This inspection was carried out on 1st July 2009.
CQC found this care home to be providing an Good service.
The inspector found there to be outstanding requirements from the previous inspection
report. These are things the inspector asked to be changed, but found they had not done.
The inspector also made 4 statutory requirements (actions the home must comply with) as a result of this inspection.
Random inspection report
Care homes for older people
Name: Address: Benfield Villa Care Home 157 Durham Road Blackhill Consett Durham DH8 5TH two star good service 23/01/2009 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: Nicola Shaw Date: 0 1 0 7 2 0 0 9 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Benfield Villa Care Home 157 Durham Road Blackhill Consett Durham DH8 5TH 01207581596 01207588956 lk@mentalhealthcare.co.uk Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Mental Health Care care home 30 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 30 dementia old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: 30 0 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 30 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: 30 Dementia - Code DE, maximum number of places: 30 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Benfield Villa is a care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to 30 older people with dementia. The registered provider is Mental Health Care. 2 3 0 1 2 0 0 9 Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 9 Brief description of the care home The home is located on the main street in Blackhill, which is an area on the outskirts of Consett and is close to houses, shops, a pub and other amenities. It was first opened in 1990 and consists of a two-storey building from the Victorian period. There are gardens to the front and rear, an indoor courtyard and car parking facilities. The accommodation is split into two units with the first floor accommodating older people with dementia. There is a passenger lift for access. There are no en-suites facilities but an adequate number of bathrooms and toilets are provided. Each unit has spacious lounge and dining areas including a conservatory leading from the ground floor lounge. A hairdressing salon is located on the first floor. The current weekly fee is £390.50 for a residential bed and £411 for a dementia bed. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 9 What we found:
We visited this service on 1st July 2009. The purpose of this visit was in response to a complaint we received from a relative of a resident. They raised concerns about the portion size of meals, lack of choice of meal offered, availability of fruit and refreshments. They were also were concerned about the lack of supervision of residents at certain times of the day, lack of activities and the poor standard of some of the furniture in the care home. During this visit we sat with residents on the first floor of the home whilst lunch was served. There was a choice of main meal provided and served to residents on dinner plates in adequate portions. Staff clearly knew about the residents likes and dislikes and served the meals accordingly. A choice of pudding was also offered. Refreshments were offered to residents throughout and those people who needed assistance were provided with this in a discrete sensitive manner. Residents were also prompted to eat their meals independently where they were able. However, there was no salt and pepper on the tables, or napkins readily available for people to use. The design of the place mats caused one person difficulties as there was a picture of a leaf which they perceived to be food and tried to cut it up to eat. We asked staff how they made sure refreshments were available for residents. They confirmed that jugs of juice were kept in the fridge upstairs. When empty they are sent down to the main kitchen to be replenished. One resident was given milk from the fridge upstairs which was well past its use by date of 26th June 2009. We spoke to the cook about the provision of fruit. She said that this was regularly delivered to the home, cut up into pieces and offered to residents daily. The deputy manager told us that the cook has started to blend the fruit to make drinks to help make sure that residents receive a regular intake of fruit. The cook also told us that the kitchen assistant prepared the vegetables the day before they were to be cooked. This is not good practice as the nutritional value will be considerably reduced. We spent time talking to the activities co-ordinator. She confirmed she works 10am until 1.30 pm. During this time she also helps some residents with their meal, thereby reducing the time available to her to organize activities. There is an activities programme, however, this is not on display on the first floor of the home. There is good work being carried out in relation to life story work, however, there have been few opportunities for residents to enjoy trips out. The activities co-ordinator told us that the last trip out was Christmas. We spoke to one relative who told us that there were no relatives meetings, which they felt would be beneficial. New flooring has been laid in the lounge/dining area and the deputy manager has made some laminated signs to help people with dementia find their way. However, it was very warm in the lounge/dining area as this was a very hot summers day. There was only one small fan available in the corner of the dining room.
Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 9 We spoke to one relative who told us the home was always clean. At no time did we observe residents to be left unattended. Staff were observed to discretely monitor the residents whereabouts should they choose to leave the communal areas. There were two staff on duty on the first floor of the home. We asked the deputy manager what would happen if a resident needed the assistance of two staff as this would mean no-one would be available on the floor. We were told that if this happened staff buzzed downstairs for assistance and that this system worked well. What the care home does well: What they could do better: 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 5 of 9 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 19 23 All areas that residents have 08/10/2009 access to must be decorated and furnished to a reasonable standard. This is to ensure residents benefit from a well maintained place in which to live. Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 9 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 12 16 The range of activities available to residents must include outdoor as well as indoor pursuits. This is to ensure residents have opportuntities to lead a stimulating lifestyle. 23/09/2009 2 15 16 Vegetables must be prepared 30/07/2009 as close to cooking time as possible. This is to preserve the nutritional content of the food offered to the residents. 3 15 16 A procedure must be put in place to make sure people with dementia are not given milk which is past its use by date. This is to protect the welfare of the residents. 30/07/2009 4 25 23 The temperature of the environment must be monitored to ensure that it does not exceed 21 degrees centigrade. 30/07/2009 Care Homes for Older People Page 7 of 9 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 This is to ensure a comfortable environment is provided for residents. 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 12 The hours available to the activities co-ordinator should be reviewed to enable her to develop the range of outdoor activities available to residents. The activities programme should also be displayed on the first floor of the home where people with dementia live. Consideration should be given to the introduction of relatives meetings. 2 15 Salt, pepper and napkins should be available on dining tables for people to use. Consideration should be given to the provision of alternative plate mates which have a design which will not cause confusion for people with dementia. A review of the care needs of the people with dementia should be carried out. This is to make sure that the two staff, currently provided, are sufficient to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the residents. 3 27 Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 9 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 9 of 9 - 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!
