since the previous key inspection a quality management policy and quality assurance programme had been developed. This comprised residents questionnaires to be completed on admission and when living at the home, an annual audit and annual quality report. We were informed that residents were invited to a service quality circle to discuss their views of how well the home was doing. However it was difficult to motivate residents and there was very little family involvement to obtain their views. Residents views were therefore sought more on an individual basis. Evidence of consultation with them was seen in the records viewed. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 9 Records held on behalf of residents were kept up to date and were stored safely in lockable facilities in the staff office. Records viewed at this inspection included: the statement of purpose, assessments/care plans, medication records, staff recruitment and training records, policies and procedures, maintenance records and fire safety records. The home had health and safety policies and procedures that were regularly reviewed. The records confirmed that staff had attended relevant health and safety training. Evidence of a sample of records viewed showed that there were systems in place to ensure the servicing of equipment and utilities and there was evidence of appropriate weekly and monthly internal checks being carried out (e.g. checks on fire equipment, fire alarms and emergency lighting etc.). What they could do better: If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 2. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 9 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R Outstanding statutory requirements These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 9 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection: Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service. No Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations 1 20 The temperature of medication storage rooms should be monitored to ensure they remain within safe recommended levels (maximum 25 degrees centigrade). Staff hand washing facilities should be reviewed as part of a risk assessment to ensure the risk of infection is minimised. 2 30 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 9 Reader Information Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report Care Quality Commission General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Copies of the National Minimum Standards –Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or got from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. 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