Random inspection report
Care homes for older people
Name: Address: St Marks Court 73 Split Crow Road Deckham Gateshead Tyne and Wear NE8 3SA three star excellent service 09/12/2008 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: Suzanne McKean Date: 1 0 0 6 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: St Marks Court 73 Split Crow Road Deckham Gateshead Tyne and Wear NE8 3SA 01914901192 01914901797 stmarkscourt@schealthcare.co.uk www.southerncrosshealthcare.co.uk Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Southern Cross BC OpCo Ltd Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : care home 60 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 60 dementia old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: 20 0 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 60 The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care Home with Nursing, Code N 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 - maximum number of places 60 Dementia, Code DE, maximum number of places 20 Date of last inspection 0 9 1 2 2 0 0 8 Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 9 Brief description of the care home St Marks Court is a purpose built detached care home standing in its own grounds and registered to provide personal and nursing care. This can include offering care to people who have a diagnosed dementia or mental health as well as a physical disability. It is located in the Deckham area of Gateshead and is close to a local housing estate and community shopping facilities. It is on a recognised bus route, which offers easy access to the surrounding estates and shopping areas and also to Gateshead town centre and Newcastle city centre. The accommodation consists of 60 single bedrooms all with their own en suite toilet facility. Accommodation is spread out over three floors and a passenger lift offers easy access to all floors. There is a variety of living space throughout the home with six lounges and three dining rooms. There are bathrooms, showers and toilets on each floor. All are easily accessible. The ground floor is occupied by people who have personal care needs, people with assessed nursing needs occupy the first floor and the second floor is currently used for people who have a diagnosed dementia or mental health illness. The fee rates range from 348 pounds up to 535 pounds. This includes the nursing contribution, which is set nationally. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 9 What we found:
An unannounced visit was carried out by two regulatory inspectors 10th June 2010, the visit was started at 9.20 and was completed by 15.45. During the visit we looked around the home, spoke to the residents and their visitors and spoke to the manager. We also looked at some of the records being kept including care plans and the Quality Assurance records. The requirements made at the last inspection on and none were identified as a result of this visit. What the care home does well:
St Marks has a calm atmosphere and staff interact well with people using the service, each other and visitors. People looked well cared for and families were very positive about the care and support their relatives receive. Records showed that people have their needs thoroughly assessed before admission to the home to ensure their care can be properly planned. Those people returning to the home from hospital are assessed to ensure that the staff are aware of the needs of the person before they return. A range of assessments are used to identify peoples health and personal care needs and risks associated with individuals vulnerability. Care plans were generally recorded to a good standard, matched with assessed needs and in some instances indicated individuals preferences. The plans were evaluated monthly though these records were of variable quality and greater detail was needed to show whether the plans were working towards achieving the stated goals and aims. Staff maintain ongoing daily reports on each person and supplementary records such as personal hygiene charts and body mapping of skin integrity. Charts relating to assistance with toileting to meet continence needs were not being consistently recorded and monitored which could be improved further to establish patterns. There was evidence of regular individual reviews of care and relatives were invited to attend or give comments. Care plans were in place for physical and mental health care needs and records showed access to, and advice and treatment from a range of health care professionals. Pressure ulcer management is good. There are three residents who have ulcers all of which were of whom were admitted to the home with them and all are them are improving. There are good records staff seeking and using advice from the Tissue Viability nurse. Medication is administered by trained staff. Medication records have a front sheet profile with a photograph of the person and details of their GP and any allergies. Balance records were kept for boxed and bottled medications that are separate to the monitored dosage blister packs. Handwritten directions for prescribed medication were clearly recorded and directions were rewritten where timings of medication had been changed.
Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 9 Nutritional needs were monitored through assessment and care planning, recording food and fluid intake, and regular weighing. Additional calorific snacks and fresh fruit were provided between meals. Soft type meals for those people unable to manage a normal diet were provided and were nutritious, however they could be better presented. Social profiles were recorded and people have care plans to address their social needs. The home employs two social co-ordinators who organise a variety of activities, events and outings. Information about these was available and displayed in the home. A social budget is provided and new crafts materials and games were recently purchased. Entertainers are arranged 4 to 6 weekly and there are usually two outings each month. The weekly activities plan includes a coffee morning, hand massage, bingo, film afternoon, exercises, pamper day, and church service and holy communion. One to one time is spent with more frail residents who are unable to participate in group activities. One inspector observed lunch being served on an upper floor unit for service users with dementia. Menus were displayed and people were offered choice of chicken hotpot, potato and vegetables or poached or scrambled eggs with toast, followed by rice pudding. A soup starter was served and sandwiches were also offered. The dining tables were nicely set and condiments were provided. Some people had aids to encourage independent eating and wore protective clothing covers. Food was served from a hot trolley and the meals were well presented and of good portion size. Hot and cold drinks were served. One staff member sat with a service user and helped her with eating the meal. Other staff were attentive and encouraging in supporting people with their food. One persons records examined had evidence of an assessment of deprivation of liberty by mental capacity professionals. The home was clean and odour free, comfortable, and appropriately furnished and equipped. There is a reminiscence room with memorabilia and staff said they were looking towards creating further areas of interest to enhance the environment. Staff spoken to were knowledgeable about individuals and their needs. Staff told us that they receive regular training and had recently updated fire safety and first training and completed courses on dementia and nutrition. The home has a new manager who had recently been appointed. On the day of the visit she was spending time with the last manager to familiarise herself with the role and responsibilities. A welcome tea party was being held in the home for her to meet with service users, relatives and other visitors. She has also undertaken meetings with members of the staff team. What they could do better:
Food and fluid balance charts were well kept but staff are using different forms making it more complicated making it more difficult for staff to use. The medication records examined were, in the main, appropriately signed to verify that medication was given. though there were some gaps to signatures, codes for one service users night medication and a once weekly dose of medication had been omitted for
Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 9 another service user. One staff signature recorded looked similar to a code used to verify why medication has not been given and management agreed to clarify this to avoid confusion. The home is generally well decorated but areas are now in need of improvement including the corridor carpets. There is a plan in place for the home to be refurbished and this will include some of the carpets. 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 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 Older People 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 9 It is recommended that the medication records are improved to ensure that gaps in recording are identified and that once weekly dose of medication is managed effectively. The presentation of soft meals for those unable to manage a normal diet could be improved including main meals, snacks and supplementary options. The corridor carpets are worn and stained and require replacement to improve the standard of decoration and make it easier to ensure that they can be cleaned effectively. 2 15 3 19 Care Homes for Older People 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 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. © Care Quality Commission 2010 This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any format or medium for noncommercial purposes, provided that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a derogatory manner or in a misleading context. The source should be acknowledged, by showing the publication title and © Care Quality Commission 2010. Care Homes for Older People Page 9 of 9 - 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!
