Inspection on 28/02/06 for Alexander House

This inspection was carried out on 28th February 2006.

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

Alexander House 11/11/08

Alexander House 16/11/06

Alexander House 30/06/05

Alexander House 09/03/05

Alexander House 05/08/04

Similar services:

Snydale Care Home

Abbey The

Larchfield Manor

Hawkhills

Beeches The - North Yorkshire County Council

The Grove Waltham

Carentan House

Ravensworth Lodge

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

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Alexander House Savile Park Road Halifax West Yorkshire HX1 2XH Lead Inspector Lynda Jones Unannounced Inspection 28 February 2006 10:00 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 Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Alexander House Address Savile Park Road Halifax West Yorkshire HX1 2XH 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) 01422 345666 01422 345666 Pam@eldercare.org.uk Eldercare (Halifax) Ltd Pamela Dawn Reid Care Home 20 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (20) of places Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 30th June 2005 Brief Description of the Service: Alexander House is a former vicarage, which was opened as a care home for older people in 1984. A purpose built extension was added some years ago and the home now provides personal care and accommodation for up to twenty people. The house is situated next to St Judes church in the Savile Park area of Halifax. It is on a bus route and there are local shops nearby. There is a comfortable lounge, a dining room, and a conservatory that is used as a second lounge. There is an outside seating area for use during the better weather. The private rooms consist of two twin and sixteen single bedrooms, and many of the rooms have en suite facilities. Alexander House has a no smoking policy. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The Commission for Social Care Inspection has to carry out at least two inspections of care homes every year. The inspection year runs from April to March and this was the second inspection visit for 2005/2006. Copies of previous inspection reports are available at the home or on the Internet at www.csci.org.uk The last inspection of the home was unannounced and took place on 30 June 2005. This was an unannounced inspection carried out over 5.5 hours. The main purpose of the inspection was to make sure that the home continues to provide a good standard of care for the people who live there. The findings of the inspection are positive. This is a well run home providing good quality care. Residents appear to be well cared for and comfortable at the home. The methods used at this inspection included looking at care records, staff records, medication records, complaints log and health and safety records. A tour of the building took place and time was spent talking to residents,the registered manager and the staff on duty. As many of the standards were assessed at the last inspection, this report should be considered together with the report from 30 June 2005. What the service does well: Alexander House is a friendly, well managed relaxed home. The home provides a warm and comfortable environment for the residents and there is an ongoing programme of refurbishment and renewal. Bedrooms are bright and comfortable. Time has been taken to coordinate the décor and accessories. Everyone has personalised their own room with the help of relatives and staff. Domestic arrangements at the home are excellent; every part of the house is clean and looks well cared for. Staff are friendly and approachable and they treat residents with respect. A range of group and individual activities are provided in the home. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 6 Recruitment procedures are very good. All staff are thoroughly checked before they start work at the home. 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. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 7 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 Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 8 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): EVIDENCE: Not assessed on this inspection. See last report. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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): 7,8,9,10,11. Records indicate that the residents’ healthcare needs are met in line with their care plan and any problems are identified and dealt with at an early stage. The care plan format could be improved. EVIDENCE: Three care plans were examined. Documentation was in place to show that pre admission assessments are carried out by the manager before admissions take place. This is done to make sure that the needs of prospective residents can be met at the home. Some good information is recorded about the preferred daily routines of residents, for example, how they prefer to spend their time during the day, when they like to get up and go to bed, whether they prefer a bath or a shower and about the sort of assistance each person requires with dressing and personal hygiene. This information helps staff to support residents to maintain a routine that suits them and to exercise some control over their lives. Additional information included details of likes and dislikes regarding food and drinks. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 10 Each resident’s personal file contains a series of assessments. The separate assessments are good and there is evidence that these are regularly reviewed and information is updated. However, overall this information is not transferred into a holistic care plan that gives clear detail and guidance about the action staff must take to meet the needs of residents. It is likely that much of this information is communicated verbally amongst the team members. Discussion took place about this at the end of the inspection. The manager felt that it would be helpful if she and other senior staff had the opportunity to sample some other care plan formats that are used in other establishments. It was agreed that arrangements would be made to do this in the coming weeks. From speaking to staff and from observing practice at the home it is apparent that a good standard of care is provided. Residents living at Alexander House look smart and well cared for. From observation any personal care that was offered by staff was carried out in a respectful and dignified way. All residents are registered with a general practitioner and have access to the full range of NHS services. The input of other healthcare professionals is clearly recorded in the resident’s records; these include details of each visit by a health care professional and any advice that has been given. Specialist equipment is always provided if required. Medication records are well maintained and show that residents are getting their medication at the prescribed times. The home has policies and procedures in place in relation to the dying and death of a resident and the manager confirmed that comfort and support is offered to all parties during this very difficult period. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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): 12,14,15. Residents are offered a range of activities and are encouraged by the staff to make informed decisions about their daily lives. The meals at the home are very good, offering plenty of choice and variety. EVIDENCE: One member of the staff team is employed as an administrator for the home and also as an activities coordinator. She divides her time between the two roles. When new residents move into the home the staff take time to find out about their hobbies and interests. The care plans include details of the sort of things that people like to do. A range of stimulating activities is available for residents to take part in during the course of each week. The activities are designed to cater for people with differing needs, preferences and capacities. Some of the activities such as quizzes and board games take place in small groups, other things are organised on an individual basis. During the course of the afternoon a small group were playing dominoes with staff, while one person went out to Halifax with the activities coordinator. The manager said that trips out usually take place during the summer, people also go out to the pub and out to lunch quite often. Entertainers are also booked periodically to perform at the home. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 12 Details of forthcoming events can be found in the homes recently published newsletter and on the whiteboard just inside the dining room. Each day the staff write on the whiteboard to let residents know who is on duty at the home throughout the day and night. Details are written up about the day’s weather forecast, the activities that are planned for the day and about the menu for the day. The menus have been drawn up in consultation with residents, taking account of everyone’s requests and preferences. The cook has a good understanding of what people like and dislike and about the size of portion that each person prefers. Drinks are served at regular intervals and upon request. There is always food available and residents are able to request snacks between meals or during the evening or night. Residents said that they were very happy with the meals provided. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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): EVIDENCE: Not assessed on this inspection. See last report. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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): 19,20,21,23,24,25,26. The home provides a comfortable and safe environment for the residents in a friendly and homely atmosphere. All areas of the home are clean and well maintained. EVIDENCE: The home is well maintained internally and externally and there is an ongoing programme of refurbishment and renewal, which is clearly evident in the home’s development plan. All the communal areas used by the residents including the lounge, conservatory and dining room are situated on the ground floor of the home, conveniently close to toilet facilities. The home operates a no smoking policy within the building. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 15 There are eighteen single and two shared bedrooms. Eight rooms have en suite facilities. The home has four bathrooms; one has a Jacuzzi, which is apparently rarely used. The baths have assisted facilities so that staff can help people get in and out easily. All parts of the house are decorated to a good standard. Bedrooms are individually decorated and care has been taken to colour coordinate the wallpaper and accessories in the rooms. Every bedroom contains photos, pictures and ornaments and each one has been organised to suit the needs of the occupant. New residents are informed that they can bring items of their own furniture and personal possessions with them when they move in and there is evidence that most people have done so. Domestic arrangements at the home are excellent; every part of the house is clean and looks well cared for. The staff take an obvious pride in the home and together they successfully maintain a comfortable, hygienic and very pleasant environment. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 16 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): 27,28,29,30. Residents are protected by a robust staff recruitment and selection procedure, which includes Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks. The staff have access to a range of training and the skill mix within the staff team ensures that residents’ needs are met. EVIDENCE: A sample of staff files was examined for information about recruitment and staff training. The records are of good quality. Staff recruitment procedures are robust, application forms had been completed in full and there was evidence that time had been taken to explore employment histories with prospective employees. No staff start work at the home before checks have been carried out with the Criminal Records Bureau. The manager confirmed that all new members of staff receive induction and foundation training, and additional training both to meet the needs of the residents and for personal development, is encouraged. The records showed that recent training had included Health and Safety, Medication Administration, Food Hygiene and Adult Protection Awareness. Planned training includes First Aid and additional Adult Protection Training. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 17 There is an expectation that all care staff will achieve a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level two or above depending on the post they hold. Eleven staff have completed level two, two staff have completed level three and three staff are in the process of completing their NVQ training. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 18 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): 31,33,36,37,38. The home is well managed and is run in the interests of residents. Quality assurance systems are in place and the views and opinion of the residents, relatives and various health care providers are sought and valued. All policies and procedure in use at the home are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure the health and safety of the residents, visitors and staff. EVIDENCE: The registered manager has a number of years experience in providing care for older people. She takes part in regular training along with the staff team to make sure that her practice is up to date. She has recently encountered some Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 19 problems with the providers of her training for the Registered Managers Award and her employer is taking this up on her behalf. The home has a quality assurance monitoring system in place and twice a year feedback is actively sought from residents, their family and friends and various health care professionals about the services provided using anonymous satisfaction questionnaires. Staff meetings are held on a regular basis to ensure that information is made available to the staff team and formal one-to-one supervision is held every eight weeks in line with the National Minimum Standards. The performance of new staff is reviewed with them after six to eight weeks and all staff receive an annual appraisal of their performance Health and safety issues receive high priority at the home.Staff are vigilant and report any repairs that are required. The manager indicated that repairs were promptly dealt with. The records show that all equipment used in the home is regularly serviced. Fire test records were up to date and there was evidence that all staff had received fire safety training. Records and reports relating to the care of the residents and the management of the business are well maintained and used in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 20 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 X X X X X X HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 2 8 3 9 3 10 3 11 3 DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 X 14 3 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 X 17 X 18 X 3 3 3 X 3 3 3 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 X 3 X X 3 3 3 Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 21 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. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 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 OP7 Good Practice Recommendations The care plan should set out in detail the action which needs to be taken by care staff to ensure all aspects of the health, personal and social care needs of the residents are met. It would be a useful exercise to sample some other care plan formats. Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 22 Commission for Social Care Inspection Brighouse Area Office Park View House Woodvale Office Park Woodvale Road Brighouse HD6 4AB 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. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI Alexander House DS0000043321.V265855.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 23 - 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. 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