Inspection on 04/03/09 for Blesma Home

This inspection was carried out on 4th March 2009.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is (sorry - unknown). The way we rate inspection reports is consistent for all houses, though please be aware that this may be different from an official CSCI judgement.

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

Blesma Home 27/06/07

Blesma Home 05/01/06

Blesma Home 07/07/05

Blesma Home 14/02/05

Blesma Home 09/06/04

Similar services:

Ruskin Lodge

Dystlegh Grange

The Good Companions

Springfield Cottage

Cuerden Grange Rest Home

Cornmill Nursing Home

Vitalise Sandpipers Centre

Sue Ryder Care Birchley Hall

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 18/06/2009.

Inspecting for better lives Random inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Blesma Home 539 Lytham Road South Shore Blackpool Lancashire FY4 1RA new service which has yet to be given a quality rating 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 assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. This is a report of a random inspection of this care home. A random inspection is a short, focussed inspection. 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: Pauline Caulfield Date: 0 4 0 3 2 0 0 9 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Blesma Home 539 Lytham Road South Shore Blackpool Lancashire FY4 1RA 01253343313 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: blackpool@blesma.org Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : British Limbless Ex Servicemen`s Association care home 49 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 physical disability Conditions of registration: 49 The registered person may provide the following category/ies of service only: Care home with nursing - Code N to service users of the following gender: Either whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Physical disability - Code PD The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 49 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home BLESMA in Blackpool is owned by the British Limbless Ex-Servicemens Association. is registered for 49 persons with physical disability. There are some short stay holiday/respite beds available at the home. All rooms have en-suite facilities and the home is furnished to a good standard. Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 11 It Brief description of the care home There are specially adapted vehicles to accommodate wheelchairs and a full entertainments programme is arranged. The home is situated in the South Shore area of Blackpool and is close to a good number of shops, banks and a post office. The grounds are well kept and there is parking space for visitors. At the time of this visit the fees for care were from 305 pounds to 442 pounds with some extra costs for hairdressing, oiletries, some transport and some social activities. Mrs Jacqueline Longton manages the home. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 11 What we found: People living in Blesma like to be called members. Members move to the home from all over Great Britain and visiting prospective members to carry out assessments is difficult for the home staff. The manager or senior staff usually visit members living in the North West and a welfare officer visits members in more distant locations and passes the information to the home staff. However people that have stayed in the home previously do not always have an assessment and should do. The manager should look at how to get maximum up to date information on members before admission whether this is by using the welfare officers or from written information. Most members do not have a health or social services assessment as Blesma admits most members directly to the home without social services involvement. Two residents were case tracked. Both men had received some short stays At Blesma previously so staff had some knowledge of them but there was no up to date assessment in place before their admission or an update of the previous care plan so that staff had up to date and accurate knowledge of both men. Care plans were in place for both residents. They had clinical nursing information in place and some social information but these would benefit from being further developed to encompass the whole person to include social and leisure interests , likes and dislikes and a life history. Both care plans checked as part of the case tracking had detailed daily reports and the care plan was regularly reviewed. The care plans seemed a little difficult to follow but staff using them were comfortable with them. Staff are clearly aware of members health issues and record where members choose to disregard health advice. staff also pass on any concerns at handover so that all involved in his care are aware of any issues. It was clear from looking briefly at several care plans that some had much more social information than others and gave a more detailed picture of the member. Members have access to appropriate health services. There is professional visits information in place showing where members have had health visits and accident forms have been completed where appropriate. Risks assessments are in place for members so any risks are reduced and managed appropriately. These included Nutritional, waterlowe, falls and moving and handling. Weight charts and fluid charts are in place and up to date and action is taken if needed. Medication management was generally satisfactory Administration, storage and disposal of medication was seen and was accurate. Medication is given as prescribed so some members have some medication before food or at alternative times as well as the main medication administration. Most when necessary medications now state the number of tablets/dosage given but one members records did not and should do. Controlled medication was checked and was appropriately stored, administered and signed for. A written risk assessment is carried out for any member administering their own medication. No one fully self medicates at present but several members administer their own inhalers or creams. There are regular medication audits carried out so that it is clear whether members medication is being given as prescribed. There was a cheery and pleasant atmosphere with members and staff chatting and passing friendly comments together. Members said staff were kind and helpful. One member spoken to said, The staff here are excellent, very caring Another member Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 11 said, They are like an extra family. We observed staff chatting pleasantly to members as they went about their duties. Members regularly travel about the country in the Blesma bus as well as frequent local trips. There are frequent trips out offered a mix of short and longer outings. Members spoke to us about visits to the Buckingham palace tea party, trips to theatres, cinemas and to clubs and many other trips. One member said, We have some wonderful days out. There are some indoor activities including quiz sessions, bingo and videos. The bar opens twice a day for members living in the home, staying on short visits and living in the grounds of Blesma. Members spoken to said how much they enjoyed this facility as well as the trips out. One member said It is great here. Isnt it? Routines in the home are quite flexible and residents spoken to said that they can choose when they get up and go to bed and whether they want to join in activities. The lunchtime meal was observed. This was well presented and members said the meals were very good. One member commented, The food is lovely here. There is plenty to eat. Special diets are provided as needed. Relatives are always made welcome in the home and staff welcome visitors. Members spoken to said they know how to make a complaint but they didnt need to. The manager said there have been no complaints since the last inspection but that she goes round chatting to members each day to check they are satisfied with the service and there are regular members meetings held. Minutes of members meetings were seen and it was clear that any minor issues were raised and discussed. We toured the home and found the environment clean and fresh smelling, tidy, well maintained and homely. Residents said the home was very clean and comfortable and met their needs. The home has started a major refurbishment programme in the home. The building work includes improving the entrance hall and some communal areas. Some bedrooms are being extended to enable people who need a lot of medical equipment to have short or longer term stays in the home. The manager has been in post for several years as have most of the staff in the home. There has been only a small staff turnover of staff since the last inspection. Having a stable staff team ensures that staff are familiar with members and their care needs and members know the people caring for them. One member of staff said, It is a fantastic place to work, we know everyone well, the members are like extended family. Staff rotas showed sufficient staff on duty doing the inspection. Members spoken to felt that there were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to provide care when they wanted it. The records of two members of staff were checked. Both applicants had an application form with work history although these only went back a few years and should be a complete working history showing the month and year of any changes of employment. from first to present job exploring any gaps is required. Both staff had written references in place and had PoVA and CRB checks. These checks show whether a prospective member of staff has criminal convictions or has previously been listed as unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 11 All staff had received induction. the manager had just purchased a detailed induction package to use in the home. There is frequent training available on all areas of care. One member of staff said, We have really good in house training. Most care staff are working towards or have completed National vocational qualifications (NVQ). These are national awards in care that enable staff to gain up to date skills and knowledge about current care practice. Staff said they had a lot of opportunities for training. They said they had recently completed Fire training and Moving and handling. The home has introduced the gold award on end of life care so that they make sure they get everything right for a person who is dying. Staff spoken to felt the manager, Mrs Jacqueline Longden was supportive and approachable and worked well with other staff. Members and Staff were complimentary about her management. One member of staff said, We have a great manager. She is introducing the gold award end of life care to the home so that all staff are familiar with the approach and also so it is clear that the home can and does provide good quality end of life care for people living at Blesma. Systems are in place for quality assurance. There are regular staff meeting and members meetings and issues discussed show changes have been made as a response to meetings. Frequent Health and safety checks are in place. There are detailed records of members money where the home supports them to look after it. The management committee visit regularly but do not carry out a regulation 26 visit where the responsible person or someone nominated visits the home unannounced at least once a month. The person carrying out the visit must talk privately to members and staff, to form an opinion of the standard of care provided, inspects the premises and prepares a written report on the conduct of the home. We observed staff using appropriate equipment and good care practices throughout the inspection. Staff training ensuring the home remains safe is in place with staff having regular fire safety and moving and handling training. The fire safety information is up to date. What the care home does well: The members at Blesma are well cared for. We observed staff chatting with members frequently. Staff were cheerful and friendly as they went about their duties and members said they were happy at Blesma. The manager and most staff have worked in the home for a long time and know members well. They know the care and support members want and members needs are well met. Routines in the home are flexible and members spoken to said that they can choose when they get up and go to bed and whether the activities they want to do. Meals are varied and well presented. Members said they like the meals. The home is clean and tidy and the building work in the home is not causing members any problem. Blesma is a pleasant, comfortable place to live. Staff said they receive a lot of training. This increases staff skills and knowledge and Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 11 improves the care and support of members. Members said staff listen to them and act on any concerns. They said that if anything bothers them they tell staff. Members and staff said the manager is supportive and helpful and they can talk to her whenever they want. Health and safety in the home is good making sure that members, staff and visitors are safe. 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 7 of 11 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, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 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 3 14 Staff must assess residents or have information on residents about their care and support needs before admitting a resident to the home. So that staff have accurate and up to date information about the person moving into the home. 17/03/2009 2 29 19 Prospective staff need to 17/03/2009 have a full working history so that staff are aware of their past work experience and can identify any gaps in employment before the person starts working at the home. This makes it less likely that people who should not work with vulnerable residents can gain employment in the home. 3 37 26 There must be unannounced 09/04/2009 visits to the home, at least monthly, by a senior person in the organisation. These visits must include an 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 inspection of the premises and interviews with members and staff in private and a written report of the visit. This is so all involved are aware of how the service is being managed and the views of residents and staff. 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 7 Care plans should be further developed to include members likes and dislikes and social and leisure interests and a life history of each person. Medication prescribed as a variable dose should have clear written instructions for staff to follow to ensure that they are given correctly. 2 9 Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 11 Reader Information Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report CSCI 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: 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. 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