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Inspection on 01/10/09 for Appletree Grange

Also see our care home review for Appletree Grange for more information

This inspection was carried out on 1st October 2009.

It is an annual review prepared by CQC after examining previous reports and information from the provider. At the time of this report, CQC judged the service to be Good.

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.

Annual service review Name of Service: Appletree Grange The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.   Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?   No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Elaine Malloy Date of this annual service review: 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service Address of service: Appletree Grange Durham Road Birtley County Durham DH3 2BH 01914102175 01914102433 appletree@barchester.com www.barchester.com/oulton Barchester Healthcare Homes Ltd Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:   Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : dementia old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 32 0 0 32 The maximum number of service users who can be accomodated is: 32 The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home only - Code PC 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 32 Dementia Code DE, maximum number of places 32 Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the Yes service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service Appletree Grange is registered to provide personal care for 32 older people, including people who have dementia care needs, physical disability or a sensory impairment. The home is not registered to provide nursing care, but district nursing services are arranged where necessary. Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 Variation to registration categories. All bedrooms are single and have en-suite facilities. The home provides some aids and adaptations to support the needs of people with physical disabilities. The layout and the design of the building ensure easy access to WCs and a choice of lounge areas for the people who live here. There is a lift to take people to and from the first floor. To the front of the building is a sheltered garden seating area for use by residents and their relatives. A car park is sited to the rear of the home and provides ample parking for visitors. The main access into the building is via a short ramp at the rear entrance. The home is situated in Birtley on the main Durham Road. It is on a bus route and is close to local shops and other local amenities. A guide to the homes services and details of fees are available from the home. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 7 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review: What did we do for this annual service review? We looked at all the information that we have received, or asked for, since the last annual service review or key inspection. This included: The annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) that was sent to us by the service. The AQAA is a self-assessment that focuses on how well outcomes are being met for people using the service. It also gave us some numerical information about the service. Surveys returned to us by people using the service and from other people with an interest in the service. Information we have about how the service has managed any complaints. What the service has told us about things that have happened in the service, these are called notifications and are a legal requirement. The previous key inspection and the results of any other visits that we have made to the service in the last 12 months. Relevant information from other organisations. What other people have told us about the service. What has this told us about the service? The home sent us their annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. It was clear and gave us all the information we asked for. The AQAA told us about the improvements the service has made in the past year. These include: Adding more information about the service to the homes brochure and on the intranet. Giving staff training on person-centred care, and improving peoples care plans to make them more person-centred. Introducing new menus to meet peoples nutritional needs. Providing new social activities and more outings, and improving the garden so people can make better use of the grounds. Encouraging an open door policy so people can readily access the homes management. Upgrade of the building with a redecoration and refurbishment programme. The majority of care staff have achieved nationally recognised care qualifications, and Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 staff have benefited from training on caring for people with dementia. All staff have access to a computer based training programme. We received two surveys from people living at the home. They both told us that they received enough information about the home before they moved in, and have written information about the homes terms and conditions. They said they always or usually receive the care and support they need and that staff listen and act on what they say. One person said staff are always available when they need them, and the other said they are sometimes available. Both said the home always makes sure they get the medical care they need. People told us the home arranges activities they can take part in if they want. One person said they always like the meals at the home, and the other said they sometimes like them. Both said there is someone they can speak to informally if they are not happy, and know how to make a formal complaint. Both people said the home is always fresh and clean. One person gave comments about what they feel the home does well, they said, Very friendly and homely and manager usually available to help with any problems. Clean. The same person also told us what the home could do better, they said, If possible more staff. Staff often trying to deal with too much and not always able to deal with a problem before rushing off to see someone else. But overall very happy. We received two surveys from staff who work at the home. Both told us their employer carried out checks, such as a Criminal Records Bureau check and references, before they started work. They indicated they received good induction training that covered everything they needed to know to do the job when they first started. Both said they are given training that is relevant to their role, helps them understand and meet individuals needs, keeps them up to date with new ways of working, and gives them enough knowledge about health care and medication. Staff said they are always given up to date information about the needs of the people they care for, and that the ways they share information about people always work well. One staff member said there are sometimes enough staff staff to meet the individual needs of all the people who live at the home, and one said there is never enough staff. Both said their manager gives them enough support and meets with them to discuss how they are working. Each said they have the right support, experience and knowledge to meet the different needs of the people who live at the home. Both know about what to do if someone has concerns about the home. One staff member gave comments on what the home does well, they said, Care for the residents and look after their needs. Ensure the home is run well and kept clean and respectable. They also told us what the home could do better, they said, Employ more staff. The more staff, the more care they are able to give, would be less stressful and staff not pushed to their limits. Additional comments from staff were, Barchester are a good company but could Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 realise staff wages are very poor and behind, they do tend to spend money on frivolities and advertising. We have some concerns about staffing at the home and how this might be affecting outcomes for people living at Appletree Grange. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? We will do a random inspection to look at the issues raised in this review. This inspection could mean that we will bring our next key inspection forward. Annual Service Review Page 6 of 7 Reader Information Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Annual service review CQC General Public 0870 240 7535 (national contact centre) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. The content of which can be found on our website. Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a copy of the findings in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CQC copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Annual Service Review Page 7 of 7 - 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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