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Inspection on 18/09/09 for Loose Valley Nursing Home

Also see our care home review for Loose Valley Nursing Home for more information

This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 18th September 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.

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

Annual service review Name of Service: Loose Valley Nursing Home The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service 1 6 0 9 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: Susan Hall Date of this annual service review: 1 3 0 8 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service Address of service: 15 Linton Road Loose Maidstone Kent ME15 0AG 01622745959 01622747627 loose.valley@nellsar.com 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: Nellsar Ltd Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 39 The registration is restricted to caring for older people which can include up to five people with a terminal illness. Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the No 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 Loose Valley Nursing Home is owned by Nellsar Ltd, who are a family owned independent company, providing care homes in the Home Counties. They currently run twelve care homes for older people, including homes for people with nursing needs and homes for people with dementia. Loose Valley is situated approximately two miles from the centre of Maidstone, and is on a main transport route with a good bus service. The home consists of an original Victorian house, with a large purpose built wing added about ten years ago. It is set in extensive grounds overlooking the Loose valley. Some bedrooms have views of the Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 1 6 0 9 2 0 0 8 grounds and surrounding countryside. The home is registered to provide nursing care for up to thirty-nine older people. Most bedrooms are for single use, but shared rooms are available. Accommodation is provided on two floors, with a passenger lift providing easy access between floors. As the home provides nursing care, there are registered nurses on duty at all times. Current fees can be obtained from the manager. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 7 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review: What did we do for this annual service review? The Inspector reviewed all the information that the Commission has received, or asked for, since the last Key Inspection in September 2008. This includes: Formal notifications about things which have happened in the service, which the care home is legally required to send to CQC. The Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA), which was sent in by the service. AQAA is a self assessment that focuses on how well the home is meeting outcomes for people who live there. It also provides detailed information about how the home is running. Information about any concerns or complaints; or referrals to the Social Services Safeguarding Adults department. Details from the last key inspection and report. Relevant information obtained from other organisations. Information obtained from phone calls and letters received since the last inspection. What has this told us about the service? The last inspection report shows that residents are satisfied with the way in which the home is run, and how their care is delivered. They are confident that their views are listened to, and that changes will be implemented as a result of this. We have received up to date information in the AQAA, which was well completed by the homes manager, and returned to CQC within the required timescale. The AQAA shows changes which have been made in the last year as a result of listening to residents and relatives. Some of these are as follows: changes to the menus on an ongoing basis to suit different likes and dislikes; the use of a minibus owned by the company, which is being used for outings; an increased range of activities available; improvements to the grounds; and replacing two bathrooms with shower rooms. Enquirers and new residents are provided with detailed information about the home prior to making a decision about moving in. All residents have a thorough preadmission assessment by the manager or her deputy, to ensure that the home will be able to meet their individual needs. Residents are involved in their care planning, so that their care plans properly reflect their individual preferences. The homes practices show due attention is given to the importance of respecting peoples diversity, such as their race, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Care plans are reviewed every month, ensuring that they are kept up to date with residents changing needs. They show good details of how different aspects of care are carried out, such as mobility needs, pressure area care, nutrition, personal hygiene care, medication, and end of life care. The home works closely with other health Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 professionals to provide appropriate advice and support for residents. In the last year, the staff have developed a deeper awareness of delivering end of life care using a system called the Liverpool Care Pathway; and have incorporated changed practices in response to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Residents are encouraged to pursue their own interests, and a wide variety of activities are available. Routines are flexible, enabling residents to form their own lifestyles, and to develop links with their families and the local community as they wish. The activities staff are arranging an increasing number of visits to places outside the home. There are opportunities for residents spiritual needs to be met within the home, as there is a monthly church service, and visits from local ministers and priests. Food is well prepared and presented by the catering staff, and provides plenty of choice. Residents can have a cooked breakfast if they want, and there are choices on the menus for all other meals. Snacks and drinks are available at any time, and are offered at frequent intervals throughout the day. The home has an open culture, where people feel safe to share any concerns in regards to their protection or safety. All concerns and complaints are taken seriously, and are fully investigated; and form the basis for assessing any changes which can be made to improve the service. All staff working in the home are trained in understanding what constitutes adult abuse; and to know how to respond if they see any bad practice taking place. Residents spoke highly of the staff at the last inspection, stating that they are always cheerful and friendly, and are committed to providing good care. The home is generally well maintained, and kept clean in all areas. This has been difficult in the last year while structural changes and improvements have been taking place. These include altering three large shared rooms into six single rooms; installing a large new lift which will accommodate a stretcher; two newly fitted shower rooms; and removing the stair lift. There is a current programme taking place to redecorate and carpet all rooms and corridors. The staff have taken extra precautions in regards to safety during this difficult time, such as escorting ambulant residents in corridors; and providing a temporary communal area on the first floor. The staff have also spent extra one to one time with residents who are upstairs. Additional attention is now being paid to outside areas, to provide pleasant garden and patio areas for residents. Some new garden furniture has been purchased for the patio. The staff team work well together under the managers leadership to provide good care. The company have updated their recruitment procedures in the last year, and all new staff go through a detailed induction process. Ongoing training programmes ensure that staff receive all mandatory training, and have opportunities for training in other related subjects. The home has regular staff meetings, enabling consultation with staff in the development of the service. All staff have formal one to one supervision programmes, so that individual progress and training needs can be identified. The manager is supported by the companys regional manager; and by discussions with other home managers. There are monthly auditing procedures in place for different aspects of the running of the home, so that the company are fully apprised of how the home is running. Policies and procedures are reviewed annually. Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? The Commission is confident that this home is continuing to operate to a good standard, and we will continue to monitor the home through ongoing processes. A key inspection will be carried out by 16th September 2010. However, we can inspect the service at any time, if we have concerns about the quality of the service, or the safety of people using the service. Annual Service Review Page 6 of 7 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. 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