Inspection on 02/05/08 for Birchwood Court Residential Care Home

This inspection was carried out on 2nd May 2008.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Good 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

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 27/09/2008.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Birchwood Court Residential Care Home Seaside Lane Easington Colliery Peterlee County Durham SR8 3XZ Lead Inspector Mr Tom Moody Key Unannounced Inspection 2nd May 2008 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 Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Birchwood Court Residential Care Home Address Seaside Lane Easington Colliery Peterlee County Durham SR8 3XZ 0207 0343220 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) www.europeancare.co.uk European Care (England) Ltd Ms Jean Stephens Care Home 43 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (43) of places Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. 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 category: Old Age, not falling within any other category, Code OP - maximum number of places 43 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 43 2. Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: Birchwood Court is a purpose built home that is registered to provide 24-hour residential care for 43 people over the age of 65 years. It is owned by European Care and is situated on the same site as Ashwood Park, which is another residential home owned by the same company. Outside, the home is well-kept, providing visitor parking spaces and access to colourful gardens with seating areas. Inside the home is furnished to a very high standard with generous communal space and wide corridors. All bedrooms provide single room accommodation with en-suite facilities. There are a number of different lounge / dining areas throughout the home. The first floor can be reached by a large passenger lift located in the main entrance. The home is situated off the main street that runs through the village of Easington. All local amenities are within easy reach. Fees charged by the home are between £434.50 and £439. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The quality rating for this service is 2 star. This means the people who use this service experience good quality outcomes. The unannounced inspection visit to this home took place on Friday 2 May 2008. This inspection report is based on information gathered from a variety of sources including a self-assessment, annual quality review, completed by the manager. There were also interviews and discussions with six members of staff; ten service users and five relatives. All parts of the building were visited and the care practice, seen during the visit, was also taken into account. A number of documents and files were also looked at as part of the site visit, including service users care plans and medication records. What the service does well: Service users have individual care plans that describe how their needs will be met. A range of different health care professionals support service users and staff. The home has different activities for service users to take part in. Service users feel well cared for. Speaking of their quality of life, one person said, “This is my home. I knew as the minute I came in, it’s my home.” Contact with families, friends and the wider community is maintained. Service users are complimentary about the meals provided. The building is of good design, well maintained and of a generous size. The home is well equipped with assisted bathrooms, hoists and other aids and adaptations to support service users. It also has a piped vacuum cleaning system that is almost silent in it’s operation. Service users know how to make a complaint and staff know how to report suspicions of abuse within the home. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 The staff are well trained and the thorough recruitment system ensures service users are kept safe. The home has an experienced manager who takes the interests of service users seriously when managing the service. What has improved since the last inspection? 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. The summary of this inspection report can be made available in other formats on request. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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 Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. People who use this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. Service users entering the home have some of their needs accurately assessed by social care contractors. The home makes it’s own assessment in addition to this, to ensure that needs can be met. Most service users and their family have the opportunity to visit the home before they come to stay, unless there are exceptional circumstances and accurate information is available about the home. This allows them to make an informed choice about whether or not to live there. EVIDENCE: The provider’s self-assessment says that, they enable service users or their representatives to make a decision about moving into the home. They do this by producing a formal statement, detailing their philosophy of care and aims Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 and objectives. They provide a Service Users Guide, written in plain English, with a description of the service provided. They encourage service users to visit for lunch or on a trial basis. They ensure that service users needs are fully assessed prior to admission. Service users are provided with a statement of terms and conditions at the point of moving into the home. Service users, who were asked, said that they received information about the home and knew of it by reputation. Information was also available about aspects of the service on notice boards. The manager said that the placing authority did their own assessment and that the home did their own assessment of needs, independent to this. Records, such as care plans contained both assessments and this provided a good picture of service users’ needs, including social and spiritual needs, and what their preferred life styles were. Copies of contracts were seen and they were satisfactory. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 7, 8, 9 and 10. People who use this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. Care plans have good information in relation to healthcare needs and this is reflected in the care practices which were observed to be good. The medication systems are being adhered to and service users are protected by a safe system of medication, that is properly operated by staff. This demonstrates that the home is meeting all of the service user’s healthcare needs. EVIDENCE: The provider’s self-assessment says that, “The home produce detailed care plans that identify all the needs of the service users, these include risk assesmenrts which are regularly updated. Key workers are responsible for helping servide users with their care plans and reviews, they are trained and supervised to carry out their role”. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 Care plans are well written and contained all the information necessary to ensure service user’s needs are met. This includes nutritional assessments, information on pressure damage risk and moving and handling. The providers self-assessment says that service users have access to health services. Staff monitor service users health care and make sure they receive help from their GPs or district nurses if required. The care plans indicate the involvement of visiting professionals such as doctors and district nurses. Staff monitor service users who take medication and that all staff who administer medicines have received adequate training, and have knowledge and understanding of the safe handling of medicines. The administration and storage of medication is good and in line with policies and professional guidelines. The Medicine Administrations Records were accurate and well kept. Service users have their privacy and dignity respected. During the site visit staff were seen to talk respectfully to service users and listened to what they said. Staff knocked before entering service users rooms and gave support in a way that was unhurried and focussed on the individual they were dealing with. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12, 13, 14 and 15. People who use this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. Service users’ needs and preferences are met by the home and they have choice and control over many areas of their lives. EVIDENCE: The home tries to ensure that the daily living routines and activities are flexible. Information reguarding activities is made available. There is a good assessment of social needs in service users’ care plans. It is evident from these documents that the service users families are able to contribute to the social care assessment. The manager shows a good awareness that social activity is important to service users. The activities co-ordinator is relatively new to her job. She has not received any formal training in this aspect of care. This is one possible area of service Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 improvement. However, she is enthusiastic and provides a range of activities including small scale and one-to-one activities, such as hand massage. Service users confirmed they took part in activities and one spoke of looking forward to their game of dominoes. Service users spoke positively about the meals in the home. Comments, such as, “Dinner was very nice” were typical of those made. Staff also said that service users sometimes were able to eat “carry out” meals from local outlets. Speaking of their quality of life, one person said, “This is my home. I knew as the minute I came in, it’s my home.” Service users were seen to be talking to each other as well as to the staff. Service user’s bedrooms reflect their personal tastes and contain items that reflect the individuality of the person living there. Visiting relatives were made welcome and had a good relationship with staff members. One relative said, “It’s a smashing place. This is first class as far as I am concerned.” Other relatives acknowledged that, “Sometimes small details are not right but it is overall, it’s very good.” Some service users were seen going out into the village, or into the garden and grounds. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 16 and 18. People who use this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. Service users and most relatives are comfortable about raising issues with staff and the manager. They are sure that issues will be dealt with appropriately by the manager. Staff have had training and have a good awareness of protection issues. The local authoritys strategy, the managers ethical approach and the company’s policy combine to protect service users. EVIDENCE: There is an effective complaints procedure which service users are enabled to use. Service users also were confident about raising issues with staff. One said, “I tell them what I think. They’re good at sorting things out.” The provider’s self-assessment says they encourage suggestions about how they can improve the service - the manager says she has an open door policy and always listens to the views of the service users. All complaints are treated seriously and are acknowledged and responded to within the framework of the complaints policy. Relatives who were visiting the home said they were confident that the manager and staff would take up any issues they had. Comments such as, “I’m Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 happy to raise problems,” and “if I had problems Jean (the manager) would sort them out,” were typical of those made. The provider’s self-assessment says staff are all aware the policy and are trained in the prevention, detection and response to abuse. They are aware of who to report to - staff confirmed they had training in complaints and adult protection issues and there were records of these in staff files. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26. People who use this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. The home is clean, tidy and it is well maintained. There are aids and adaptations and provides a suitable environment that meets service users’ needs and safeguard staff. EVIDENCE: The premises are fit for purpose, accessible and well maintained. A full time maintenance person is employed. One the day of the site visit the home was warm, well ventilated and well decorated. Heating is provided from a safe, low surface-temperature source. No extremes of temperatures were experienced during the inspection. The home has good levels of natural and artificial light in all areas. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 Communal areas are clean, bright, attractive and homely in appearance, are tastefully decorated and furnished with co-ordinating furnishings and curtains, and are domestic and varied in style. Corridors are wide and there are lobby areas furnished with seats. Fire precautions are observed and doors are held open with automatic release devices which are triggered by the alarm system. The home provides very good levels of equipment, such as hoists and other moving and handling aids. Bathrooms are spacious and there are level access showers. The clinical room is well equipped and this is also spacious. Residents are encouraged to bring into the home personal items and furniture of their own. During the site visit a number of rooms were viewed to confirm that they were personalised to suit individuals. On the day of the site visit all areas were clean, odour free and well maintained. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27, 28, 29 and 30. People who use this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. The number of staff on duty is sufficient to meet service users care needs. Furthermore appropiate training is provided and this is evident in all practices, again ensuring service users needs are met. The homes recruitment policy and practice safeguards service users. EVIDENCE: All staff are Criminal Records Bureau checked before starting work and they are given the opportunity to train if they have not already got National Vocational Qualifications. Recruitment is carried out in a robust manner. The provider’s self-assessment says that, all staff are inducted and are supervised regularly - staff confirmed that they receive an induction and NVQ training. One staff member said, “Everyone has got NVQ 2. It’s good, it gives you the background into why you do things.” Another member of staff said, “we’ve done a lot of training.” The manager stated that staff start their NVQ training as soon as they have completed their induction training. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 On the day of the site visit the staff on duty were engaged with service users and service users did not have to wait for attention. Care was given in an unhurried manner and call buzzers were answered promptly. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31, 32, 33, 35, 36 and 38. People who use this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. The manager is experienced, competent and the home is well managed. The manager is enthusiastic in her approach, committed to the home and is supported by the provider. Therefore service users benefit from the way the home is managed. EVIDENCE: The manager as open door policy and is aware of the needs of the service users. Staff maintain good contact with family, GP’s etc. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 The Registered Manager has the appropriate qualifications and experience to manage the home. She has completed the Registered Manager’s Award training. During the site visit the manager showed enthusiasm and a high level of commitment to the home. She confirmed that a representative of the organisation makes regular visits to the home and she feels well supported. Service users are encouraged to remain in control of their financial affairs in accordance with their wishes and capabilities and are protected from financial abuse. Good records are kept. Discussions with staff indicate that they have a good awareness of health and safety and adult protection issues and they confirm that they receive training in this area. Staff are friendly, well motivated and find the manager approachable. One staff member Said, “You can go to the manager at any time if you get problems.” Quality monitoring systems are in place and are well designed. Examples were seen and the service monitoring includes resident questionnaires. Staff receive regular supervision and records were seen to confirm this. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 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 3 3 3 3 3 N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 3 10 3 11 x DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 3 14 3 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 x 18 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 3 3 x 3 3 x 3 Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? NA 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. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 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 OP12 Good Practice Recommendations Specialised training for the activities co-ordinator would be a useful service development. Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 Commission for Social Care Inspection North Eastern Region St Nicholas Building St Nicholas Street Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1NB National Enquiry Line: 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 © 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 Birchwood Court Residential Care Home DS0000071053.V364237.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 25 - 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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