Please wait

Please note that the information on this website is now out of date. It is planned that we will update and relaunch, but for now is of historical interest only and we suggest you visit cqc.org.uk

Inspection on 01/03/10 for Alexandra House

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

This inspection was carried out on 1st March 2010.

It is an annual review prepared by CQC after examining previous reports and information from the provider. At the time of this report, CQC judged the service to be Excellent.

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.

Annual service review Name of Service: Alexandra House The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: three star excellent service 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 9 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 We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.   Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?   No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Claire Lee Date of this annual service review: 2 5 0 1 2 0 1 0 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 9 Information about the service Address of service: 2 - 4 Lord Street Southport Merseyside PR8 1QD 01704543715 01704543828 sharon.watson@bon.org.uk Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:   Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs Janet Habeck Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : old age, not falling within any other category physical disability Conditions of registration: BEN - Motor & Allied Trades Benevolent Fund Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 6 56 0 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. Physical disability - Code PD (maximum number of places: 6). The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is:56 Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the No service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 2 of 9 Alexandra House (BEN - Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund) is a registered care home run by a charitable organisation. The registered manager is Mrs Jan Habeck. The home provides fifty six places for nursing and personal (residential) care for residents. Included in this number the home can accommodate up to six young physically disabled. Respite/day care is offered for up to six non-residents a week. The home is situated in the town centre close to local amenities. Alexandra House is a large building and consists of two units. The nursing unit has twenty eight beds (including six for the young physically disabled); the unit for personal (residential) care has twenty eight beds. The five beds on the ground floor accommodate residents who require general nursing. The home has fifty two single rooms and two double rooms; none of the rooms are en-suite. Six rooms on the top floor are small flats and residents accommodated in these rooms receive minimal personal care. All areas of the home are accessible by the use of a lift, chair lift and stairs. The home has suitably adapted bathrooms and a very good standard of equipment to assist those who are less independent. A call system with an alarm facility operates throughout the building and the home is subject to an ongoing programme of maintenance and redecoration. The charge for accommodation ranges from 510 pounds to 736 pounds a week for nursing, 557 pounds a week for residential with extra nursing care and 389 pounds to 428 pounds for residential. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 9 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review: What did we do for this annual service review? The annual service review for Alexandra House included the following: An annual quality assessment (AQAA) was sent to us by the service. The AQAA is a self-assessment and a dataset that is filled in once a year by all providers and it is one of the main ways that we will get information from the providers about how they are meeting outcomes for people using their service. The AQAA also provides us with statistical information about the individual service and trends and patterns in social care. Surveys returned to us by people and from other people with an interest in the service. Information we have about how the manager has managed complaints. What the service has told us about things that have happened in the service, these are called notifications and are a legal requirement. The previous key inspection and the results of any other visits that we have made to the service in the last 12 months. Relevant information from other organisations and what other people have told us about the service. What has this told us about the service? The manager sent us their AQAA when we asked for it. It was clear and gave us all the information we asked for. We looked at the information in the AQAA and our judgment is that the home is still providing an excellent service. They recognise that they are striving to make further changes as a result of listening to people. Surveys were sent out to the residents and staff to gain their views of the service. Sixteen were returned from the residents and twelve from the staff. The surveys received reported favourably regarding the service. A number of comments were received and these included: Very pleased with the care I get (resident) The home deals excellently with any problems (resident) Gives excellent care for disabled people. Very good with medical attention (resident) Excellent care standards (resident) Staff are very helpful (resident) Quite happy with the home (resident) You know you are safe (resident) They take care of us (resident) Everything is good (resident) The home cares a great deal for the residents and gives them a secure and homely place to live (staff) Supports the staff well (staff) Provides a safe, comfortable environment for clients (staff) Provides excellent training for the staff (staff) The home does well caring for all the residents (staff) Residents care plans are excellent (staff) Always provides a high standard of care (staff) Management very approachable and supportive (staff) Offers a good selection of daily activities in the home and also arranges day trips out (staff) Staff training opportunities are very good (staff) Annual Service Review Page 4 of 9 The AQAA reports that people have information regarding the home. The documents are called a Service User Guide and Statement of Purpose. They give good information so that prospective residents can decide if the home is right for them. The latest Care Quality Commissions report is also displayed to enable people to read about the findings at the last inspection. Residents are given a contract, which details the terms and conditions of residency and additional costs they may incur. The AQAA reported that residents receive a pre admission assessment by the manager or deputy manager. This is to ensure the staff can meet their needs effectively. Prospective residents and their families are welcome to visit at any time and to have lunch with people in the home. The assessment is carried out according to need and the staff ensure they meet with other health professionals to obtain as much information about the residents health care needs. The assessment also looks at equipment the resident may need to help maintain their independence. Following admission to the home, residents are allocated a key worker. This is a member of staff who takes on responsibility for a number of residents and helps to oversee their general care. A named nurse/registered nurse is assigned for residents who have nursing needs as they need more clinical input in their care. Residents have an individual plan of care and the AQAA reported that residents and their families are involved in writing up the plan of care and are informed when changes are made. The staff have introduced an agreement form for reviewing the care plans to help with this process. Residents are fully aware of the care provision and give their consent to it. Risk assessments are completed in different areas, for example, moving and handling or nutrition. The assessments record the level of support the resident needs to minimise the risks to them. The home has a good number of nursing beds, special mattresses, cushions and moving and handling equipment to help the residents. Residents can see their GP at any time and weekly visit reports are completed. If a resident has to be admitted to hospital the AQAA reported that a hospital tracking form is filled in so that the information is stored in one place and to help with the arrangements for a speedy discharge back to the home. The home provides end of life care and staff attend courses at the local hospice. They have achieved an award called the Gold Standard Framework for this care provision. A link nurse attends the hospice for three monthly meetings to liaise with the hospice staff and to seek advice when needed. The staff provide a very good range of activities and there is a therapy room in the basement, where residents can be together to enjoy social occasions. This room also has rehabilitation equipment, which is used according to assessed need. Designated trained staff provide activities five days a week and the sessions are arranged on a one to basis or within a group. Activities include, trips out from the home, hand massage, relaxation, music, entertainment, bingo and board games. The activities for the week are displayed so residents know what is going on. The residents have use of the homes transport when going out. The AQAA reported that the home has recently purchased a motability vehicle with a hydraulic lift to help residents who need a wheelchair. The home would like to recruit volunteers to help with the social activities. Annual Service Review Page 5 of 9 The manager and deputy manager hold weekly coffee mornings and approximately six residents attend. The AQAA reported that these are popular, as smaller numbers of people get together. Resident meetings are held for everyone on a regular basis so that the residents can give their views of the home. Listening to people has brought about the introduction of a breakfast club, where again a small number of residents meet up and they are taken out for breakfast by the therapy staff. The home has a chapel for residents to worship and attend a service of their choice. There is also a a hairdressing salon and small laundry room should residents wish to care for their own clothes. Links are promoted within the community and local colleges. This enables the residents to access courses of their choice. The complaints procedure can be found in the Service User Guide and Statement of Purpose. This details each stage of the complaint procedure and timescales for responding. All complaints and grumbles are documented and residents can access an independent advocate if they so wish. The AQAA reported that one complaint was received and this was upheld following an investigation. There are policies and procedures to safeguard people and the staff have access to Seftons local guidelines for reporting alleged incidences to the relevant agencies. Safeguarding training for the staff is arranged and also discussed when new staff start their employment. There have been no safeguarding referrals from the home. There have also been no referrals under the Deprivation of Liberty safeguards. These are measures put in place to protect people who may lack capacity to make decisions regarding their welfare. The AQAA reported that all staff are recruited following the correct procedures and in accordance with the Human Resources Department of the organisation. An equal opportunities statement helps to ensure staff are recruited fairly. All new staff receive an induction and they are given a staff handbook. An allocated mentor helps the new staff to assist them as they learn the skills to carry out their work. The registered nurse hours have been increased to help care for the residents with nursing needs. The extra hours are allocated to the busiest time of the day to help the staff deliver the care. The AQAA reported that 72 of staff have achieved an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in Care at Level 2 or above. The home is an accredited training centre with in house assessors and verifiers who help train the staff with their qualification. The organisation has a national training officer to assist with staff development and all staff attend training in safe working practices, so that they have the skills and knowledge to undertake their job role. The AQAA reported that the manager wishes to provide more training for the staff in areas such as nutrition, first aid, infection control and an NVQ management course for the deputy manager. Improvements in the last twelve months include twelve staff being trained as fire wardens. Staff receive supervision of their job role which helps to identify their training needs. It is evident the organisation has a commitment to learning and development. The home is maintained to a good standard and rooms are subject to redecoration and refurbishment as needed. Plans include the provision of a room for overnight accommodation for visitors. The AQAA reported that residents can choose their own colour schemes for their room and they have a choice of bathing facilities. Showers and baths are adapted to help people who are less able. Improvements to the home include the provision of sensor mats and special call bells for people who are vulnerable or at Annual Service Review Page 6 of 9 risk of falling. Staff have access to gloves, aprons and hand gel to minimise the risk of cross infection and these measures are continually reviewed to ensure they are working effectively. Residents can enjoy their meals in a spacious dining room and there is plenty of communal space to relax in comfortable surroundings. There is a new manager in post, Ms Jan Habeck. Ms Habeck worked previously as the deputy and has many years experience in caring for older people. Ms Habeck is in the process of applying to the Commission for the position of registered manager and is also undertaking the new award for care managers, Leadership and Management for Care Services Award, as part of her development. The manager is a registered nurse and maintains her registration number through the NMC (Nursing Midwifery Council) to enable her to practice. She also attends training in safe practices with her staff. The manager is supported by a deputy and a full compliment of staff to care for the residents. The service continues to let us know about things that have happened since our last key inspection and they have shown that they have managed issues well. They work well with us and have show us that the service continues to provide good outcomes for the people who use it. The manager completes Regulation 37 reports. These provide details of incidences that affect the welfare of people using the service. To ensure the home is providing a high quality service, they seek the views of the residents, their family and friends. Residents complete satisfaction questionnaires and the information received helps the manager to ensure the service is run in their best interests. Residents, staff and relatives also receive a quarterly newsletter regarding what is going on in the home. The AQAA reported that a suggestion box has been introduced in accordance with peoples wishes and this is is beneficial for shy residents, relatives and staff who do not wish to speak up at meetings. Senior management conduct monthly visits to the home and write a report of their findings. This includes meeting residents and staff and looking at various documents relating to the service. Three monthly visits are also conducted by the Chief Executive and the directors. These measures help to ensure standards are monitored and maintained in the home. Two external quality awards have been awarded to the staff in recognition of their achievements in care. The AQAA provided information regarding policies and procedures for safe working and also contracts and safety checks for equipment and services. For example contracts for the gas and electric supply and for fire safety. This helps to keep people safe. The AQAA provided details of how residents are treated as individuals and that care is given in accordance with their wishes. This is irrespective of their psychological, physical and cultural needs. Residents are assured they can receive care in safe surroundings and are able to decide how they wish to spend their day with the full support of well trained staff. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? The Care Quality Commission will continue to monitor information about this service and will carry out an inspection when required. We can inspect the service at any time if we have concerns about the quality of the service or the safety of the people using it. Annual Service Review Page 7 of 9 Annual Service Review Page 8 of 9 Reader Information Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Annual service review CQC General Public 0870 240 7535 (national contact centre) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. The content of which can be found on our website. 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 copy of the findings 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. Annual Service Review 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!