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Inspection on 28/06/10 for Wheathills House

Also see our care home review for Wheathills House for more information

This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 28th June 2010.

CQC found this care home to be providing an Excellent 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

At the last key inspection a requirement was made for each person using the service to be provided with a copy of the homes Service user Guide. The registered manager confirmed to us prior to this visit that this requirement has now been met. During our visit people using the service confirmed that they had received a copy of the homes service user guide. The registered manager and staff team continue to provide a high standard of care and support to the people that live at Wheathills House. People that were spoken with told us that their care and support needs were met. We spoke to several people that used the service and one visitor.All were very positive about the standard of care provided at Wheathills House. The comments we received included, "nothing is too much trouble here, the staff are lovely" and " the staff are very friendly, there`s always staff around if you need them" and " couldn`t wish for better staff, they`re very good, a lovely bunch".Comments in staff surveys included, "we provide good quality care and accommodation." People told to us that staff supported them in a way they preferred that met their individual needs. Comments included, " they know us all very well, they know what we like and they know what we need, its a marvellous place, I wouldn`t want to be anywhere else". We spoke to the activities coordinator that was employed at Wheathills House for four mornings a week. They were able to demonstrate to us that a variety of activities and events were made available to the people using the service. This included group activities and time spent on an individual basis with everyone. People using the service confirmed that regular activities were provided. On the day of this visit a general knowledge quiz was taking place and the majority of people using the service were participating in this. The activities coordinator confirmed that external entertainers were also provided for the people using the service on a regular basis. This entertainment included a film show, a keyboard player, a guitarists and a clothes show and clothes sale. People that were spoken with told us about a recent trip to carsington waters. They confirmed that they had enjoyed this and from discussions it was evident that the people using the service had been given the autonomy to plan their preferred trip out. This was also confirmed in discussions with the activities coordinator who told us that decisions regarding trips out were decided and agreed amongst the people using the service and then planned by the activities coordinator. The service has received no complaints in the last 12 months and we have not received any complaints or concerns about the service.All of the people that were spoken with confirmed that they knew how to make a complaint and appeared very confident that any concerns they had would be addressed by the registered manager. One safeguarding referral has been made to the Local Authority within the last 12 months. This referral was investigated by the local authority and no further action was taken. People using the service confirmed that they felt safe at the home and were very positive about the standards of care and support they received from the staff team. Since our last key inspection a two storey extension has been built to provide eight additional single bedrooms with en suite toilet facilities, a passenger lift, a new laundry room, two new bathrooms and an extension to the conservatory. The home now provides 30 single bedrooms of which 28 rooms have en suite facilities. The service provides a choice of lounge and dining areas for people to use. In addition to the conservatory extension a new seating area has also been provided adjoining the ground floor extension, which provides drink-making facilities for use by the people using the service and their visitors. An additional outdoor seating area is also available which provides a shaded outdoor area. The facilities are decorated and furnished to a high standard throughout the home. The registered manager confirmed that an ongoing refurbishment plan was in place and told us that corridors were to be redecorated in July 2010. People using the service confirmed that the home was always well maintained. Comments included, " It`s always clean and well looked after". The staff training records showed us that mandatory training was kept up to date for the staff employed. Evidence was in place to demonstrate that the activities coordinator had undertaken training to support them in their role. One member of staff that was spoken with confirmed that they were kept up to date in all areas of mandatory training. They told us that they had received a thorough induction and that the staff team worked well together. Information sent to us by the registered manager prior to this visit confirmed that out of 16 permanent care staff, 8 had achieved a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 2 or above. The member of staff spoken with confirmed that they had completed their NVQ 2 and were now undertaking NVQ level 3. People using the service confirmed that there was always staff available when they needed them and said they they felt there was enough staff on duty at the home. Although the staff rotas were not looked at during this visit, the member of staff spoken with told us that there was always a care supervisor on duty throughout the day with 3 carers in the morning and 2 carers in the afternoon. It was confirmed that at night 2 care staff were on duty. Although the staff supervision records were not looked at during this visit, the member of staff spoken with confirmed that they received regular supervision meetings with a senior member of staff.This enables all aspects of practice and career development needs to be identified. As stated earlier in this report the people using the service were extremely positive about the staff team and said that the staff team supported them in a way they preferred that met their individual needs. The activities coordinator was able to demonstrate to us that the people using the service were given opportunities to express their views and ideas on how the service was run. Monthly meetings were held where people were given an opportunity to discuss activities,trips out, in house events, the meals provided and any other areas of care and support they received. Minutes from these meetings showed us that positive actions were taken to address any preferences or suggestions. Fo

What the care home could do better:

There were no identified areas of care provided that needed requirements at this inspection visit.

Random inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Wheathills House Brun Lane Kirk Langley Derby Derbyshire DE6 4LU three star excellent 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: Angela Kennedy Date: 2 8 0 6 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Wheathills House Brun Lane Kirk Langley Derby Derbyshire DE6 4LU (01332)824600 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: info@wheathillshouse.co.uk www.wheathillshome.co.uk Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mr Richard Whitehouse Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Mr Richard Whitehouse care home 30 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 30 old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: 0 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is 30 The registered person may provide the following categories of service only: Care Home only - Code OP 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 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Wheathills House provides residential care for 30 older people with medium to low dependency. The Home is a large period house with a two storey extension set within a rural area of Derbyshire. There is no public transport available to and from the Home. Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 9 Brief description of the care home The rooms provided are single occupancy with twenty eight having en-suite facilities. A passenger lift is provided. The weekly fees at the time of this inspection were: Funded residents - As per local authority rates Privately funded residents -£475 to £495 per week. Items not covered within the weekly fee: Hairdresser Prices on request Newspapers/ magazines As per items purchased Toiletries (can be purchased from home if required) As per items purchased Private chiropody Trips out Paid for through homes amenities fund. (Fund raising and donations to home) Further information regarding Wheathills House can be obtained by telephoning or emailing the registered provider/manager at the home or by accessing the homes website. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 9 What we found: The purpose of this Random unannounced Inspection was to check compliance with the Care Homes Regulations 2001 in a narrow focus of Inspection activity and in preparation for the registration transfer under the Heath and Social Care Act 2008. The last key inspection of this service was on the 10th August 2007 when the current quality rating was made. The registered provider/ manager was present at the inspection. For the purpose of this report the registered provider/ manager will be referred to as the Registered Manager. One member of the staff team was spoken with to ascertain their views of the service and their opinion of the training and support provided to them. Several people that used the service were spoken with to ascertain their views of the support and services provided to them. Records such as staff training, activities and quality assurance were looked at during this visit. A partial tour of the building was undertaken which enabled us to look at the facilities available to the people using the service and the redecoration and refurbishment that has taken place since our last visit. The comments provided in surveys received from seven people that used the service and three staff surveys are also reflected throughout this report. What the care home does well: At the last key inspection a requirement was made for each person using the service to be provided with a copy of the homes Service user Guide. The registered manager confirmed to us prior to this visit that this requirement has now been met. During our visit people using the service confirmed that they had received a copy of the homes service user guide. The registered manager and staff team continue to provide a high standard of care and support to the people that live at Wheathills House. People that were spoken with told us that their care and support needs were met. We spoke to several people that used the service and one visitor.All were very positive about the standard of care provided at Wheathills House. The comments we received included, nothing is too much trouble here, the staff are lovely and the staff are very friendly, theres always staff around if you need them and couldnt wish for better staff, theyre very good, a lovely bunch.Comments in staff surveys included, we provide good quality care and accommodation. People told to us that staff supported them in a way they preferred that met their individual needs. Comments included, they know us all very well, they know what we like and they know what we need, its a marvellous place, I wouldnt want to be anywhere else. Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 9 We spoke to the activities coordinator that was employed at Wheathills House for four mornings a week. They were able to demonstrate to us that a variety of activities and events were made available to the people using the service. This included group activities and time spent on an individual basis with everyone. People using the service confirmed that regular activities were provided. On the day of this visit a general knowledge quiz was taking place and the majority of people using the service were participating in this. The activities coordinator confirmed that external entertainers were also provided for the people using the service on a regular basis. This entertainment included a film show, a keyboard player, a guitarists and a clothes show and clothes sale. People that were spoken with told us about a recent trip to carsington waters. They confirmed that they had enjoyed this and from discussions it was evident that the people using the service had been given the autonomy to plan their preferred trip out. This was also confirmed in discussions with the activities coordinator who told us that decisions regarding trips out were decided and agreed amongst the people using the service and then planned by the activities coordinator. The service has received no complaints in the last 12 months and we have not received any complaints or concerns about the service.All of the people that were spoken with confirmed that they knew how to make a complaint and appeared very confident that any concerns they had would be addressed by the registered manager. One safeguarding referral has been made to the Local Authority within the last 12 months. This referral was investigated by the local authority and no further action was taken. People using the service confirmed that they felt safe at the home and were very positive about the standards of care and support they received from the staff team. Since our last key inspection a two storey extension has been built to provide eight additional single bedrooms with en suite toilet facilities, a passenger lift, a new laundry room, two new bathrooms and an extension to the conservatory. The home now provides 30 single bedrooms of which 28 rooms have en suite facilities. The service provides a choice of lounge and dining areas for people to use. In addition to the conservatory extension a new seating area has also been provided adjoining the ground floor extension, which provides drink-making facilities for use by the people using the service and their visitors. An additional outdoor seating area is also available which provides a shaded outdoor area. The facilities are decorated and furnished to a high standard throughout the home. The registered manager confirmed that an ongoing refurbishment plan was in place and told us that corridors were to be redecorated in July 2010. People using the service confirmed that the home was always well maintained. Comments included, Its always clean and well looked after. The staff training records showed us that mandatory training was kept up to date for the staff employed. Evidence was in place to demonstrate that the activities coordinator had undertaken training to support them in their role. One member of staff that was spoken with confirmed that they were kept up to date in all areas of mandatory training. They Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 9 told us that they had received a thorough induction and that the staff team worked well together. Information sent to us by the registered manager prior to this visit confirmed that out of 16 permanent care staff, 8 had achieved a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 2 or above. The member of staff spoken with confirmed that they had completed their NVQ 2 and were now undertaking NVQ level 3. People using the service confirmed that there was always staff available when they needed them and said they they felt there was enough staff on duty at the home. Although the staff rotas were not looked at during this visit, the member of staff spoken with told us that there was always a care supervisor on duty throughout the day with 3 carers in the morning and 2 carers in the afternoon. It was confirmed that at night 2 care staff were on duty. Although the staff supervision records were not looked at during this visit, the member of staff spoken with confirmed that they received regular supervision meetings with a senior member of staff.This enables all aspects of practice and career development needs to be identified. As stated earlier in this report the people using the service were extremely positive about the staff team and said that the staff team supported them in a way they preferred that met their individual needs. The activities coordinator was able to demonstrate to us that the people using the service were given opportunities to express their views and ideas on how the service was run. Monthly meetings were held where people were given an opportunity to discuss activities,trips out, in house events, the meals provided and any other areas of care and support they received. Minutes from these meetings showed us that positive actions were taken to address any preferences or suggestions. For example suggestions were made for changes in the menu. This was actioned and the changes came into effect the following week. People using the service were able to confirm that they were given opportunities to have their say and make decisions about the support, care and services they received. 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 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 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. 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