Random inspection report
Care homes for older people
Name: Address: Ash House Residential Home Ash House Lane Dore Sheffield South Yorkshire S17 3ET one star adequate service 08/06/2009 The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: 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. This is a report of a random inspection of this care home. A random inspection is a short, focussed review of the service. Details of how to get other inspection reports for this care home, including the last key inspection report, can be found on the last page of this report. Lead inspector: Shirley Samuels Date: 0 9 1 2 2 0 0 9 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Ash House Residential Home Ash House Lane Dore Sheffield South Yorkshire S17 3ET 01142621914 01142356107 jeanwalker2009@live.co.uk None Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Ash House (Yorkshire) Limited Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : care home 40 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 15 15 25 dementia mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: 0 0 0 The 15 DE/E / MD/E beds are in a separate wing. Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Ash House is a home that provides care for 40 people (over the age of 65) of which there are 15 beds for people with dementia and 25 personal care beds. The home is situated in the Dore area of the city. The detached building is in its own grounds, which
Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 11 0 8 0 6 2 0 0 9 Brief description of the care home were very pleasant and well maintained. There was an outside sitting area that was easily accessible and overlooked the grounds. Local amenities were a short drive away, providing a range of shops, pubs and a picnic area close by. All but two of the rooms are single and people were able to bring their own possessions into the home with them. There were pleasant communal areas for people to sit and a large separate dining room. A copy of the previous inspection report was on display and available for anyone visiting or using the home. Information about how to raise any issues of concern or make a complaint was on display in the entrance hall. The manager confirmed that the range of fees from April 2009 were £335.00 to £377.00 per week. Additional charges included newspapers, hairdressing and private chiropody. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 11 What we found:
This was a Random inspection carried out by Shirley Samuels on Wednesday 09/12/09 from 9:30-3:30pm. This inspection was carried out as a result of information received about the home. We also checked how the home had complied with requirements made following the last inspection. The last key inspection at this service was carried out on 08/06/09 when the service was rated one star adequate. We received information that staff were recording peoples ongoing weight without weighing people. The manager told us that the home had previously had a standing scale only and that this caused some difficulties for some people. A sitting scale had now been purchased and was in use. Records of peoples weight was recorded on their files. This meant there weight was being monitored. We received information that there was a practice in the home of people being undressed routinely in the toilets when being changed into nightwear. This practice did not promote peoples dignity. The manager told us that this was the practice in the past but confirmed that staff had received clear instruction not to do this. Staff spoken to told us that they were clear that this practice was unacceptable and the reasons why. We received information which made an allegation that references were written by staff members and relatives and not gained from independent people. We checked five files of staff who had been employed at the home since 2005/06.This was to check the references obtained at the time they were employed. We cross referenced the names of the referees given in peoples application forms with the names and signatures on the references held on file. We found that the names crossed referenced correctly. The allegation was that references were written and signed fraudulently in the names of the people given in the application forms. On checking several references they were found to have very similar hand writing. There was one example of a reference being written by the sister of an applicant. The person writing the reference was employed at the home. We checked eight staff recruitment files to make sure the homes recruitment procedures were robust and protected people. The three files for staff recently employed at the home contained the majority of information required. The records included, photograph, health check, evidence of identification, criminal record check at the correct enhanced level and two written references, one being from the last employer. Application forms included information about peoples qualifications, work history and personal details. On each of the three files there was a letter sent to the applicant telling them they had
Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 11 been offered a job and that there would be a probationary period. The manager was able to tell us the dates people started and records of induction recorded this date. On the three files checked staff had not been issued with a contract of employment detailing the position held, the date employment started and the hours worked. The acting manager told us staff were not issued with a contract of employment until they had completed their probationary period. For one member of staff who had been self employed since 2007, there was no evidence to prove this on the file. This meant there was a gap in employment history. The manager told us that evidence was produced at the time of recruitment and she was not sure why this was not kept on the file. The manager told us she would obtain this information. For two staff there was no evidence to support qualifications detailed in the application form. We received information that made allegations that staff training records were not authentic and that staff had signed to say they had received training when they had not. Staff told us they only signed for training that they had attended. There were certificates on some of the files, booking forms for training and the rota indicated where people had attended training. What the care home does well: What they could do better:
There were shortfalls in the recruitment procedures which could place people at risk. In the Dementia unit staff were observed sitting in the lounge area with people. One staff member was completing records the other was not taking the opportunity to engage with people. This showed that staff lacked skills around talking and communication with people who have dementia. At the last inspection the television reception was found to be poor. Televisions in two of the lounges on the day of this visit were distorted. The television and the radio was on in the same room, which could impact on peoples enjoyment. This shows that satisfactory action has not been taken to improve the reception on the televisions. Therefore the requirement in the last inspection report in carried forward as a recommendation. Since the last inspection staff had attended training on Hydration, core skills, moving and
Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 11 handling. The manager had arranged for staff to attend further training provided by the Primary Care trust and other training providers. Staff were due to attend further training on, Dementia Awareness, dignity, personal care, communication, safeguarding, infection control, eating and drinking, activities and person centered approach to care. The records showed that catering staff had received training on food hygiene. This showed the home had partly complied with a requirement made in the previous inspection report. Other staff who may have responsibilities for preparing and handling food had not all received food hygiene training. This means the requirement is carried forward. Some staff had received training on infection control but this was out of date or outstanding for some staff. Staff were booked to attend core skills training which included infection control training on 18/01/10. This requirement will be carried forward. The previous requirements not checked at this random inspection have not been commented on in this report. These will be carried forward and checked at the next key inspection, which will be carried out by 07/06/10. If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 2. Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 11 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes R No £ Outstanding statutory requirements
These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 1 10 12 People must be treated in a manner that respects their privacy and dignity at all times. So that people feel they are treated with respect. 15/06/2009 2 18 37 The commission must be notified without delay of the occurrence of any allegation of misconduct by the registered person or any person who works at the home. So that peoples health, safety and welfare is not put at risk. 22/06/2009 3 26 23 Staff must undertake training 03/08/2009 in infection control. To control the spread of infection. 4 31 18 Staff working in the kitchen must have training in food hygiene. So that peoples health is promote and protected. 06/07/2009 5 37 18 People must receive a 15/06/2009 consistent high quality of care and support at all times. Care Homes for Older People Page 7 of 11 Outstanding statutory requirements
These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action So that peoples health, safety and welfare is maintained and promoted. Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 11 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection:
Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 1 29 19 The recruitment Procedures must include. Proof of identity, including a recent photograph. Details of any criminal offences. Two references, including, where applicable, a reference relating to the persons last period of employment. Documentary evidence of any relevant qualifications and training. A full employment history, together with a satisfactory written explanation of any gaps in employment. To make sure people are protected by the recruitment procedures. 15/01/2010 2 29 19 For those staff who were 15/01/2010 employed in 2005/06 who may not have had references completed by independent people or previous employers. The manager
Page 9 of 11 Care Homes for Older People Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action must complete a risk/work assessment. To make sure people are protected by the homes recruitment procedure. Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service.
No Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations 1 19 Work should be carried out to improve the picture reception on the televisions. This will make sure people are able to clearly see television programmes As part of the recruitment procedures staff should be issued with information which states their post, their hours of work and the start date. This information should be kept on file and available for inspection. As part of the recruitment procedures applicants should provide documentary evidence of any relevant qualifications and training. This information should be kept on file and available for inspection. 2 29 3 29 Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 11 Reader Information
Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report Care Quality Commission General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Copies of the National Minimum Standards –Care Homes for Older People can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or got from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop 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 summary 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. Care Homes for Older People Page 11 of 11 - 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!
