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Please note that the information on this website is now out of date.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 11/07/05 for Altham Court Nursing Home

Also see our care home review for Altham Court Nursing Home for more information

This inspection was carried out on 11th July 2005.

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

The home is very well organised and managed, with well trained staff who are well supported and have a good knowledge of residents needs. Residents have detailed comprehensive care plans, which are reviewed regularly. Comments included" My sister has been here six years and my husband was here 4 years before he passed away. Things change, but they have been looked after very well, with kindness." " My mother has been in this home for just over two months but as early on as in the first week, I could see an improvement in her quality of life. The staff are fully committed to increasing this improvement and nothing is too much trouble. The staffing levels and caliber of nursing and care staff are excellent. I can know relax, knowing that my mother is so well looked after, unlike her previous experience in residential care." 50% of the staff team have an N.V.Q. qualification.

What has improved since the last inspection?

The home now writes to prospective residents informing them whether they are able to meet their assessed needs. All medicines administered to residents is now accurately recorded in line with the homes medication policies and procedures.

What the care home could do better:

Adult protection training is provided once a year to the home, this means that newly appointed staff may have to wait some time to attend this training. Training should be available more often to allow this, or some in house training provided until the training is available.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Altham Court Altham Terrace Lincoln Lincs LN6 7SP Lead Inspector Wilma Crawford Unannounced 11 July 2005 09:30 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 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. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Altham Court Address Altham Terrace Lincoln Lincs LN6 7SP 01522 511373 01522 511471 Telephone number Fax number Email address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) BUPA Care Homes Limited Mrs Linda Carol Burrows Care home with nursing 48 Category(ies) of OP Old age - 48 registration, with number PD Physical disability - 6 of places Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: None. Date of last inspection 07 October 2004 Brief Description of the Service: The home is owned and run by the BUPA organisation and employs a care manager and social care manager (deputy manager). This home is situated in a quiet lane within walking distance from the City Centre. The home has extensive and well-kept gardens, which have garden furniture for the comfort of service users. Altham Court is registered for forty-eight service users 5 of who have a physical disability and provides both personal care and nursing care for older people. This is a purpose built home with all services situated on ground floor level, with two double-shared bedrooms and forty-four single rooms with en-suite facilities giving a total number of beds of forty eight. Car parking is to the front of the building and there is a bus service close by, which relatives can use to visit this home. The homes statement of purpose states that its aim is to ‘provide our customers with the highest quality service. We will use our health and care knowledge, specialist skills and values to deliver an individual service to our customers.’ Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The inspection took place over 5 hours. A tour of part of the premises was conducted with the manager. The main method of inspection used was called case tracking which involved selecting two residents and tracking the care they receive through the checking of their records, discussion with them, the care staff and observation of care practices. A pre-inspection questionnaire was completed by the manager, and 12 comment cards from relatives were received, which were very positive What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: Adult protection training is provided once a year to the home, this means that newly appointed staff may have to wait some time to attend this training. Training should be available more often to allow this, or some in house training provided until the training is available. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 6 Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The full report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 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 Standards Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 8 Choice of Home The intended outcomes for Standards 1 – 6 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Prospective service users have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. Each service user has a written contract/ statement of terms and conditions with the home. No service user moves into the home without having had his/her needs assessed and been assured that these will be met. Service users and their representatives know that the home they enter will meet their needs. Prospective service users and their relatives and friends have an opportunity to visit and assess the quality, facilities and suitability of the home. Service users assessed and referred solely for intermediate care are helped to maximise their independence and return home. The Commission considers Standards 3 and 6 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 2,4.Standard 6 does not apply as the home does not provide an intermediate care service. The home undertakes comprehensive assessments before people are admitted to the home to ensure that the home can meet their needs. Potential residents visit the home prior to admission to make sure that the home is suitable for them EVIDENCE: The home has an admission policy and procedure, which includes an assessment being carried out prior to admission, this is undertaken to make sure that the home can meet prospective residents needs. Resident’s records included contractual information and demonstrated that the home has a thorough assessment procedure. Records demonstrated that care needs are regularly reviewed and involve residents. A staff member gave an account of the assessment process, which reflected the homes written procedure. Residents spoken to confirmed they liked living at the home and were aware that the home keeps records about them. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 9 Health and Personal Care The intended outcomes for Standards 7 – 11 are: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The service user’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Service users’ health care needs are fully met. Service users, where appropriate, are responsible for their own medication, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Service users are assured that at the time of their death, staff will treat them and their family with care, sensitivity and respect. The Commission considers Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 7,8,9,10 The care planning system in operation provides detailed information and contributes to making sure that the health and care needs of residents and their preferred lifestyles are met. This is supported by good liaison with healthcare services, medication storage and administration systems and well informed staff. EVIDENCE: Each resident has an individual plan of care. This contains detailed information relating to individual care needs. Care plans included evidence that these had been discussed and agreed with residents and two residents spoken to confirmed that they were aware that the home keeps records about them. Care records are well organised and easily available. They are reviewed on a monthly basis. Discussion with two residents indicated that they were free to choose what they did and were given privacy if they wanted it. The involvement of other health professionals was well documented. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 10 There are policies and procedures in place with regard to the receipt, storage, administration and disposal of medication and Nursing staff, have responsibility for the administration of medicines. Storage arrangements are satisfactory. Current residents have been assessed as requiring assistance to administer their medication. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 11 Daily Life and Social Activities The intended outcomes for Standards 12 - 15 are: 12. 13. 14. 15. Service users find the lifestyle experienced in the home matches their expectations and preferences, and satisfies their social, cultural, religious and recreational interests and needs. Service users maintain contact with family/ friends/ representatives and the local community as they wish. Service users are helped to exercise choice and control over their lives. Service users receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing surroundings at times convenient to them. The Commission considers all of the above key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 12,14,15 The home employs an activities coordinator and provides a good range of activities and leisure interests both within the home and community. These are based on residents preferences who are encouraged to make choices about their preferred lifestyles and routines. The home offers a set menu, which is chosen by residents and accommodates individual preferences. Meals are well presented and nutritious. EVIDENCE: General discussion with residents and observations made during the inspection indicated that residents are able to pursue a variety of activities and leisure interests, including activities such as bingo, creative fun, music quiz, gentle exercise and 1:1 visits. Observations indicated that residents have a choice as to what they do at the home. For example on the day a resident told the inspector that he had attended a VE party at the weekend and then a social evening with a singer which he had particularly enjoyed. There is an agreed four week menu, which offers a choice of two hot meals, salads, sandwiches, soups and baked potatoes, followed by a choice of desserts, ice cream or fresh fruit. Residents made comments about the food provided such as, “I like the food” and “there is plenty of it,” “There is plenty of choice.” Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 12 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 standard(s) 16,18 Residents are protected by procedures in place for handling complaints and allegations of abuse. Staff were clear in relation to the action to be taken should either event occur. EVIDENCE: BUPA have a complaints procedure and an adult protection procedure. Staff comments indicated they were aware of correct reporting procedures and records indicated that they had attended adult protection procedures training, or covered this within their NVQ training and induction to the home. They also said that the procedure had been discussed at a team meeting. Residents commented positively about the care and support they received from staff and felt able to talk over problems with them. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 13 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 standard(s) 19,21,22,26 The home is well maintained with an on-going programme of redecoration and maintenance. It provides comfortable and clean accommodation for residents who are involved in the choice of décor and furnishings of the home and are able to personalise their bedrooms as they wish. The home provides equipment to promote residents independence within the home EVIDENCE: Bathrooms and toilets were clean and are lockable. There are hoists available and handrails to assist residents. Residents’ comments were positive about their bedrooms and each room viewed was individually decorated and furnished and contained personal items reflecting individual interests and tastes. One resident spoken with said that he particularly liked his room as he enjoyed the view of the garden. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 14 Residents’ confirmed that they are consulted as to choice of decor and bed linen/curtains. There is an on-going programme of redecoration and refurbishment. During a tour of the building it was found to be clean, tidy and comfortably furnished with no unpleasant odours. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 15 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 considers Standards 27, 29, and 30 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 27,30 The staff group are an established team and staffing levels are sufficient to meet the current needs of residents. Staff are provided with training to ensure their competency and have the skills and experience needed to carry out their roles and are committed to the work they do EVIDENCE: All residents spoken to were complimentary about the care staff provide. A key worker named nurse, system is in operation giving staff specific responsibilities for specific residents. All residents spoken to were aware of who their key worker was and all felt able to raise any problems with them should they arise. Discussion and records demonstrated that there are always a minimum of eight care staff and two nurses rostered on duty in the mornings and the same in the afternoons. There is one nurse and three carers available during the night. Staff members spoken to felt that there was enough staff available in the home. 50 of the current staff team are trained to N.V.Q level two or three. A newly appointed member of staff had received a thorough induction and completed all mandatory training courses since her appointment. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 16 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 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 31,32,36 The home is managed competently and the staff are supported and supervised to carry out their roles. EVIDENCE: The manager and the assistant manager are competent through their experience and qualifications to run the home and they work closely as a team. The manger has 22 years experience in delivering care to older people. She has been the manager of the home for 9 years and has completed N.V.Q level 5. The registered manager commented that she is still enjoying the challenge that this post offers. Staff said they are well supported and they are confident to approach the manager with concerns or ideas. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 17 The assistant manager supervises the staff both formally and during every day observation. Annual appraisals take place and the format of these has recently been improved. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 18 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. Where there is no score against a standard it has not been looked at during this inspection. 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 ENVIRONMENT Standard No 1 2 3 4 5 6 Score Standard No 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Score N/A 3 4 3 N/A N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 3 10 3 11 N/A DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 N/A 14 3 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION 3 N/A 3 3 N/A N/A N/A 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 N/A 29 N/A 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score Standard No 16 17 18 Score 3 N/A 3 4 3 N/A N/A N/A 3 N/A N/A Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 19 No Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? 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 Regulation Requirement Timescale for action RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. 1. Refer to Standard 18 Good Practice Recommendations Adult protection training is provided once a year to the home, this means that newly appointed staff may have to wait some time to attend this training. Training should be available more often to allow this, or some in house training provided until the training is available. Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 20 Commission for Social Care Inspection Unity House, The Point Weaver Road off Whisby Road Lincoln, LN6 3QN National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk © This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI Altham Court C53-C04 S2528 AlthamCourt V237801 110705 Stage 4.doc Version 1.20 Page 21 - 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!