Inspection on 03/11/05 for Amber House

This inspection was carried out on 3rd November 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.

Other inspections for this house

Amber House 01/07/09

Amber House 15/10/08

Amber House 19/10/06

Amber House 17/08/05

Amber House 20/01/05

Amber House 10/08/04

Similar services:

Turret Villa Retirement Home

Moor House

Mendip House

Beaconsfield Court Care Home

Little Sisters Of The Poor

Manor House

Middleton Hall Ltd

Middlesbrough Intermediate Care Centre

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

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Amber House Martin Way Brunswick Village Newcastle Upon Tyne Tyne & Wear NE13 7EZ Lead Inspector Elaine Malloy Unannounced Inspection 3rd November 2005 10:00 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 DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Amber House Address Martin Way Brunswick Village Newcastle Upon Tyne Tyne & Wear NE13 7EZ 0191 236 8205 0191 236 2162 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) Helpcare Ltd Care Home 30 Category(ies) of Dementia - over 65 years of age (14), Old age, registration, with number not falling within any other category (16) of places DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 17th August 2005 Brief Description of the Service: Amber House is a care home that provides personal care to 16 older people and 14 older people with dementia. The home is located within a residential area of Brunswick Village. Accommodation is over two floors, with a passenger lift. There are 24 single and 3 double bedrooms, 6 of which have en-suite facilities. 3 bathrooms and 7 toilets are provided. There is access to local facilities and public transport. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This inspection was unannounced and took place over 5 hours. Management, staff and residents were spoken to. Surveys were made available to residents and visitors. Each area that the home was asked to improve at the last inspection was checked. The building and a range of records were also inspected. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? The home had taken action on each of the previously required improvements. Staff were carrying out and recording resident toileting programmes to promote continence. Regular social activities, events and outings were now being provided. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 There were significant changes in the building. Many rooms have been redecorated and had new carpets or flooring. Considerable effort was also made to eliminate odours from bedrooms. The owner was now writing reports on the home following monthly visits to check on the standards of the service. 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. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 the following standard(s): 4. Residents and their relatives believe care needs are met, and gave positive feedback on the home’s services. EVIDENCE: DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 9 CSCI comment cards were made available to residents and their relatives/visitors to obtain their views on whether the home meets the needs of residents. 3 residents completed and returned comment cards: Each said they like living here; feel well cared for; staff treat them well; and that their privacy is respected. None wished to be more involved in decision making within the home. Additional comments were made as follows: “I am very happy living here and the staff take good care of me. I enjoy the meals. I always feel clean, warm and comfortable and have a good room”. “Would like shower instead of bath”. One resident indicated he likes being helped to make and receive telephone calls, receiving visitors in private, bath-time, his bedroom, garden and smoking area, pretty and kind staff, and the capable and willing handyman and male carers. 3 relatives/visitors completed and returned comment cards: Each said the staff/owners welcome them into the home at any time; they can visit their friend/relative in private; they are kept informed of important matters affecting their relative/friend; if their relative/friend is not able to make decisions they are consulted about their care; and, in their opinion there are always sufficient numbers of staff on duty. Each was satisfied with the overall care provided. Additional comments were made as follows: “The family feel very lucky to have our relative in nearby Amber House. Lovely small building. Pleasant, well-trained young staff. Nice gardens. Very clean premises. All residents in well-laundered clothes. Entertainment regularly provided”. “ My father has been a resident at Amber House for over 3 years. During this time I feel he has been extremely well looked after and is valued as a person who needs care and understanding”. “I am perfectly happy with the home and all the staff”. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 8, 9 and 10. Residents have their continence needs met through clear toileting regimes. The medication system needs to be made safer by all residents having photographs for identification, and clearly recorded directions. There are practices to make sure residents are treated with respect and staff maintain their privacy and dignity. EVIDENCE: At the last inspection a Requirement was made for continence management charts to be fully completed to enable monitoring, and where necessary changes to toileting regimes. There was evidence in resident care records that this had been actioned. The home uses a monitored dosage system for medication. Medication charts and the Controlled Drugs Register were examined. Staff were properly completing the administration records. Some residents did not have a photograph for identification. The Inspector advised that handwritten additions were needed to some pre-printed directions for medication to make them clearer. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 11 Personal care and treatment is carried out in private. Staff check how residents prefer to be addressed and their preference for gender of carer. There is access to a pay telephone and residents can make or receive calls in the office. Systems are in place to make sure that residents wear their own clothes. All clothing is labelled and there is named laundry baskets. Management agreed to buy individual bags to put tights/stockings/socks in for washing. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12, 13, 14, and 15. Residents were now provided with regular social activities, and events and outings were being organised. Residents maintain contact with family, friends and the local community. Residents are given choices and encouraged to make decisions in daily living. Residents are provided with choice of meals and said they liked the food. Menus should indicate suppers. Residents nutritionally at risk need to be given high calorie snacks. EVIDENCE: At the last inspection a Requirement was made for regular activities to be provided for resident social stimulation, and records kept demonstrating evidence. A Recommendation was also made to forward plan monthly outings, entertainment and social events. There was plenty of evidence that action had been taken to follow up on these improvements. Information on forthcoming events was displayed in the entrance hall. This included visiting entertainers and events. For December there were plans for a Christmas party, outing to the Holiday Inn, a Carol Service, and a karaoke DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 afternoon. Records were now being completed each day to show activities that had been provided. Recent activities included board games, bingo, dominoes, skittles, knitting, reminiscence, music afternoon, and games involving exercise. The Manager and Deputy said they planned to introduce further variety of activities into the programme. Residents who completed CSCI surveys said the home provides suitable activities. Residents can receive their visitors in private. Contact with family, friends and the local community is encouraged. Use is made of local shops and a barber. One resident goes out daily with a staff member to post letters and collect newspapers. Management said they were in the process of forging links with other local care providers. Residents are encouraged to manage their personal finances for as long as they are able. Relatives and solicitors assist where residents no longer have capacity to do so. The Manager was making arrangements to take over Appointeeship responsibility for one resident’s finances from the former manager. Advocacy information is available. In practice many residents have relatives who advocate on their behalf due to their mental frailty. The extent of personal possessions that can be brought into the home is agreed before admission. Residents and relatives have access to personal records. These are discussed and shown at care reviews. A seasonal menu was being introduced. Changes were also being made to remove less popular meals. Preference sheets are completed that indicate each resident’s choice of meals. Breakfast consists of cereals, porridge, grapefruit, toast and cooked items daily. There is a choice of main meal at lunch, and lighter meal at tea, followed by desserts. Snack suppers are provided. These should be included within the menus. Residents who completed CSCI surveys said they liked the food. Nutritional needs are assessed. Staff monitor resident weights at least monthly. Three residents were currently considered to be nutritionally at risk due to weight loss or poor appetite. Food and fluid charts were being recorded, and these residents were weighed weekly. A sample of a care plan addressing dietary needs was seen. The Inspector advised to include provision of additional snacks of high calorific content. The Cook is currently studying for an NVQ Level 2 qualification. She fortifies food to build in extra calories to meals. Staff assist residents with meals through prompting and cutting up food, and two residents require feeding. Plate-guards and other feeding/drinking aids are available. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 16 and 18. Procedures are in place for making complaints and protecting residents from abuse. EVIDENCE: The complaints procedure is displayed for residents/relatives information, and is included in the home’s Service User Guide. The home has policies and procedures on protecting vulnerable adults and ‘whistle-blowing’ (informing on bad practice). There have been no complaints or allegations of abuse in the period since the last inspection. Residents who completed CSCI surveys said they feel safe living here and know who to speak to if they are unhappy with their care. Relatives indicated that they were aware of the process for making complaints. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19 and 26. There have been significant improvements to the environment including redecoration, new carpets/flooring, and eliminating odours. EVIDENCE: Warning Letters and Requirements were previously issued to the home. These concerned following a planned programme of maintenance, renewal and redecoration, and eliminating odours from bedrooms. The Inspector had visited the home in the period since the last inspection to check on progress. There had been significant improvements in these areas as follows: • Redecoration of the majority of bedrooms, new carpets, bed linen, nets and curtains • Flooring treated to eliminate odours in bedrooms DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 • • • • Purchase of a carpet cleaning machine and specialist cleaning chemicals Fitting of suitable ventilation in the ground floor toilets. Redecoration and new flooring to upper floor communal areas, and new armchairs Redecoration of bathrooms, toilets and new flooring. The programme of redecoration and renewal was still in progress. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27 and 29. The home maintains suitable staffing levels for the number and dependency of residents. Improvements are required to make the staff recruitment process more robust. EVIDENCE: At the time of the inspection there was 19 residents. Suitable staffing levels were maintained as follows: 4 carers in the mornings, 3 carers in the afternoons and evenings and 2 carers at night. The majority of the Manager’s hours are supernumerary to these levels. Weekly catering, domestic and laundry hours were satisfactory. A part time Handyman is employed. Six new care staff had been appointed since the last inspection, including two carers who had previously worked at the home. Arrangements are in place for staff to have Criminal Records Bureau checks carried out. A sample of recruitment records was examined. Files have been reorganised with a checklist for content information. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 The following deficits were identified and discussed with management: • References were not always obtained from appropriate sources • The application form does not include a full statement for the declaration of criminal convictions, if applicant had been subject to disciplinary action, and sickness absence • Photograph and proof of identification was not on all files • Records of interviews were not maintained • A signed declaration that the person is physically and mentally fit for the work had not been introduced. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31, 35, 36 and 37. The home has a new manager who is being proposed for registration. Residents’ personal finances are safeguarded. Management provide staff with appropriate supervision. The home’s owner was now checking and reporting on the standard of the service each month. EVIDENCE: In the period since the last inspection Mrs Anna Blakey has been appointed as Manager and Mrs Lisa Henderson as Deputy. Mrs Blakey was previously Deputy of the home. She has suitable care and supervisory experience, and has started studying for Registered Manager Award and NVQ Level 4 in Care qualifications. An application has been submitted to the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) to propose her as Registered Manager. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20 Resident personal finance records were examined. A file is maintained with individual sheets that indicate each person’s transactions. These were properly recorded and included two signatures for all entries. Receipts are obtained for all purchases. Management have started checks of balances and cash very two weeks. The Manager and Deputy provide staff with individual supervision. Care staff are scheduled to have supervision sessions six times per year. A Warning Letter and Requirements were previously issued for the Registered Provider, or their representative to provide reports as a result of monthly visits to the home. This has now been actioned and copies of reports were being given to the Manager and forwarded to the CSCI. DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 X 3 X N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 X 8 3 9 2 10 3 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 3 14 3 15 2 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 X 29 2 30 X MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 2 X X X 3 3 3 X DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 22 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 OP29 Regulation 19 Requirement Deficits to the staff recruitment process must be addressed, as detailed under Standard 19 in this report. Timescale for action 03/12/05 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 OP9 Good Practice Recommendations All residents should have a photograph for identification on medication records. Handwritten additions should be made, where necessary to directions for medication. Suppers should be included in the revised menus. Residents assessed as nutritionally at risk should be provided with high calorie snacks between meals. 2 OP15 DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 23 Commission for Social Care Inspection Cramlington Area Office Northumbria House Manor Walks Cramlington Northumberland NE23 6UR 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 DS0000059015.V258086.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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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