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Inspection on 09/08/05 for Charlotte Straker House

Also see our care home review for Charlotte Straker House for more information

This inspection was carried out on 9th August 2005.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Good. 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.

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 manager and staff make visitors very welcome and are relaxed and articulate when describing what the home has to offer and the care needs of residents. The premises are pleasant, very clean and tidy with good personal touches to bedrooms and lounge areas. Staff are well trained, supervised and supported and they speak highly of the manager and her hands on input and approachability. Residents described the staff as `exceptional` and `lovely`. Staff described the manager as `easy to get on with`, `has made positive changes`, `very proactive`, `a good listener, well-organised and efficient`. The manager and owners always respond promptly and take appropriate action to any areas identified during the inspection process.

What has improved since the last inspection?

Care planning and nursing records have continued to improve. The management of care to give increased responsibility to the senior carers is a very positive step and staff knew plans for further developing this, such as medications training. Improvements, including major expenditure, are always ongoing or under review and this maintains safe and very pleasant surroundings for residents and staff.

What the care home could do better:

Apart from some very minor premises issues the manager and her team continue to operate a very impressive home.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Charlotte Straker House Cookson Close Corbridge Northumberland NE45 5HB Lead Inspector Kathryn Reid Unannounced 09 August 2005 11:30 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 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. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Charlotte Straker House Address Cookson Close Corbridge Northumberland NE45 5HB 01434 633999 01434 632316 sheila.durkin.cs@btinternet.com The Charlotte Straker Project Telephone number Fax number Email address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) Mrs Sheila Elizabeth Durkin CRH 28 Category(ies) of OP Old age (28) registration, with number of places Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Bedrooms 14A, 14B, 18A, 18B, 19 & 20 must not be used for nursing care Date of last inspection 6th December 2004 Brief Description of the Service: The home sits on the perimeter of Corbridge village in the Tyne Valley. There is easy access to the shops, churches and other local amenities. The home provides nursing and residential care and the majority of the nursing beds are within a dedicated area. Three of the nursing beds are GP funded and two are specifically for palliative care. Most rooms have en-suite facilities. The communal areas are generous in size and very pleasant. There is an adequate supply of communal assisted bathrooms and toilets. Suitable specialist equipment is in place for any resident who cannot climb the stairs. The home has a large involvement in the local community and there is a strong emphasis on social care and recreational therapy. Occupancy levels are always high and the home has a good reputation within the community. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This unannounced inspection went from late morning to early afternoon and lasted three hours. Time was spent with the manager and records were examined. The inspector then met with residents either in their rooms or in the communal areas. The premises were looked at and the lunchtime meal observed during the walk around the home. Most of the staff were seen and three were interviewed by the inspector What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: Apart from some very minor premises issues the manager and her team continue to operate a very impressive home. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 6 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. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 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 Standards Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 4 Good information is available for prospective residents and their families and they can be confident that the home will meet their needs. EVIDENCE: The home was fully occupied and continues to have a substantial waiting list. Two of the GP beds were occupied and there were eight residents with nursing needs. The home has a very good reputation and the manager is well able to promote and explain the Project’s philosophy and approach to care. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 9 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 7,8 and 9 Health and personal care needs are now detailed in individual care plans and are met in accordance with residents’ wishes. Medication procedures have been further improved to fully protect residents. EVIDENCE: The nursing unit was clearly busy with high dependency residents several of whom have multiple and complex nursing needs. Staff have to work hard and be particularly tidy and careful to provide safe care in these small nursing bedrooms. Work has been ongoing to address shortfalls in the care plans. The senior care assistants now take the lead on documentation for residents with personal care needs. The manager advised that risk and falls assessment is now up to date and in place and includes reference to any use of bed safety rails. Staff have also received training in osteoporosis. Efforts are ongoing to provide evidence of resident or relative input to individual care planning. Two residents had infections and one had slight pressure damage. These nursing issues were being well managed. The home has its own digital camera and resident photographs are now in place on medication charts. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 10 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 12 and 15 Individual lifestyles are supported and enrich residents’ social and recreational opportunities. Residents are helped to exercise control and choice over their life at the home. High standards of delivery and content of meals continues. EVIDENCE: The home will be advertising for a replacement activities coordinator, as the present person is moving to care duties. The benefits of ‘Extend Training’ to provide safe and adequate physical exercise were discussed. A high standard of recreational provision has continued. Residents gave very positive feedback about the food and reported that the lunchtime meal was ‘beautifully lean with perfectly cooked vegetables’ Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 11 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 inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 16 and 18 The home has a satisfactory complaints system and residents feel that their views are listened to. Residents are well-protected from abuse. EVIDENCE: Staff training in adult protection is ongoing and the manager has attended relevant external training in Awareness and Investigative Skills. She is now utilising relevant distance leaning and teaching aids, such as video and booklets, to train the entire staff team. One complaint had been received at the home and records showed that this had been resolved and well managed. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 12 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 19,20,21,25 and 26 The premises are pleasant, welcoming and very clean. Apart from two minor issues, ongoing and prompt repair, refurbishment, upgrading and future planning ensures a comfortable environment for residents. EVIDENCE: The long awaited new generator is now in place. Redecoration and refurbishment of the ground floor is scheduled to commence on the 20th September 2005. Following fundraising a new assisted bath was to be installed and two more ceiling track hoists have been fitted in the nursing bedrooms. Fundraising is ongoing for the provision of some new ‘profiling’ specialist beds. The home was immaculately clean and fresh smelling. Flies had got into some ceiling light covers and these were to be dealt with. As discussed the underneath, ‘outlet’ areas of soap and paper towel dispensers need to be included onto the cleaning schedules. The carpet in the upstairs lounge has been replaced and it was good to see this room being used for meals and recreation by a small group of residents. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 13 A survey of the artificial lighting had confirmed that levels were too low and additional lights are to be fitted before the winter. Also it had been confirmed that mixer valves had been incorrectly fitted at water outlets and this has been remedied to ensure safe and adequate hot water temperatures. Suitable training and meeting facilities are provided on the second floor that is not used by residents. The first floor bathroom windowsill is in a very poor state and not cleanable. As agreed this will have to be addressed to provide a smooth and safe surface. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 14 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 considers Standards 27, 29, and 30 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 27,28 and 30 There is a good match of well-qualified staff offering consistency and good standards of care within the home. Residents are kept safe and supported by well-trained and highly competent staff. EVIDENCE: The manager, Sheila Durkin, was in charge. Two Committee members were at the home and had just carried out the manager’s appraisal. A new part-time administrator is in post. Staff turnover remains minimal with two carers due to leave and a part time kitchen vacancy that had already been filled. Staffing levels consistently meet or exceed requirements. 85 of the staff now hold National Vocational Qualifications and several are trained to level 3 – this is an excellent achievement. The manager has also made good use of ASET training that involves input from a tutor and the staff working through topics together at the home. Topics covered so far have included risk assessment, food hygiene, and first-aid and infection control. This has gone well and staff reported how much they had enjoyed this style of training. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 15 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 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 31,32,33,35,37 and 38 The manager is impressive, very knowledgeable and has a clear development plan and vision for the home. She is well supported by her staff and provides clear leadership that benefits the residents. The home is always run in the best interests of the residents and efficient record keeping and procedures safeguard their financial arrangements. The health and safety of staff and residents is promoted at all times. EVIDENCE: The manager has just completed a relevant degree and was due to commence education in ‘promoting change in practice’. Thorough and appropriate monthly management visits are maintained and evidence of these was seen. The senior care assistants now take the lead with the management of the residential clients. This frees up the nurses to concentrate on their nursing Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 16 duties and has empowered the senior carers and allowed them to fully utilise and develop their skills. One nurse and two carers were interviewed. They all described good staff working relationships and positive views of the manager. A new carer reported that she felt ‘well looked after and supported’. They were able to describe their recent training and one to one supervision sessions. Fire safe ‘hold open’ devices have now been fitted to all bedroom doors. The home has three competent fire trainers on the staff team. The home now has an annual development plan that mainly concentrates on the premises and facilities. This has incorporated feed back from relatives who had raised some concern over security and a new security system is now being installed. The flooring in the passenger lift was lifting and bubbling and poses a trip hazard. The management of resident monies and any valuables was examined and found to be satisfactory. There has been a recent problem with theft and this is being well managed. Suitable insurance cover is in place. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 17 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 ENVIRONMENT Standard No 1 2 3 4 5 6 Score Standard No 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Score x x x 4 x N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 4 9 3 10 x 11 x DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 4 13 x 14 x 15 4 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION 2 3 3 x x x 3 2 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 4 29 x 30 4 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score Standard No 16 17 18 Score 3 x 3 4 3 3 x 3 x 3 2 Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 18 No Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? 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. 1. Standard 19 Regulation 23(2) Requirement Repair and make good the windowsill in the upstairs assisted bathroom. Timescale for action 30 September 2005 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. 2. Refer to Standard 26 38 Good Practice Recommendations Include the cleaning of soap and paper towel outlets to the cleaning schedules. Review the passenger lift flooring and repair or replace to provided an even surface. Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 19 Commission for Social Care Inspection Northumbria House Manor Walks, Cramlington Northumberland NE23 6UR National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 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 Charlotte Straker House B53-B03 S600 Charlotte Straker House V225826 090805 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 20 - 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. 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