CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Alsager Court Care Centre Sandbach Road North Church Lawton Stoke On Trent Staffordshire ST7 3RG Lead Inspector
Sue Dolley Key Unannounced Inspection 8 May 2008 09:40 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 Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.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. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION
Name of service Alsager Court Care Centre Address Sandbach Road North Church Lawton Stoke On Trent Staffordshire ST7 3RG 08453 455743 01270 883256 helen.haughton@blanchworth.co.uk WWW.Blanchworth.co.uk Mrs Sally Anne Manby Roberts Mr Jeremy Walsh Mrs Sylvia June Knox Care Home 27 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) Category(ies) of Dementia - over 65 years of age (7), Old age, registration, with number not falling within any other category (27) of places Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION
Conditions of registration: 1 The registered person may provide the following category/ies 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 (maximum number of places: 27) Dementia, over 65 years of age - Code DE (E) (maximum number of places: 7) The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 27 2 The following bedrooms are excluded for the provision of care with nursing (N): 3, 7, 8, 24 7 February 2008 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: Alsager Court Care Centre is a 27-bedded care home for older people. Up to a maximum of 15 residents may have nursing needs and up to a maximum of 7 residents may be over 65 years of age and have dementia care needs. The home is situated off a busy main road in a residential area of Church Lawton, near Alsager. It provides ground floor accommodation and is set within two acres of landscaped gardens. There are 24 single rooms and 2 rooms, which could be shared to a maximum of 27 places. Sixteen of the rooms have en-suite facilities. The current owners took over the running of the home in September 2001. Each person living at the home is provided with a written contract which specific information relating to their room, the fees and any additional cost and the terms and conditions. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY
This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The overall quality rating for this service is 1 star. This means that the people who use the service experience adequate quality outcomes.
This unannounced visit took place on 8 May 2008 and lasted almost seven hours. This was to assess if the residents’ needs were being met at the home. Prior to the visit the a representative of the company was asked to complete a questionnaire to provide up to date information about the services in the home. CSCI questionnaires were also made available to people living in the home and to staff members working in the home. The comments from the completed questionnaires helped to inform the inspection process. Information received since the last site visit was considered. Three people living at he home were spoken with to obtain their views about the care and services provided. Discussions were held with members of staff about their understanding of adult protection and about the training they had received about helping to keep people safe. What the service does well:
Staff members know the people they care for very well. There is a family type atmosphere, which encourages positive relationships between staff members, people living at the home and their relatives. People receive respectful care so their privacy and dignity is maintained. The home is well maintained so it provides a welcoming, bright and comfortable environment for the people who live there. Staff turnover is low and staff members are provided with appropriate training to enhance their skills and knowledge to enable them to do their jobs well. Complaints are few and are well managed so people can be confident their concerns will be listened to and acted upon. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 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. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.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 Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.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 People who use this service experience good outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using available evidence including a visit to this service. The needs of people are thoroughly assessed prior to being placed at the home, to ensure their needs can be met there. EVIDENCE: Prior to potential placements a registered nurse from the home carries out a pre-admission assessment. Information is gathered from a number of different sources to identify all care needs and to ensure they can be met by the home. The pre-admission documentation and initial assessments for three people who recently moved into the home were read during the visit. The pre admission assessments had taken place in a variety of settings. Information to inform the assessments was gathered from the person being assessed, their relatives and carers at home, and from social work and health care professionals. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 The information obtained had helped to build a detailed picture of each person, had enabled the assessor to clearly identify care and support needs and develop plans of care for daily living and the longer term. Two assessment summaries were not dated or signed by the assessors and the agreements to the placement had not been recorded. Dislikes and food allergies had not been recorded for one person. Upon admission one admission checklist had not been dated or signed, and a property inventory had not been completed. Advice was given at feedback to the inspection regarding this. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 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 and 11 People who use this service experience adequate outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using available evidence including a visit to this service. People receive attentive and respectful care to ensure their personal care needs are met. Improvements in the recording and administration of medication need to be made to ensure people cared for receive their medication as prescribed. EVIDENCE: The care files of three people living at the home were checked. They provided a pen picture to describe each person and provided care and nursing staff with background information. In each case a key worker had been identified and there was evidence to show that prompt referrals had been made to various health professionals as necessary. The outcomes of healthcare visits were well documented and relatives had been kept informed of any changes. Each detailed action to be taken by staff to ensure all aspects of health and personal care needs were met was recorded.
Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 The daily records of care were informative and the sufficient information was supplied to alert staff to any changes and to enable continuity of care to be provided. Checklists were maintained to ensure help with personal hygiene was provided. Information about their wishes in the event of death had not been recorded for the three people who had moved into the home during November 2007, February 2008 and April 2008. Care plans had been reviewed monthly or more frequently as necessary. Staff members were observed to provide attentive, courteous and respectful care and support. Prior to the site visit ten people being cared for at the home had completed a questionnaire supplied by the Commission for Social Inspection with the help of a carer. They provided very positive views about the quality of care and support provided. Several people described the care staff as very good, kind and attentive. Three people spoken with during the visit confirmed that staff members were respectful and courteous and helped to maintain privacy and dignity. One person said nothing was too much trouble for staff and another person said, “Staff can’t do enough for me, they are friendly and respectful and are kind to my visitors”. Several survey respondents thought that the home was understaffed and said they often had to wait a little while if they pressed the call alarm for help, as staff were busy with other people. The information provided before the visit stated that the manager has audited the medication administration more frequently during the last twelve months. Records within the home provided evidence of periodic checks by the manager and other representatives of the company and highlighted anomalies, gaps in recording and stock discrepancies. The controlled drug book and controlled drug stocks were checked during the visit and were correct. The medication administration records were checked for 14 April 2008 to 8 May 2008. The medication files contained sample signatures and initials and copies of the medication administration policy and guidance for staff. Many gaps in recording were found and no explanation was given for some medication, which had been signed as given, but signed in error. Staff were inconsistently recording the medication to be ‘taken as required’. Some recorded this only if it had been given, and others used omission code ‘A’ to indicate it had been refused. Omission code ‘G’ was used which indicates that there is an explanatory note, but no explanation was provided. Some medication had not been offered as frequently as indicated it could be given. The volume of anomalies was such that accurate checking of stock balances would not be possible. This evidence indicates a need for improvement, including frequent monitoring of medication administration records, stock balances and staff competency. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 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,and 15 People who use this service experience good outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using available evidence including a visit to this service. People living at the home are encouraged to take part in a range of appropriate leisure activities to ensure they have opportunities to satisfy their social and recreational needs. EVIDENCE: Routines within the home are flexible and people spoken with confirmed that they had been encouraged to make decisions and choices about participating in activities, about times of rising and retiring and meal preferences. People living at the home had been encouraged to personalise their bedrooms with items of furniture, photographs and other personal effects important to them. There are opportunities for people to engage in regular activities and information in care files provides details of social and recreational interests. An activities co-ordinator and a number of staff on a rota basis take responsibility for initiating and leading activities. A collective record and individual records of activities were seen and provided evidence of a range of appropriate activities enjoyed by people living at the home.
Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 Minutes of residents’ meetings were read. Meetings had been held on 2 May and 31 July 2007. There was an intention to hold more frequent residents’ meetings to enable people at the home to have a forum for discussion. A further meeting had been planned for 14 May 2008. People living at the home were seen being visited by relatives and friends. The visitors were warmly welcomed by staff and were offered tea and coffee. For a small charge, visitors can take a meal within the home if they wish. Menus have been devised with the help of a dietician to ensure meals provided are nutritionally balanced. Menus covering a two-day period are displayed in the dining room. A wide choice of hot or cold breakfast items is always available and alternatives can be prepared as requested. Catering staff members are made aware of people’s food preferences. Planned activities are usually advertised on the notice board in the reception area. The manager was advised that the activities notice on display during the visit was out of date and related to activities for week beginning 21 April 2008. During the inspection visit, there was a sale of clothing. People living at the home were assisted by staff members to select and purchase various items of clothing. The sale was unhurried and much enjoyed. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 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 and 18 People who use this service experience good outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using available evidence including a visit to the service. There is a clear and effective complaints procedure in place so that people living at the home and their supporters can express their views and concerns and gain responses. Staff members are trained so they can protect people who live at the home from abuse. EVIDENCE: The complaints procedure is included within the statement of purpose and service user guide for the home and these documents are provided to all prospective residents. The procedure is also displayed on the notice board in the reception area. During the last twelve months two complaints had been received. These were responded to appropriately and were not upheld. There was evidence of staff members attending in house training in Dementia Care, in Managing Challenging Behaviour and in the Protection of Vulnerable Adults. In discussion with three members of staff, they demonstrated a clear understanding of possible forms of abuse and understood how they could report any concerns and help to protect people. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.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 and 26 People who use this service experience good outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using available evidence including a visit to this service. Alsager Court is well furnished and maintained so it provides people with a comfortable, clean and hygienic environment in which to live. EVIDENCE: Alsager Court provides ground floor accommodation and people living at the home have easy access to the gardens surrounding the home. There are twenty-three single bedrooms and two other bedrooms which can be used for double of single occupancy. 64 of bedrooms provide en-suite facilities. Communal areas consist of a drawing room, sun lounge and a spacious dining area. This allows people the freedom to choose where to spend quiet time and where to socialise with others. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 A tour of the premises was undertaken during the inspection visit. All the communal areas, the shared bathrooms and toilets, the kitchen, laundry and six bedrooms were checked. The premises were fresh, clean and welcoming. The following housekeeping matters were noted and discussed at feedback to the inspection. A toilet off the main dining area was without a door. The manager confirmed that a new folding door had been ordered and had been awaited for several months. The toilet area near to the main entrance was in need of redecoration. Some repainting was necessary to a wall above the sink in the kitchen and a badly stained carpet in a corridor area leading from the dining room needed attention. The home is suitably equipped to aid mobility and each of the bedrooms seen had been personalised and arranged to suit individual needs and abilities. The survey forms completed by people living at the home contained very positive comments about the standard of cleanliness throughout Alsager Court. People living at the home praised the cleaning staff and said that they were very good. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.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 and 30. People who use this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using available evidence including a visit to this service. Staff recruitment procedures are thorough to protect people living at the home and staff members are well trained to ensure a good standard of care is provided. People’s needs are met within the home although Alsager Court sometimes relies heavily on the support of agency staffing to maintain staffing levels. EVIDENCE: Alsager Court has an established group of staff working well as a team with some staffing shortfalls covered by agency staff. The staffing rota clearly identified which member of staff was the person in charge and there were sufficient staff members recorded on the duty rota to meet personal care needs. The recruitment record was checked for one member of staff most recently employed and all the necessary staff checks had been undertaken. A robust recruitment procedure is in place to help safeguard people living at the home. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 A staff -training plan has been developed and was in place to ensure all staff members have up to date training relevant to the tasks they perform. In addition, staff can access the Blanchworth Care National Vocational Qualification Centre and are able to undertake NVQ Levels 2 and 3 within the workplace. They are assessed by qualified colleagues within the home setting. It was evident from four staff responses to a staff survey prior to the site visit that staff members felt well supported by appropriate and regular training. Many staff members have valued the opportunity to undertake training on a variety of subject matters and have been keen to gain qualification. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.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 and 38 People who use this service experience good outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using available evidence including a visit to this service. The home is well managed so people living there benefit from the supportive environment provided. The manager is committed to trying to ensure the health, welfare and safety of people cared for and the staff members. EVIDENCE: The manager is a qualified nurse and is competent and experienced in the delivery of care to older people. There is an open and inclusive management style and the manager has achieved the Registered Managers Award. The manager participates in the delivery of care and has some supernumerary management time each week. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 A representative of the company undertakes monthly monitoring visits to the home, to ensure the smooth running of the home, to talk to people living at the home and to provide guidance to management and staff. Examples of reports of these visits were read and provided evidence of close monitoring of the home. All money is safeguarded by accounting practices and individual balance sheets are kept for any money held for safekeeping. A sample of four personal account balances, records and receipts was checked and found to be accurate, providing a full record of all money received and spent. When money is brought into the home, two signatures are obtained. Any person wishing to have their finances managed for them has an individual bank account, which provides statements and the ability to access funds as required. The manager ensures safe working practices through training and through risk assessments carried out to identify, reduce and manage risks. Accidents records were checked and accidents had been well recorded. A current certificate of employers liability insurance was on display in the reception area. All the necessary policies and procedures were available for staff members to refer to help guide their practice. The fire policies and procedures manual was checked and contained some evidence of fire safety checks. Further evidence of fire alarm and fire safety checks undertaken was provided by post within days of the inspection, as this information could not be located during the site visit. Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.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 N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 2 8 3 9 1 10 3 11 2 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 2 X X X X X X 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 3 X X 3 Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.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 OP9 Regulation 13(2) Requirement The registered person must make arrangements for medicine records to be correct, clear and made at the time of giving the medicines so there is accurate evidence that people living in the home have received their medicines safely, as prescribed. Timescale for action 31/05/08 2 OP9 13(2) The registered person must 31/05/08 make arrangements for residents to have their medicines to the prescribed directions, particularly those medicines that are prescribed to be taken as required. The registered person must 30/06/08 ensure that a replacement door is fitted to a toilet area off the dining area to protect the privacy and dignity of people living at the home. 3 OP19 23(2)(b) Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 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 Care plans should be audited regularly to ensure care records are completed fully and provide the basis for the care to be delivered. The care planning documentation should include information about people’s wishes in the event of death. Regular and frequent audits of medicine recording and administration should take place to make sure that staff are giving people their medicines as prescribed and are recording this accurately. 2 OP9 Alsager Court Care Centre DS0000006648.V364717.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 Commission for Social Care Inspection Unit1, 3rd Floor Tustin Court Port Way Preston PR2 2YQ National Enquiry Line: Tel: 01772 730 100 Fax: 01772 730 176 Email: enquiries.northwest@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk
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