Inspection on 25/10/05 for Alex Wood House

This inspection was carried out on 25th October 2005.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Good. The way we rate inspection reports is consistent for all houses, though please be aware that this may be different from an official CSCI judgement.

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.

Other inspections for this house

Alex Wood House 24/10/08

Alex Wood House 31/10/06

Alex Wood House 26/04/05

Alex Wood House 24/10/04

Alex Wood House 08/06/04

Similar services:

Claremont House

Oak Ridge

Sun Court Nursing Home

Ashville House

Bramley Avenue (73)

Bilney Hall

Hill Barn

Mabbs Hall Nursing Home

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 08/07/2008.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Alex Wood House 3a Fortescue Road Cambridge CB4 2JS Lead Inspector Janie Buchanan Unannounced Inspection 25th October 2005 09:30 X10015.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to: • • • • Put the people who use social care first Improve services and stamp out bad practice Be an expert voice on social care Practise what we preach in our own organisation Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection Report CSCI General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI www.csci.org.uk Internet address Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 2 This is a report of an inspection to assess whether services are meeting the needs of people who use them. The legal basis for conducting inspections is the Care Standards Act 2000 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for this establishment are those for Care Homes for Older People. They can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or obtained from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop This report is a public document. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the prior permission of the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Alex Wood House Address 3a Fortescue Road Cambridge CB4 2JS Telephone number Fax number Email address Provider Web address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) 01223 578602 01223 713599 Cambridge Housing Society Ltd Ann Tait Care Home 31 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (31), Physical disability (3) of places Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. The The age range of two residents in the Physical Disability (PD) category is 60 - 65 years only. This age range applies to short stay placements only. One named resident under the age of 60 years with physical disabilities 26th April 2005 2. Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: Alexwood House is owned and managed by Cambridge Housing Society, a charitable housing association. The home is situated to the north of Cambridge City and is about 2 miles from the city centre. There are shops, a post office and a library nearby at Arbury Court. Alexwood House was purpose built for older people in 1988 and offers mostly permanent care although two rooms are available for shortterm respite care. There is also a busy day centre. It is a pleasant modern building, built around a central courtyard. All bedrooms apart from one have ensuite facilities. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This was the home’s second inspection for the year 2005/6 and was unannounced. The inspector interviewed four residents, three members of staff and the manager. A tour of the home was undertaken and a range of documents was viewed. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 DETAILS OF INSPECTOR FINDINGS CONTENTS Choice of Home (Standards 1–6) Health and Personal Care (Standards 7-11) Daily Life and Social Activities (Standards 12-15) Complaints and Protection (Standards 16-18) Environment (Standards 19-26) Staffing (Standards 27-30) Management and Administration (Standards 31-38) Scoring of Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 7 Choice of Home The intended outcomes for Standards 1 – 6 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Prospective service users have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. Each service user has a written contract/ statement of terms and conditions with the home. No service user moves into the home without having had his/her needs assessed and been assured that these will be met. Service users and their representatives know that the home they enter will meet their needs. Prospective service users and their relatives and friends have an opportunity to visit and assess the quality, facilities and suitability of the home. Service users assessed and referred solely for intermediate care are helped to maximise their independence and return home. The Commission considers Standards 3 and 6 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Good information is available about the home to help prospective residents choose if it is where they want to live. EVIDENCE: The home has an information pack for prospective residents. This pack is comprehensive and includes the home’s statement of purpose, its aims and objectives, its complaints procedure, a residents’ satisfaction questionnaire, photographs and information about daily life in the home. It has been updated since the last inspection and now contains information for residents about which staff member to contact for what. One resident and her daughter confirmed that they had received this information prior to moving in and it had been very helpful to them. Pre-admission assessments are carried out by senior staff for all prospective residents and there were copies of this assessment on the three files that the inspector viewed. All residents are issued with a ‘Licence to Occupy Residential Accommodation’ which clearly states the terms and conditions of their stay at the home. The manager stated that she has been trying to encourage Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 8 prospective residents to visit for the day, or come for lunch, so they can have the opportunity to sample daily life at the home. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 9 Health and Personal Care The intended outcomes for Standards 7 – 11 are: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The service user’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Service users’ health care needs are fully met. Service users, where appropriate, are responsible for their own medication, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Service users are assured that at the time of their death, staff will treat them and their family with care, sensitivity and respect. The Commission considers Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Residents’ health care and personal care needs are well met by the home, and monitored regularly by staff. EVIDENCE: Two care plans were viewed and the information they contained was generally comprehensive and up to date. Residents’ needs in relation to their mouth care, hearing, continence management, skin care, foot care, terminal care were clearly recorded, as were their likes and dislikes, and religion. The plans had been reviewed monthly and signed by the residents themselves. A local falls prevention co-coordinator has been working closely with the home and each resident has now been risk assessed in relation to falls. Residents with a hearing impairment have also been re-assessed recently and new equipment to maximise their hearing has been obtained by the home as a result. The home’s medication storage was checked and there is now proper storage for controlled drugs in place. However, staff must always use their surnames when recording in the controlled drug log. Medication stock control has Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10 improved a little since the last inspection, although there was an excess of ventolin inhalers for one particular resident. All residents interviewed by the inspector confirmed that staff delivered their personal care in a way that they liked and one male resident was particularly pleased to have a male carer bathe him. However, this resident also reported that not all staff knock on his door before entering which annoyed him. This was discussed with the manager. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 11 Daily Life and Social Activities The intended outcomes for Standards 12 - 15 are: 12. 13. 14. 15. Service users find the lifestyle experienced in the home matches their expectations and preferences, and satisfies their social, cultural, religious and recreational interests and needs. Service users maintain contact with family/ friends/ representatives and the local community as they wish. Service users are helped to exercise choice and control over their lives. Service users receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing surroundings at times convenient to them. The Commission considers all of the above key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): The range of activities available in the home is good, providing residents with variety, social interaction and stimulation. EVIDENCE: Residents have been on recent trips to Hunstanton, the botanic gardens in Camabridge, a local shopping centre, a garden centre, and to country pubs for lunch. There are also a variety of indoor activities including coffee mornings, bingo, barbeques and jumble sales. The manager has recently introduced ‘themed days’ such as Spanish and Italian days where residents enjoy a typical lunch of that country, followed by a quiz about the country. On the day of inspection itself one member of staff was facilitating a word game for residents and another member of staff told the inspector she had just completed a ‘chairaerobics’ course especially designed for older people and was going to start these classes with residents the very next day. Residents clearly enjoyed these outings and activities and the inspector received many positive comments about them. Conversations with residents evidenced that they exercise choice in relation to their routines of daily living. Comments included ‘I go to bed when I like and I get up when I like’ and ‘the other morning I slept in till 7am, unusual for me as I always get up around 6am’. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12 Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 16 - 18 are: 16. 17. 18. Service users and their relatives and friends are confident that their complaints will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. Service users’ legal rights are protected. Service users are protected from abuse. The Commission considers Standards 16 and 18 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Residents’ complaints are taken seriously and responded to appropriately. EVIDENCE: Cambridge Housing Society has its own, comprehensive, complaints policy that the inspector has viewed on previous visits. Details of how to complain are also included in the home’s information pack and in the entrance to the home. Most residents interviewed by the inspector felt confident about complaining if they needed to. One resident commented ‘ frank speaking is encouraged here, no one is fearful to raise complaints’ another ‘I’d go to the manager if I needed to’. The inspector viewed the home’ complaints book which showed that all complaints, even relatively minor ones, were taken seriously and responded to appropriately. The home has a suitable policy and procedure (November 2004) in place for dealing with the abuse of vulnerable adults. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 19 – 26 are: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Service users live in a safe, well-maintained environment. Service users have access to safe and comfortable indoor and outdoor communal facilities. Service users have sufficient and suitable lavatories and washing facilities. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. Service users’ own rooms suit their needs. Service users live in safe, comfortable bedrooms with their own possessions around them. Service users live in safe, comfortable surroundings. The home is clean, pleasant and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 19 and 26 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Residents live in a comfortable and well-maintained home with a range of indoor and outdoor space available to them. EVIDENCE: The home is purpose built for older people and has physical aids to assist residents such as hoists, bath chairs and grab rails. All bedrooms meet minimum size requirements and there is a good range of additional communal space available for residents. Furnishings and fittings are of good quality. On the day of inspection the home appeared to be clean, free from strong smells and well maintained. It was disappointing to note that a number of items raised at the last inspection (broken courtyard lights and scuffed paintwork in the staff area) had not been addressed. The manager stated that these items had been reported to Cambridge Housing Society’s maintenance officer and were due to be fixed soon. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15 Staffing The intended outcomes for Standards 27 – 30 are: 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users’ needs are met by the numbers and skill mix of staff. Service users are in safe hands at all times. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Staff are trained and competent to do their jobs. The Commission consider all the above are key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): The number of staff adequately meets residents’ needs and trained and skilled staff look after them. EVIDENCE: Staffing levels at the home are satisfactory. Between 7.30am and 9.30pm there is one senior carer and 3 carers on duty for 31 residents. Care staff are also supported by ‘general’ assistants and domestic staff. A manager is available between these hours and two ‘waking’ staff are on duty throughout the night. Scrutiny of the duty rota confirmed these staffing levels, although on the day of inspection itself the home was short staffed. Both staff and residents reported these levels as sufficient to meet their needs. One resident commented ‘You just ring the bell and staff come quickly’; one relative commented ‘there are always plenty staff around when I visit mum’. The inspector requested that one resident pull her call bell to test staff’s response and was pleased to note that staff came quickly. Staff training continues to be good with good evidence that staff undertake both mandatory training and training specific to the needs of older people. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 Management and Administration The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 38 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Service users live in a home which is run and managed by a person who is fit to be in charge, of good character and able to discharge his or her responsibilities fully. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of service users. Service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home. Service users’ financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s record keeping, policies and procedures. The health, safety and welfare of service users and staff are promoted and protected. The Commission considers Standards 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): There are good systems in place to allow residents to air their views about the quality of the service they receive. Health and safety is taken seriously at the home, ensuring residents are protected. EVIDENCE: The manager has achieved registration with the Commission for Social Care Inspection since the last inspection. She is experienced and competent for her role and, although she does not hold the registered manager’s award, she has a number of comparable qualifications in social work and management. Feedback is sought from residents via regular meetings and consultation exercises. The inspector spoke with one resident who takes the minutes for the monthly ‘Coffee, complaints and compliments meeting’ and another resident who stated that her suggestions for changing the type of bread served, and the size of the soup bowls had been actioned by staff. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17 All staff receive regular supervision and staff reported that they felt well supported by the home’s management team. A number of records in relation to health and safety (fire, portable appliance testing, water temperature records, gas, emergency lighting) were viewed by the inspector and found to be in good order. Staff interviewed by the inspector confirmed that they had received training in fire safety, food hygiene and infection control. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People have been met and uses the following scale. The scale ranges from: 4 Standard Exceeded 2 Standard Almost Met (Commendable) (Minor Shortfalls) 3 Standard Met 1 Standard Not Met (No Shortfalls) (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable CHOICE OF HOME Standard No Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 3 3 3 x 3 x HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 x 9 3 10 3 11 x DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 4 13 x 14 3 15 x COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 x 18 x 3 3 x 3 x x x 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 x 29 x 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 x 3 x x 3 x 3 Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 19 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? no STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales. No. 1 Standard Regulation 31(2) Requirement Staff must sign their full name when recording in the controlled drugs record. Timescale for action 25/10/05 RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. 1 Refer to Standard OP10 Good Practice Recommendations Staff should knock of residents’ bedroom doors before entering. Alex Wood House DS0000015088.V259984.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20 Commission for Social Care Inspection Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Area Office CPC1 Capital Park Fulbourn Cambridge CB1 5XE National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk © This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. 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