Random inspection report
Care homes for older people
Name: Address: Meresbeck Care Home 125 North Road Carnforth Lancashire LA5 9LU two star good service 16/06/2009 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: Maggy Howells Date: 0 8 1 0 2 0 0 9 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Meresbeck Care Home 125 North Road Carnforth Lancashire LA5 9LU 01524734176 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: emmastephenson75@yahoo.co.uk Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : SKR Limited care home 20 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 20 old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: 0 The registered person may provide the following category/ies of service only: Care home only - Code PC to service users of the following gender: Either whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Old age, not falling within any other category - Code OP The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 20 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Meresbeck is situated in Carnforth fairly close to the town centre and is registered to provide personal care for up to 20 older people. Accommodation is provided in twelve single rooms, four of which have ensuite facilities, and four double rooms two of which have ensuite facilities. Bedrooms are situated on both floors of the home and there is a stair lift to help people with mobility problems get upstairs. There are two lounges and two dining rooms, for shared use.
Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 8 1 6 0 6 2 0 0 9 Brief description of the care home There is some car parking space and a patio area to the front of the home with seating and sun shades. There is a small garden at the back that people can access from the lounge. Current weekly fees range from £386.50 to £435.00 plus additional extras such as toiletries, transport, hairdressing, private chiropody and newspapers. The home has produced a statement of purpose and a service user guide which gives people information about the facilities and services offered, this includes a copy of the latest inspection report. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 8 What we found:
We visited this service to see whether improvements had been made following our last visit. We made an unannounced visit (this meant that no one knew we were coming) to check on the systems in place for handling, recording and administering medicines. During the visit we spoke to the manager and 2 members of staff. We looked at the storage, policies and procedures for handling medicines as well as a sample of medicines and records. Overall we found that medicines were stored, handled and recorded safely. This meant that people using the service were given the correct medicines at the correct time and this was clearly recorded. The policies and procedures covered all aspects of managing medicines within this service. These documents were regularly reviewed and improvements made in order to protect people using this service. Medicines were stored in a locked trolley and locked cupboards. Controlled Drugs (strong medicines that are at risk of being misused) were stored in an appropriate cabinet and accurately recorded in a controlled drugs register. Keeping medicines securely helps to reduce the risk of them being mishandled or misused. Photographs had been attached to the medication administration record sheets (MARs) for staff to check. This reduced the risk of medicines being given to the wrong person. A separate locked fridge was available for medicines that needed to be kept cold. Storing medication at the correct temperature helps to ensure that it is safe to use and does not spoil. An audit of a sample of medicines and records showed that all medicines could be accounted for. Records were kept of all medicines that came into and left the service. The MARs clearly showed what medicines each person was taking and, whether or not these had been given correctly. Most medication records had been pre-printed by the supplying pharmacy, but some had been hand written. The hand-written entries were generally clear and accurate but had not always been double signed. Having two members of staff checking hand written entries helps to reduce the risk of mistakes being made. Only members of staff who had been trained and assessed as capable of dealing with medication safely were allowed to handle medicines. The health and well being of people using the service is better protected when staff are well trained. Regular checks (audits) were made on the medicines and records in order to make sure that they had been given correctly. Where risks or mistakes had been noticed the manager had dealt with them appropriately to prevent them from reoccurring. Where necessary, staff had been given further training and support to help improve their skills. What the care home does well:
Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 8 Only members of staff who have been trained and assessed as capable of dealing with medication safely are allow ed to handle medicines. Having well trained staff reduces the risk of mistakes happening. Regular checks (audits) are made on the medicines and records in order to make sure that they have been given correctly. Where risks or mistakes are noticed, the manager deals with these appropriately to prevent them from reoccurring. Records are clear and accurate, showing exactly what medicines have been given. Medicines are stored safely at all times, reducing the risk of them being misused or mishandled. 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 Older People Page 5 of 8 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 Older People Page 6 of 8 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 9 Staff should record each time creams and other external products are used in order to show that these are being used as prescribed. Hand written entries on medication records should be signed by two members of staff in order to reduce the risk of mistakes. Care Homes for Older People Page 7 of 8 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 Older People 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. If you would like a summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CQC copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 8 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!
