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Inspection on 31/01/06 for Alexandra House

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

This inspection was carried out on 31st January 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.

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

From these discussions with service users it was evident that the home continued to provide a service that they felt met their needs and expectations. They described the staff in positive tones, saying they had the "patience of Jove" in their dealings with service users, and that "nothing was too much trouble".

What has improved since the last inspection?

The service continues to benefit from a high level of compliance with the National Minimum Standards (NMS), which is a credit to the manager and her team of staff. The minor items identified by the inspector at the previous inspection had all been addressed.

What the care home could do better:

This visit has not highlighted any significant issues although advice was given in respect of the home`s approach to health and safety issues following discussions with service users, which seemed to indicate that health and safety considerations were given frequently as cause for total cessation of an activity, without an alternative arrangement being offered.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Alexandra House Marine Parade Dovercourt Harwich Essex CO12 3JY Lead Inspector Sara Naylor-Wild Unannounced Inspection 31st January 2006 01:00 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 Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.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. Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Alexandra House Address Marine Parade Dovercourt Harwich Essex CO12 3JY 01255 503340 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) home.dov@mha.org.uk home.fxg@mha.org.uk Methodist Homes for the Aged Mrs Yvonne Hawkins Care Home 30 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (30) of places Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. Persons of either sex, aged 65 years and over, who require care by reason of old age only (not to exceed 30 persons) 1st June 2005 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: Alexandra House is situated near the centre of Dovercourt, overlooking the seafront. The home provides care for 30 elderly people over the age of 65 years. Accommodation is offered on three floors, which are served by a passenger lift.The home has a number of communal areas including a sun lounge, two large lounges, a quiet room and dining room. The gardens are at the front and rear of the property, the latter having a summerhouse. Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The unannounced inspection was carried out on 31st January 2006, and the Deputy Manager Vanessa greeted the inspector. As previous inspections had considered the majority of the key standards the inspector considered three further standards and took the opportunity to spend time in discussion with service users. 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. Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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): These standards were not fully assessed. EVIDENCE: Whilst these standards were not fully assessed at this visit, the inspector’s discussions with the service users indicated that they had visited prior to moving into the home. They had been provided with information about the service and felt they had been able to make an informed decision about their choices. Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 8 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): 8. The service users are able to access health advice easily and their health needs are monitored. EVIDENCE: The way in which health needs were addressed was also discussed with service users. They were confident that they had access as they required to health professionals advice, and outlined good services from their local GP, District Nurses and chiropodist. The discussions with service users indicated that they felt the staff were aware of their individual needs and sought to provide a service to meet these. They were aware of care planning and had participated in reviews of their care. Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 9 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): These standards were not fully assessed. EVIDENCE: Discussions with service users highlighted the opportunities they had to participate in activities both in and outside the home. They enjoyed the facilities on offer including the day room and the ease of access to the local amenities. Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 10 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): These standards were not assessed. EVIDENCE: Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 11 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): These standards were not assessed. EVIDENCE: Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 12 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): These standards were not assessed. EVIDENCE: Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 13 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): 35. Service users’ monies held by the home on their behalf are appropriately managed. EVIDENCE: The records relating to monies held on behalf of service users were sampled at the inspection. This evidenced a good standard of accounts with individual records maintained of all transactions, numbered sales receipts, and an independent audit of accounts. Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 14 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 X 8 3 9 X 10 X 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 X 13 X 14 X 15 X COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 X 17 X 18 X X X X X X X X X STAFFING Standard No Score 27 X 28 X 29 X 30 X MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score X X X X 3 X X X Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 15 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. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Alexandra House DS0000017747.V281646.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 16 Commission for Social Care Inspection Colchester Local Office 1st Floor, Fairfax House Causton Road Colchester Essex CO1 1RJ 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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