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Inspection on 12/04/05 for Colne Place

Also see our care home review for Colne Place for more information

This inspection was carried out on 12th April 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

Colne Place benefits from a secure base of experienced and well-trained staff that provide sensitive care in a dignified and respectful manner to the service users in their care. Many service users gave positive comments regarding the care staff members including one lady`s verdict: " I feel safe and secure, they do a good job, I am lucky to be in here". Daily routines were flexible around the service users individual wishes and visitors were welcomed into the home at any time, either just to spend time with their relations or to be involved in their day-to-day care. A daughter of a service user said to the inspector "I never had any time for Care Homes but this has changed my opinion, the care and attention is first class, the home is clean and they treat my mother with dignity".

What has improved since the last inspection?

There was one requirement made in response to the previous inspection and this had been addressed by the home with good effect. Medication administration records were scrutinised and were all observed to be completed appropriately. Some redecoration of communal areas had taken place since the previous inspection including the replacement of some carpets.

What the care home could do better:

The vast majority of care staff members at Colne Place have been trained in all mandatory areas, however a few staff had not yet undertaken training in infection control and first aid. Training in the Protection of Vulnerable Adults had been provided for most staff members and the remainder were waiting for dates of forthcoming training sessions. The inspector advised the home`s representative at the time of the inspection that these areas should be addressed in order to continue to provide a safe and secure environment for the resident service users at Colne Place.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE COLNE PLACE 97 High Street Earls Colne Colchester, Essex CR6 2RB Lead Inspector Jane Greaves Unannounced 12 April 2005 09:30 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. COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Colne Place Address 97, High Street, Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2RB 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) 01787 222314 01787 222314 Handsale limited Mrs Maria Connolly Care Home 33 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (33) of places COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: None apply. Date of last inspection 11/11/04 Brief Description of the Service: Colne Place is a residential care home for the elderly set in a period residence with large well maintained grounds in a village location. Registered for 33 residents, accommodation is mainly in single rooms many of which have en suite facilities. The home provided 24-hour care for service users with varying levels of dependency and was fully equipped to provide a safe environment for those with restricted mobility. COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This routine unannounced inspection took place over 6 hours one day in April 2005. The inspector gathered views and opinions regarding the service from 19 residents of the home, 2 visiting GPs, a district nurse, visiting friends and relations, care staff and management of the home. The Inspector was given a guided tour of the premises and experienced excellent co-operation with the inspection process from all staff members on duty. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? There was one requirement made in response to the previous inspection and this had been addressed by the home with good effect. Medication administration records were scrutinised and were all observed to be completed appropriately. Some redecoration of communal areas had taken place since the previous inspection including the replacement of some carpets. COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 Page 6 What they could do better: Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The full report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 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 COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 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) 3 Evidence available indicated that the home had appropriate admission assessment procedures and practices in place, focussed on the needs of service users. EVIDENCE: Each prospective service user had their health, social and spiritual needs assessed by the Manager or a principal carer before the decision was taken to enter Colne Place on a permanent basis in order to establish a basis of the care to be delivered by the home. This assessment was made with the input of the service users, relevant family representatives and healthcare professionals where appropriate. A copy of the comprehensive needs assessment questionnaire was maintained on individual files and was used to form an agreed personalised plan of care for each service user admitted into the home. Three sets of individual records, including one for a recent admission to the home, were studied and all contained detailed pre- admission needs assessments. Colne Place did not offer intermediate care. COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 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) 7,8,9 and 10 Evidence collected reflected that the health care needs were identified, planned for and monitored in an appropriate manner. EVIDENCE: In the three files sampled at this inspection individual care plans contained clear detail and instruction for the delivery of personalised care for service users ensuring that their individual healthcare needs were fully met. Regular reviews were evident and any resulting changes in the care plan were recorded appropriately. Routine health checks offered such as optician, dentist, and podiatrist were documented. Medication policies and procedures observed were appropriate to the service and medication records had undergone significant improvement since the previous inspection. The local Pharmacy had conducted medication audits for the home and will be providing training courses for care staff in the near future. Two visiting GPs and one District Nurse all stated to the inspector that the standard of care was good at Colne Place, that the staff were experienced and responsive to instruction from healthcare professionals and they would recommend the home. Service users spoken with all stated that they were treated with dignity and respect and that their right to privacy was upheld. COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 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) 12,13,14 and 15 Service users’ lifestyles within Colne Place satisfied their spiritual, social and recreational needs whilst providing a good standard of care and a feeling of security and well-being although there were indications this could at times be at risk when staffing pressures occurred. EVIDENCE: Officials from various faiths attended the home at regular intervals to enable service users to practice religious observance and some service users attended local church services where the level of care staff on duty permitted. Family and friends spoken with assured the inspector that they were always made welcome at Colne Place and greeted with a smile and the offer of a cup of tea. There was a quiet lounge available for personal visits or service users were able to receive visitors in the privacy of their own rooms. One service user commented, “The staff are kindness itself. Everybody is friendly and kind, there is a lovely atmosphere, it is just like home, and there are no restrictions.” A wholesome and appetising meal was provided and this was taken in a pleasant bright and sunny dining room. Service users spoke of having a choice of two meals daily but could not remember having any influence on the choice of meals offered on the menu. COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 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 Evidence considered reflected that the home operated a clear and substantial complaints policy and procedure to protect service users and to ensure their rights were protected. EVIDENCE: The majority of care staff had undertaken training in the Protection of Vulnerable Adults and the few remaining staff members were waiting for the next course to be scheduled. All staff spoken with were aware of PoVA issues and leaflets and guidance were in evidence in the home. The home had not received any complaints in the previous 12 months. Relatives praised the open management style promoted at Colne Place and stated that they would have no compunction in approaching the management directly if they had any concerns. COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 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 and 26 Colne Place presented as a homely and safe environment where service users felt safe in clean and pleasant surroundings. EVIDENCE: The home employed a fulltime handyman who maintained the house and the large grounds. When a service user’s bedroom became vacant it was automatically re-decorated and communal areas were refreshed and refurbished on an on going basis. A carpet in the hallway of the new extension had received considerable wear and tear and would benefit from replacement but did not pose a risk to service users’ safety. The home employed a team of ‘Hygiene Technicians’ Monday to Friday with some minor domestic duties being carried out over weekends. There were no offensive odours present in the main body of the house though one service user’s bedroom carpet was in need of cleaning and this had already been identified by the home. Most staff members had received training in Infection Control and the inspector recommended that this knowledge should be cascaded through the remainder of the care staff. COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 Page 13 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 Colne Place employed a sound base of experienced staff. The home benefits from a good rate of staff retention resulting in a cohesive and experienced care staff team. EVIDENCE: Training was provided in all mandatory areas and certain specific areas ensuring a good quality of life was maintained for the people receiving this service. Some staff had recently attended a course in Dementia Awareness; this was received with enthusiasm and positive comment from attendees. The majority of care staff had achieved NVQ level 2 in care despite encountering difficulties in obtaining consistent service from the assessment teams. During a group discussion with staff it was remarked that whilst some would like to increase their knowledge base and further their expertise by taking NVQ level 3, funding was not in place and therefore would be cost prohibitive on a personal level. Visiting healthcare professionals made very positive comments regarding staff competencies, responsiveness to instruction and care provided at Colne Place. Relations consulted during the inspection process were complimentary about the care and attention afforded to the service users at the home and all stated that their loved ones were “looked after well”. The home engaged the services of agency staff on an ad hoc basis and received regular staff to ensure consistency within the home. Service users’ spoke of instances when church attendance was not possible if staffing levels did not facilitate this. COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 Page 14 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) 33 Discussions with service users, relations, visiting healthcare professionals and staff reflected that the home was managed well and in the best interests of the service users. EVIDENCE: Residents and families informed the inspector that there was one residents’ meeting held in September of each year. All parties were invited to this meeting and 27 residents and their families attended the last meeting, minutes were produced at this inspection. The manager reported that it was the service users choice to have just the one meeting per year and that the managements’ open door policy ensures that any issues are dealt with effectively as they arise. The Operations Manager of Handsale Limited conducted an annual postal survey of family and relevant professionals, at the point of inspection it was not understood that the results of this survey should have been forwarded to the Commission for Social Care Inspection and published in the Service User Guide. The inspector was informed that this would be rectified. COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 Page 15 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. Where there is no score against a standard it has not been looked at during this inspection. 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 3 x x 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 3 x x x x x x 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 x 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score Standard No 16 17 18 Score 3 x 3 x x 3 x x x x x COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 Page 16 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 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 12 Good Practice Recommendations The registered person must ensure that staffing levels are kept under review to maintain levels appropriate to meet the social cultural. spiritual and rercreational needs of the service users. The registered person should ensure that training in areas of infection control, first aid and PoVA must be delivered to the few remaining staff members not yet in receipt of this. 2. 30 COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 Page 17 Commission for Social Care Inspection Fairfax House Causton Road Colchester Essex C01 1RJ 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 COLNE PLACE Version 1.10 Page 18 - 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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