Inspection on 28/09/06 for David Lewis Centre Frederick Harwood House

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

There are plenty of staff available to meet the needs of the service users. Additional staff are rostered for service users who require 1:1 care. Staff have the skills and ability to conduct a series of investigations at the home in order that the correct treatment may be given. Tests such as EEG (Electroencephalogram) and AEEG (Ambulatory EEG) are done. There is also the provision of a psychological assessment if needed.

What has improved since the last inspection?

Staff are well supported in their training. All members of staff have done mandatory training so service users can be confident they will not be placed at risk of injury or harm. Although still in draft form a new complaints policy has been introduced in the centre so service users and staff know that their concerns will be listened to and acted upon. The introduction of the new adult protection procedures should ensure that service users are protected from abuse. All the necessary checks are now done before a member of staff is employed to work at the home.

What the care home could do better:

There appears to be a policy of admitting service users from the other social care houses after a stay in hospital to Frederick Harwood House before they can go back to their own house. The reason for the admission is not always clear. An assessment is not always carried out before the service user isadmitted to the unit and so there is a risk that the service users views are not taken into account and their needs might not be met. Care planning practices in general are in need of improvement. There were instances where the care plan did not fully identify the service user`s needs and so the service user could be at risk. Although some parts of the home have been redecorated, other areas including the designated smoking lounge requires attention. One shower remains out of use and so restricts choice for service users. The service users quiet lounge is used by clinical staff on a regular basis and so service users are restricted in where they can go when they wish to have some quiet time with relatives and friends. The cleanliness of the house needs to be improved to ensure that service users live in a safe and comfortable building.