Inspection on 04/10/06 for Braemar Lodge Residential Home

What follows are excerpts from this inspection report. For more information read the full report on the next tab.

What the care home does well

The home has a stable staff group who are knowledgeable of residents` needs, and continue to provide a high standard of care in a friendly non-intrusive way. The home`s ethos is to provide a non-institutional homely environment which includes family and next of kin to visit at any time and to be included in activities and meal times as they so wish.

What has improved since the last inspection?

Braemar lodge continues to provide good standards of nursing care for the people who live there. Since the last inspection a new manager has been recruited and at the time of this inspection had only been in post 5 weeks. Although the requirements at this inspection have increased it should be noted that all standards were inspected on this occasion except one which was not applicable and this is a comprehensive report which details all areas which require actions to be taken. A quality assurance system is in place for obtaining the views of residents and their relatives regarding how the home is run was implemented at the last inspection so as to identify where people feel that the home provides a good service and where improvements could be made. A compliments folder is available A copy of these findings should be sent to the CSCI.

What the care home could do better:

The admission procedure does not always include an adequate assessment which ensures that service users needs can be met. A detailed service user plan of care must be drawn up including consultation with service user families and significant multidisciplinary personnel, to be reflected in the care plan and be completed sufficiently and reviewed comprehensively monthly. The registered person ensures that the employment policies and procedures adopted by the home and its induction, training and supervision arrangements are put into practice and that Records required by regulation for the protection of service users and for the effective and efficient running of the business must be maintained, up to date and accurate. People must only be employed at the home after all of the checks have been carried out so as to determine that the person is suitable to care for older people. Records and documentation in the home were previously improving but have deteriorated again and this must be rectified so that staff are provided with essential information to assist them in understanding the needs and wishes of the residents. Staffing levels, supervision and training must be maintained so the staff have sufficient time to spend with residents and additional staff employed to be available to undertake care, catering and domestic tasks in the event that the homes numbers increase. All staff must be suitably trained and essential fire drills undertaken and documented appropriately. (Fire Safety & Employers Guide) also refers An application also needs to be made to register the new manager