Inspection on 30/10/07 for Alma Lodge Residential Care Home

This inspection was carried out on 30th October 2007.

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

Alma Lodge Residential Care Home 03/07/06

Alma Lodge Residential Care Home 23/01/06

Alma Lodge Residential Care Home 26/07/05

Alma Lodge Residential Care Home 13/10/04

Alma Lodge Residential Care Home 25/05/04

Similar services:

St Helier`s Residential Hotel

St Joseph`s

Ridgemount

Wingham Court

Old Hastings House

The Shelley

Springfield House

Sutton Lodge Nursing Home

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

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Alma Lodge Residential Care Home 5 Staveley Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN20 7LH Lead Inspector Rebecca Shewan Key Unannounced Inspection 09:50 30th October 2007 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 Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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. Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Alma Lodge Residential Care Home Address 5 Staveley Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN20 7LH 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) 01323 734208 01323 734208 dawn.owasil@tesco.net Mr Ahmed Owasil Mrs Dawn Owasil Mrs Dawn Owasil Mr Ahmed Owasil Care Home 14 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (14) of places Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. 2. 3. The maximum number of service users to be accommodated is fourteen (14). Service users to be aged sixty-five (65) years or over on admission. The home is permitted to accommodate one named service user who is under the age of sixty-five (65) years on admission. 3rd July 2006 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: Alma Lodge is a family-run service, which is registered to provide residential care to fourteen older people. The home is a two-storey detached property situated in a quiet residential area of The Meads in Eastbourne. The home is located in close proximity to the seafront and the town centre is approximately one mile away. Service user accommodation consists of ten single rooms and two shared rooms (one of which is single occupancy). Communal areas comprise of a lounge/dining room and a conservatory, which is the homes designated smoking area. The home has a lift, which enables service users to access both floors of the home, although there are three steps on the first floor to reach the bathroom and toilet. There is an assisted bathroom with a built in hoist and the home also has a mobile hoist. The cost of rooms is between £352 and £420 per week, with additional charges made for hairdressing, newspapers/magazines and chiropody. The home does not advertise, people who are living there found out about the home via word of mouth or by their placement officer. Potential new service users can obtain information relating to the home via the internet, CSCI Inspection Reports, Care Managers, Placing Authorities, by word of mouth, by contacting the home direct and by obtaining the homes vacancy list via the Registered Care Home Association website. Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This unannounced inspection took place during the morning and afternoon of the 30th October 2007. Incident reports, previous inspection reports and the home’s Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA), held by the Commission for Social Care Inspection, were read before the inspection. The inspection of the home took four and a quarter hours. A tour of the whole home was undertaken and the Registered Manager, two staff and five service users (known as residents), were spoken with. Records such as care plans, staff files and medication records were also viewed. Ten Service User Surveys were distributed of which nil were returned. Comments received included: ‘I love living here. Everybody is treated the same, there is no special treatment for any one person’ ‘The food is always lovely and plentiful, I can ask for seconds if I want them!’ ‘The activities are alright but they could be more exciting, I know that the staff are looking into finding other activities’ ‘The management team are always open to new ideas and are always approachable’ Eleven residents were accommodated at the home at the time of the inspection. What the service does well: The home ensures that pre- admission assessments are carried out on all new and potential residents with only those who needs can be met, being admitted to the home. The health needs of residents are well met with evidence of good multi disciplinary working taking place. Staff provide personal support to residents in such a way that promotes and protects resident’s privacy and dignity. Activities are arranged according to resident choice. Mealtimes are unhurried and all meals are home cooked with an alternative option being available for each mealtime. Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 There is an efficient complaints procedure in place and the homes processes and staff training should protect residents in the event of an allegation of abuse. The location and layout of the home are suitable for its stated purpose. All areas of the home are accessible to residents. The home has a staff team that have the necessary skills and experience to the meet the needs of current residents. Staff training is on going and is appropriate to the level of needs of current residents. The management and administration of the home is good, with evidence of consideration being given to resident’s and/or relatives opinion. 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. The summary of this inspection report can be made available in other formats on request. Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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 Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 3&6 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The home has processes in place for assessing potential new resident’s with services being offered to only those resident’s whose needs can be met. EVIDENCE: The home’s Registered Manager and/or Deputy Manager carry out preadmission assessments. The home obtains a copy of a care management assessment from a placing authority where this exists. The Registered Manager reported that any issues, which are highlighted within this assessment, are addressed by the home and documented records are maintained of all correspondence with the placing authority. Records inspected showed that preadmission assessments are carried out on all new and potential residents. Residents confirmed that they had been involved in the assessment process and had felt included in their admission to the home. Intermediate care is not offered by this home. Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 7,8,9 & 10 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Residents are offered a good provision of health care and personal support by the home. All care is administered in way that protects residents privacy and dignity. Medication procedures ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to ensure errors do not occur and that medications are stored and administered safely. EVIDENCE: Three residents individual care plans were viewed and it was noted that these were detailed in content and covered all aspects of resident’s needs. Residents informed the inspector that care plans are devised with their involvement. It was also noted that details of any specialist interventions required e.g. for the management of nutrition, pressure area care and wound dressings are specified and recorded in residents care plans. Suitable risk assessments were also found to be in place. Documented records viewed supported this. From the records sampled and from discussions with staff, it was evidenced that the health needs of residents are well met with evidence of good multi Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 disciplinary working taking place, on a required basis. The Registered Manager said that residents can be registered with a GP of their own choice or one from any of the local surgeries. Resident’s are encouraged to attend the GP surgery were able and home visits are conducted when necessary. Referrals to the Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Dietician and Audiologist are made via the GP or the hospital. The home has access to pressure relieving equipment. The home has good procedures in place for the monitoring and recording of all drugs entering and leaving the home. The stores for medication were viewed and these were found to be maintained in a clean and orderly manner. A new medication administration system has been implemented by the home (within the last week) and the Registered Manager reported that there have been some teething problems but that these were being resolved. Staff were observed providing personal support to service users in such a way that promoted and protected residents privacy and dignity. Residents spoken with said that care staff were ‘kind and respected privacy at all times’. Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12, 13, 14 & 15 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The home provides good social, cultural and recreational facilities, including specialist diets to residents, with resident’s choice and wishes being respected. EVIDENCE: Residents said that they enjoyed many of the home’s activities and that the home staff were flexible in allowing residents to choose the level of activities attended. A published list of activities is made available to residents, with residents being informed of special events being held in the home. Residents reported that they are supported to attend the local community, whilst one resident is supported to attend a local day centre three times a week. Resident’s religious wishes are observed and arrangements are in place for residents to receive Holy Communion if they wish. Discussions with the Registered Manager highlighted that although the current residents fell into a specific age group and had similar religious beliefs, the home would welcome any potential new resident who has special cultural/religious/spiritual beliefs and would make provision to accommodate their needs. The home believes in promoting an equal and diverse culture among staff and residents. Contact Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 with family and friends is positively encouraged with visitors being able to attend the home at any time and in accordance with the resident’s wishes. Residents spoken with confirmed this. Residents are treated with respect and there is a good rapport between staff of the home and residents. This was observed at the time of the inspection. Residents reported that the home assists them to maintain their independence with their daily living and daily routines. The home’s menus are devised on a four week rolling programme. Residents spoken with stated that there is ‘a good variety of food and that the menus are varied.’ All meals are home cooked with an alternative option available for each mealtime. Mealtimes can be varied upon request and residents guests are also welcome to have meals at the home. Medical, therapeutic or religious diets are provided as needed. Drinks and snacks are available at all times. The meal served during the inspection was ample in quantity and attractively presented. Mealtimes were observed to be unhurried. Residents spoken with reported that ‘the food is very good here, we often get too much!’, ‘The food is always good but I would like it more if we could have more pasta dishes.’, ‘ the staff have been very helpful in making sure my meals are not too big, I am on a diet and my meal size is important’ and ‘the Sunday is the best I have ever had and I wish we could have it everyday!’. Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 16 & 18 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Resident’s benefit from a robust and efficient complaints procedure, whilst the homes procedures, processes and staff training should protect resident’s in the event of an allegation of abuse. EVIDENCE: The home has an established complaints procedure in place. The home has a ‘minor Complaints’ book that details issues that have been raised by service users in relation to food, noise levels and laundry. The home received twenty four ‘minor’ complaints within the past twelve months, which have been recorded as addressed within the response time specified by the home’s policies and procedures. The complaints have now been resolved and appropriate action was taken by the home to address the concerns raised. Three residents were asked whether they knew about the homes complaint procedure, all responded that any concerns they have raised have always been have been taken seriously and resolved to their satisfaction. Both CRB and Protection of Vulnerable Adult (POVA) checks are carried out on all new staff. Staff have attended training in the Protection of Vulnerable adults within the last twelve months. This was evident from the staff files that were viewed and from staff spoken with during the inspection process. Staff said that they were confident that in the event of an allegation of abuse, they would Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 know the correct procedure to follow. The home has a copy of the East Sussex County Council Multi-agency Procedures for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults. There has been one Safeguarding Alert in the last twelve months. Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19 & 26 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The home provides accommodation for residents that is safe, hygienic and odour free, whilst infection control procedures are adhered to at all times. EVIDENCE: The location and layout of the home are suitable for its stated purpose. The home is well maintained and all areas of the home, including the garden, are accessible to residents. The home has an ongoing plan of refurbishment in place. Residents spoken with said that they liked their bedrooms and that the communal areas of the home were comfortable. The home has an infection control policy in place and staff are trained in infection control procedures, this was confirmed by staff training records and by staff spoken with. However it was evidenced that a number of the homes toilet and bathroom areas had communal bars of soap in them. The infection control implications of these items were discussed with the Registered Manager Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 and all such items were removed prior to the conclusion of the inspection and replaced with liquid soap. Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27, 28, 29 & 30 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The home has a staff team that have the necessary skills and experience to the meet the needs of current residents. EVIDENCE: A competent staff team meets the resident’s needs. There is a staff rota in place, which details staff designations and hours of working. The home has a permanent care staff team of ten staff, two Registered Manager’s and eight carers (two of which are Deputy Manager. Nine carers are trained in National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 2, 3 or 4 in care. Whilst one carer is undertaking the training at the current time. This was confirmed in the homes AQAA and from the staff training records viewed. Three staff recruitment files were viewed and it was evidenced that one out of three of these files, contained all the items required under the Care Homes Regulations 2001.Therefore a requirement has been made. The home has an Equal Opportunities policy in place and is an equal opportunities employer. Staff induction training is conducted in line with Skills for Care. Staff training records and the homes AQAA showed that over the last twelve months staff have been provided with a range of training, including Induction Training, Fire Training, Health and Safety, Moving & Handling, Medication, Food Hygiene, Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 Protection of Vulnerable Adults and Infection Control. Additional training has also been provided for Nutrition, Risk Assessing and First Aid. Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31, 33, 35 & 38 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The management and administration of the home is good, with evidence of consideration being given to resident’s choice and opinion, whilst the health, safety and welfare of residents and staff is protected at all times. EVIDENCE: The Registered Manager’s of the home have many years relevant experience in caring for older people. Both Registered Manager’s are Registered Nurses and have achieved the NVQ level qualification in Management. Residents and staff spoken with said that the Managers are friendly, approachable and always take service user’s concerns or comments about the home seriously. The home has recently purchased a new Quality Assurance process, that involves an annual development plan and continual self-monitoring of the Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 home by the Registered Manager’s/Owners. Quality Assurance questionnaires are distributed annually to residents, their representatives and other interested parties. The results of the Quality Assurance audit will be published and made available for all. The Registered Manager reported that staff and residents meetings have recently been implemented. The Manager reported that the home does not take any responsibility for any of the resident’s other finances and that most residents have family, friends or representatives who protect their financial affairs. From the AQAA provided by the home it was evident that fire drills, fire alarm testing and fire equipment checks, water checks and Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) had been carried out within the last twelve months. The homes annual policy reviews are also due to be conducted within the next month. Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 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 3 X X 3 HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 3 10 3 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 3 14 3 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 X 18 3 3 X X X X X X 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 2 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 X 3 X 3 X X 3 Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 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 OP29 Regulation 19 4 (b) (i) Requirement That staff recruitment files are updated to include all items specified by this Regulation and associated Schedules. Timescale for action 30/12/07 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 Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 Commission for Social Care Inspection Maidstone Local Office The Oast Hermitage Court Hermitage Lane Maidstone ME16 9NT National Enquiry Line: Telephone: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone: 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 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 Alma Lodge Residential Care Home DS0000021023.V348607.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 - 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. 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