Inspection on 08/12/08 for Birchfield Residential Home

This inspection was carried out on 8th December 2008.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Excellent service.

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

Similar services:

Chirnside House

Keer Sands Residential Home

Ruskin Lodge

Bushell House

Langrigg House

Parkside

Dystlegh Grange

Thornton Lodge

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 13/03/2009.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Birchfield Residential Home 9a Gorse Road Blackburn Lancs BB2 6LY     The quality rating for this care home is:   three star excellent 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 assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. Lead inspector: Christine Marshall     Date: 0 9 1 2 2 0 0 8 This is a report of an inspection where we looked at how well this care home is meeting the needs of people who use it. There is a summary of what we think this service does well, what they have improved on and, where it applies, what they need to do better. We use the national minimum standards to describe the outcomes that people should experience. National minimum standards are written by the Department of Health for each type of care service. After the summary there is more detail about our findings. The following table explains what you will see under each outcome area. Outcome area (for example Choice of home) These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. that people have said are important to them: They reflect the things This box tells you the outcomes that we will always inspect against when we do a key inspection. This box tells you any additional outcomes that we may inspect against when we do a key inspection. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: This box tells you our opinion of what we have looked at in this outcome area. We will say whether it is excellent, good, adequate or poor. Evidence: This box describes the information we used to come to our judgement. Copies of the National Minimum Standards – Care Homes for Older People can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or bought 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 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 Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 24 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2009) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). 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 CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. www.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 24 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Birchfield Residential Home 9a Gorse Road Blackburn Lancs BB2 6LY 01254266020 01254266021 info@birchfieldcarehome.co.uk Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Mr Mark Edward Taylor,Mrs Kirsty Taylor Name of registered manager (if applicable) Kelly Anne Lakey Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 old age, not falling within any other category Additional conditions: The registered person may provide the following categories of service only. Care home only - code PC, to people 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. The maximum number of people who can be accommodated is: 24 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Birchfield is a care home providing 24 hour personal care and accommodation for 24 older people. It is a detached property within its own grounds, with ample parking space. Small local shops, church and facilities are within reasonable walking distance. There are 24 single bedrooms, on ground and first floor level, seven of which are ensuited. There are two lounges, two dining rooms and a number of quiet areas with seating. There are four bathrooms and two showers rooms. Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 24 care home 24 Over 65 24 0 Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 24 Summary This is an overview of what we found during the inspection. The quality rating for this care home is: Our judgement for each outcome: three star excellent service Choice of home Health and personal care Daily life and social activities Complaints and protection Environment Staffing Management and administration peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: The inspection of Birchfield included a site visit to the home that was unannounced; this means that the owners, staff and residents did not know it was taking place until the inspector arrived. The people who live at the home said that they would like to be called residents. Time was spent sitting and talking with people who use the service, alongside their relatives and friends, and observing the day to day routines of the home. The manager of the home completed a pre-inspection questionnaire called an Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) and forwarded it to the commission. This document contained a very good level of information about the home and helped in the planning of the visit. A tour of the home included looking at bedrooms, lounges and dining area, kitchen and Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 24 laundry rooms. This was to assess whether the home provided a comfortable, homely environment for the enjoyment of every one, and to ensure the residents safety. Surveys were sent to the home for the residents, their families and staff to fill in, and those that were returned to the commission showed a high level of satisfaction with the management and care at the home. Some of the views that were expressed by residents were I like it here, they (the staff) are only too happy to help. They (the staff) are careful to give me care privately. I feel safe here. There are always enough staff to help. Comments from staff included The management are very supportive. I know about the whistle blowing policy and the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA). There is a good staff team, we give good care to the residents. The manager and her deputy were available throughout the visit and were accommodating and responsive at all times. What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? 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 4. The report of this inspection is available from our website www.csci.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning our order line –0870 240 7535. Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 24 Details of our 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) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Older People Page 9 of 24 Choice of home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People are confident that the care home can support them. This is because there is an accurate assessment of their needs that they, or people close to them, have been involved in. This tells the home all about them and the support they need. People who stay at the home only for intermediate care, have a clear assessment that includes a plan on what they hope for and want to achieve when they return home. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, or people close to them, have been able to visit the home and have got full, clear, accurate and up to date information about the home. If they decide to stay in the home they know about their rights and responsibilities because there is an easy to understand contract or statement of terms and conditions between them and the care home that includes how much they will pay and what the home provides for the money. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The service provides excellent information about the care that the home provides; the pre-admission assessments are extremely informative and relevant to each individuals strengths and needs. This means that prospective residents are given enough information about the service so that they can make an informed judgment as to whether they wish to stay there. This also means that the service can clearly show that they can provide the care that is needed for each individual Evidence: Pre-admission assessment are records of the strengths and needs of the prospective resident who wishes to enter the home; these records include physical, social, emotional and mental assessments, and are individual and person centered. We looked at three pre-admission assessments and spoke to the three people concerned. Each person was able to confirm that they had undergone a pre-admission assessment before they went to live at the home. Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 24 Evidence: We also looked at the information that the home provides for prospective residents; this information comes in the form of a written Statement of Purpose, or philosophy of care and a Service Users Guide, which explains about the services that the home provides. We spoke to the deputy manager and members of staff. Each of the residents and the staff were able to confirm that they knew about the Statement of Purpose and Service Users Guide, and that they understood the information that had been given to them. Care Homes for Older People Page 11 of 24 Health and personal care These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People’s health, personal and social care needs are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. If they take medicine, they manage it themselves if they can. If they cannot manage their medicine, the care home supports them with it, in a safe way. People’s right to privacy is respected and the support they get from staff is given in a way that maintains their dignity. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them feel comfortable and secure. They, and people close to them, are reassured that their death will be handled with sensitivity, dignity and respect, and take account of their spiritual and cultural wishes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People who live at this home are provided with excellent health and personal care. They are supported and encouraged in their daily lives which means that their health and wellbeing is promoted and maintained. Evidence: We wanted to understand peoples experiences of health and personal care at the home and so we looked at a sample of three people. Two had been at the home for a number of years and on had lived there since the new provider had taken over. We looked at all written documentation and spoke to the people concerned. We also looked at the care that was given to people who live at the home by observing care practice and speaking to staff and any visiting relatives. We also looked at surveys that had been sent to us before our visit to the home. During the visit, all of the people that we spoke to were able to confirm that they were happy with their care and were able and encouraged to access health care and support. Staff showed a good understanding of each persons strengths and needs and were courteous, friendly and caring. Care Homes for Older People Page 12 of 24 Evidence: Care plans are records of the daily care and support that each person needs; we looked three of these and found them to be reflective of a very high standard of care. Each plan was signed by either the resident or their relatives and were updated on a very regular basis. Medication systems are safe and supported by thorough policies and procedures, making sure that the people who live at the home are given their medication through safe systems. There are policies for those people who wish to take responsibility for their own medicines and associated risk assessments are in place for this. Generally the standard health and care provision at the home is excellent. Care Homes for Older People Page 13 of 24 Daily life and social activities These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: Each person is treated as an individual and the care home is responsive to his or her race, culture, religion, age, disability, gender and sexual orientation. They are part of their local community. The care home supports people to follow personal interests and activities. People are able to keep in touch with family, friends and representatives. They are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. People have nutritious and attractive meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The people who live at this home are provided with excellent daily lives with plenty of activities. They are encouraged to maintain their independence and are valued as individuals. This means that people are happy and supported by the service that the home provides. Evidence: We wanted to see what daily life was like for the people who live at Birchfield. During our visit, we spoke to three people who live at the home, three members of staff and the manager and deputy manager. We observed the care practice and interaction between carer and resident. We found that the people are extremely well supported in their daily lives, with staff encouraging independence and valuing each person as an individual. There were very good activities programmes, which are guided by the residents preferences and abilities. An activities coordinator makes sure that the residents have plenty of choice, for example skittles, quizzes, games, films, dominoes and many more. There are outings for sightseeing and shopping and the mobile library visits the home regularly. There were also planned coffee mornings, Christmas decoration making sessions and visits by the clergy on a weekly basis to hold services. Residents told us that they were happy with the food and had plenty of choice, and Care Homes for Older People Page 14 of 24 Evidence: enjoyed their mealtime as a social occasion. The staff said that they were aware of the need for residents to have autonomy and choice in their lives, and encouraged this. There are very good choices of food, and the mealtimes very relaxed. The meal on the day of the unannounced visit looked appetising and nutritious, and the dining room was set very nicely. There are records of the likes and dislikes of each resident and also nutritional assessments to make sure that each person is having the right food for their continued wellbeing. Generally the daily life and social activities for the people who live at the home is excellent. Care Homes for Older People Page 15 of 24 Complaints and protection These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: If people have concerns with their care, they or people close to them know how to complain. Any concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse and neglect and takes action to follow up any allegations. People’s legal rights are protected, including being able to vote in elections. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The people who live at the home are protected through robust policies and procedures and staff training. This means that they can feel relaxed and comfortable in their environment. Evidence: We wanted to see that the residents were safe and supported and so we looked at all of the policies and procedures for complaints and safeguarding issues. We found these to be very clear, concise and written in a way that could be understood. All of the people that we spoke to said that they felt safe and protected, that they knew who to speak to if they were not happy, and that they had no complaints at all. The staff said that they had been given training in the protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) and on whistle blowing, which is a procedure that enables members of staff to voice their concerns about any aspect of care at the home. The complaints procedure was displayed at various points around the home for residents, relatives and professional visitors to see. Care Homes for Older People Page 16 of 24 Environment These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People stay in a safe and well-maintained home that is homely, clean, pleasant and hygienic. People stay in a home that has enough space and facilities for them to lead the life they choose and to meet their needs. The home makes sure they have the right specialist equipment that encourages and promotes their independence. Their room feels like their own, it is comfortable and they feel safe when they use it. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People who live at the home have a clean, comfortable and odour free environment, that is well maintained, hygienic and that provides adequate private and communal space. This means that they can relax and feel at home and be supported. Evidence: We wanted to see what the home was like to live in, and we toured the home and found it to be very clean, very hygienic, warm and comfortable. There were policies in place for the cleanliness of the home and staff have undertaken infection control training. The furnishings were of a good standard and communal spaces such as the lounge and dining room had a homely atmosphere and were well lit. Private bedrooms were personalised and fitted with any adaptations or aids that the person might need to promote their independence. We spoke to a number of residents who said that they had been able to bring in some items of their own furniture and belongings, and that they were very happy with their rooms and the general decor of the home. There is an ongoing refurbishment programme in place to make sure that the standard of furnishing and decor remains of a high standard. Care Homes for Older People Page 17 of 24 Staffing These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have safe and appropriate support as there are enough competent staff on duty at all times. They have confidence in the staff at the home because checks have been done to make sure that they are suitable to care for them. Their needs are met and they are cared for by staff who get the relevant training and support from their managers. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People who live at the home are cared for by adequate numbers of appropriately recruited, inducted and trained carers. This means that residents can feel safe and comfortable because they are looked after by staff who are trained to identify and understand the care that is needed. Evidence: We wanted to see the level of care that the staff were delivering and, and to see whether they had been inducted and trained to a good standard, and understood the codes of practice that are necessary when working with vulnerable people. We spoke to three members of staff and a number of residents. We also examined recruitment and training records. There were adequate numbers of carers on duty and they attended to their residents in a dignified way and with efficiency. All of the staff that were spoken to said that they had been given a high level of training and that they knew about the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) procedures. The training records showed that at least 95 of the staff had achieved the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 2 and some at level 3. The recruitment records also showed that each member of staff had been rigorously vetted and checked before they had become employed at the home. Residents that were spoken to said that they were treated with respect by the care Care Homes for Older People Page 18 of 24 Evidence: staff and that they could not fault them. Records of recruitment procedures confirmed that there are rigorous checks in place to ensure that the right people are taken on as staff. These checks include Criminal records Bureau (CRB) and POVA clearances, as well as references and health checks. Staff training records showed that each member of staff had been given a very high level of training courses, including Stroke Awareness, Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, Palliative Care (care of the dying), Dementia Awareness, Diabetes, Continence and Food Hygiene. We spoke to the residents and all said that they were happy with the care that the staff gave them and couldnt speak highly enough of them. Generally, the standard of recruitment, induction, training and approaches to care were excellent. Care Homes for Older People Page 19 of 24 Management and administration These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have confidence in the care home because it is led and managed appropriately. People control their own money and choose how they spend it. If they or someone close to them cannot manage their money, it is managed by the care home in their best interests. The environment is safe for people and staff because appropriate health and safety practices are carried out. People get the right support from the care home because the manager runs it appropriately with an open approach that makes them feel valued and respected. The people staying at the home are safeguarded because it follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and ensures their staff understand the way things should be done. They get the right care because the staff are supervised and supported by their managers. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The people who live at the home are looked after by suitably qualified and experienced management, who ensure that through rigorous policiies and procedures, and through regular quality checks, the residents are kept safe and their wellbeing maintained. Evidence: We wanted to see if the people who live at the home are cared for and protected by good management and administration procedures. We found that the manager is registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection and that she is suitable qualified and experienced for managing a care home. We also found that there was a deputy manager, who is also suitably qualified and experienced. The manager and deputy both keep updated with training courses, some of which include, Safeguarding of Vulnerable People, Parkinson disease care, Stroke Awareness, Sensory Deprivation and Fire Awareness. We spoke to the people who live at the home and they all said that they knew the manager and that she was seen around the home daily. Care Homes for Older People Page 20 of 24 Evidence: Written policies and procedure are updated regularly and make sure that the staff, and the people who live at the home are safe and protected. There are monthly audits on the medication system, risk assessments and accident records. Fire drills and training are given to the staff regularly, accident records are kept and any associated risk assessment reviews are recorded. There are regular quality surveys for the residents or their relatives to complete, and regular residents meeting and staff meetings. A summary of these surveys and meetings is available for the interested parties. We found that the summary for the latest quality survey had not been completed and we have made a recommendation in respect of this. We spoke to the manager and found that she was very aware of the issues of caring for vulnerable people and supporting staff in their duties. Generally the home is managed to an excellent standard. Care Homes for Older People Page 21 of 24 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R 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, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Older People Page 22 of 24 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, Care Homes 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 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 33 The last quality survey summary should be completed and made available to stakeholders. Care Homes for Older People Page 23 of 24 Helpline: Telephone: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone: 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.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) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). 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 CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Older People Page 24 of 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. 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!