Inspection on 19/10/05 for Durham House Residential Home

This inspection was carried out on 19th October 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.

Other inspections for this house

Durham House Residential Home 20/04/07

Durham House Residential Home 15/02/06

Durham House Residential Home 09/02/05

Durham House Residential Home 03/06/04

Durham House Residential Home 07/01/04

Similar services:

Turret Villa Retirement Home

Moor House

Mendip House

Beaconsfield Court Care Home

Little Sisters Of The Poor

Manor House

Middleton Hall Ltd

Middlesbrough Intermediate Care Centre

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 08/07/2008.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Durham House Residential Home Mains Park Road Chester Le Street Durham DH3 3PU Lead Inspector Rachel Dean Unannounced Inspection 19th October 2005 09:30 X10015.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 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 Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 2 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. Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Durham House Residential Home Address Mains Park Road Chester Le Street Durham DH3 3PU Telephone number Fax number Email address Provider Web address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) 0191 3871265 0191 3875916 Sortuseful Limited Mrs Eileen Oates Care Home 35 Category(ies) of Dementia - over 65 years of age (20), Old age, registration, with number not falling within any other category (35) of places Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 9th February 2005 Brief Description of the Service: Durham House is a family owned and run establishment that aims to provide care in a friendly and homely atmosphere. The home is registered to provide residential personal care for up to 35 older people. Up to 20 of these people may have dementia care needs. The home consists of a large period house that has been extended and improved to provide spacious and comfortable accommodation. The home is located in Chester-le-Street, close to the local high street with shops and amenities. The accommodation is arranged over two floors, with stair and lift access available to both. It consists of 13 single and 1 double bedroom with en suite toilet and washing facilities, and 14 single and 3 double rooms without en suite facilities. Communal space is located throughout the home, with a selection of lounge areas, a conservatory, a quiet room, a smoking room and dining room. Residents also have access to an enclosed courtyard garden. Communal toilet and bathroom facilities, including specialist bathing equipment, are located conveniently through out the home. Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This was an unannounced inspection that took place on 19th October 2005. It was carried out be two inspectors. The inspection focused on the following areas of care practice and life at the home; the environment and accommodation in which people live, how the environment is kept clean and hygienic, the way that staff are recruited and trained and the levels of staffing provided in the home, how the home monitors its own performance and makes sure it is providing a good service, how help is provided with residents’ finances and how the health and safety of residents and staff is maintained. During the inspection a number of people who live in the home were spoken to about their experiences of living at Durham House. Discussions were held with the management team about their views of how well the home managed the areas being inspected. Several staff members were spoken to about their views of the service provided by the home. A member of domestic staff and an external training assessor who regularly visits the home were also spoken to during the inspection. In addition to talking to these people the inspectors walked around the home’s premises to inspect the building and accommodation provided and inspected a number of policies, procedures and records. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 The home has been developing the dementia care training that it provides for staff. Staff have now watched a training video, completed a questionnaire and are signed up to attend a more in depth training course in the near future. The staff spoken to were enthusiastic about this training and felt that it was helping them to understand the needs of people living in the home. Although it was not fully assessed during this inspection, work has also been done on the activities and social stimulation provided at Durham House. There are plans for this work to continue, particularly in developing activities for people with dementia. What they could do better: 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. Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 the following standard(s): These Standards were not inspected during this inspection. EVIDENCE: Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 the following standard(s): These Standards were not inspected during this inspection. EVIDENCE: Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 the following standard(s): These standards were not inspected during this inspection. EVIDENCE: Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 the following standard(s): These Standards were not inspected during this inspection. EVIDENCE: Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 the following standard(s): 19 & 26 The home provides residents with a safe, comfortable and well maintained place to live. The home is kept very clean and tidy, with residents thinking that the domestic arrangements were very good. EVIDENCE: Four residents told one of the inspectors how much they appreciated the pleasant and comfortable character of Durham House. Their comments included, “ this home is beautifully kept ”, “it’s comfortable here”, “it’s a nice place to live.” The residents who were spoken to also commented that they found the home spacious and convenient to use, with the option of spending time with others, or in privacy in their own rooms, as and when they chose to do so. For example, one resident commented that “ you can see your visitors in the lounge or in your bedrooms. Your visitors are treated well.” Residents told the inspector that the toilets and bathrooms were easy to reach and to use, and that help was on hand if you needed it. Observations made by the Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 inspectors confirmed that the home was nicely decorated, in a homely and comfortable style. The furniture provided in the home was comfortable and well maintained. Four residents told one of the inspectors that one of the things they really liked about Durham House was how clean and well kept the home is. Their comments included, “everywhere is nice and clean, the bedrooms, the bathrooms, and the toilets”, “everything is kept clean, very clean in fact. You couldn’t find fault”. One of the home’s domestic staff spoke with both inspectors and gave a very good explanation of how the home is kept clean, fresh and hygienic. The good standard of housekeeping at Durham House is based on effective management, training and team work. Staff had a very good understanding of their duties and why maintaining hygiene was important. Observations made by the inspectors confirmed that the home was very clean and tidy and that domestic staff were provided with the equipment and training that they needed to do their jobs well. Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 consider all the above are key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27, 28, 29 & 30 Residents felt that they were well cared for by the home’s staff team. Staffing levels are provided according to the needs of the residents living in the home and often in excess of current staffing guidance. Recruitment policies and procedures are in place to make sure that the people working in the home are suitable to work with vulnerable adults. Staff training is provided so that staff have the skills they need to do a good job. EVIDENCE: Four residents told one of the inspectors that they felt well cared for by the staff of the home. Their comments included “the girls are very nice. I would not be afraid to ask them anything or to talk things over”, “the staff here are very helpful, very good”, “the staff are very nice. I have a bit of chat with them and a bit of fun”. The residents spoken to confirmed that staff find time to give everyone some personal and unhurried attention. One of the comments made was that “some people don’t need a great lot of care, some need a bit of reminding, some people are a lot more frail. The staff are good with us all”. Staffing levels are provided according to the needs of residents and are reviewed by the home’s owner on a monthly basis. This makes sure that staffing levels in the home are maintained at appropriate levels and often in excess of the required levels. Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15 No new staff have been recruited by the home since the last inspection. Discussions with the management team about recruitment showed that the home had in place good recruitment procedures that included obtaining references and criminal records bureau (CRB) checks for new staff. The management team confirmed that any new staff would be recruited in accordance with the home’s procedures. Care staff told the inspectors about the progress made with their training in care (National Vocational Qualifications) and the home’s management confirmed that they were aiming for all staff to have achieved a National Vocational Qualification in care within the next two months. During the inspection one of the inspectors spoke to the training assessor who visits the home to assess staff during their training. The assessor felt that Durham House had a good staff team, provided good care and that there was always a nice atmosphere when you visited the home. Care staff also told the inspectors about their recent training in areas such as moving and handling, first aid, infection control and specialist training in dementia care. The management of the home told the inspectors that they thought staff training had benefited residents through the improved knowledge and skills that staff were putting into practice. Staff told the inspectors that they felt their training had improved their understanding of residents’ needs and their own abilities to meet the needs of the residents they care for. Some of the training records that were inspected suggested that some staff were not fully up to date with training in some areas, like manual handling. However, it was not clear if it was the records that were not up to date or the staff training. The management team agreed to look in to this. Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 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 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31, 33, 35 & 38 The home is run and managed by a family management team who collectively have the qualifications, knowledge and experience needed to manage a care home. The home is run according to clear procedures and guidelines and there is evidence that the views and wishes of service users are being taken in to account and responded to around some aspects of their care. Systems are in place to help residents safely manage small amounts of personal money, whenever such help is needed by a resident. The home has in place policies and procedures that promote and protect the welfare of residents and staff. EVIDENCE: Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17 Durham House has in place a strong family management team, who collectively have the experience, qualifications and skills needed to manage a residential care home. However, consideration needs to be given to the requirement for the actual registered manager to have a management and care qualification that is the equivalent to NVQ level 4 by the end of 2005. One of the inspectors was shown very clear evidence that the care provided at Durham House is based on clear policies and procedures covering all areas. These policies and procedures ensure the smooth running of the home and make sure that staff are fully aware of what is expected of them. The inspectors saw the procedural manuals and were told how these were used to control and direct the conduct of the home. Some residents told one of the inspectors that they were asked about whether or not they were satisfied with their care. Other residents said that they had not been asked. The inspectors saw how residents’ comments on food were taken seriously, listened to, recorded, and acted on. Residents mentioned that Mr Paul Oates, the home’s assistant manager, was very good at dealing with any individual dissatisfaction that residents might have from time to time. This was evidence of good practice and further service user involvement should be encouraged. Residents spoken to by one of the inspectors confirmed that relatives tended to deal with finances on their behalf, but that where the home did keep money for them they had easy access to this and were satisfied with these arrangements. One of the inspectors looked at the records that the home keeps for financial transactions undertaken on behalf of residents. These were found to be in good order, with receipts available. These records are kept on computer and initialled by the main person who undertakes most transactions. The records available suggested that the records are only occasionally checked by another person. For increased protection of residents and the person handling residents’ finances it is recommended that a regular audit of the records is completed and recorded by another person or that transactions are counter signed by another person. The home has written policies and procedures that guide and control all activities within the home. The home is well aware of its obligations to protect its residents and its staff and ensures that policies and procedures are understood and consistently followed. These documents are particularly well developed and any action taken with or on behalf of residents is informed and controlled by written policy and procedure. Staff training is provided in moving and handling, first aid and infection control and the inspection of maintenance records showed that maintenance and servicing arrangement are in place. However, some records of fire training and drills suggested that some staff would benefit from more regular fire drills. A frequency of twice yearly for day staff and three times yearly for night staff is recommended. There was also some irregularity in how often health and safety audits and water temperature Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 tests took place. Records showed that the frequencies of these checks ranged from monthly, two monthly to four monthly. These tests should take place regularly and at a frequency that is decided by risk assessment and the needs of the home’s residents. Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 19 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 Standard No Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 X X X X X X HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 X 8 X 9 X 10 X 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 X 13 X 14 X 15 X COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 X 17 X 18 X 4 X X X X X X 4 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 4 28 3 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 X 3 X 3 X X 3 Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? NO 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. 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 2 Refer to Standard OP31 OP35 Good Practice Recommendations It is recommended that the registered manager should be qualified to NVQ level 4 in management and care (or equivalent) by the end of 2005. For increased protection of residents and the person handling residents’ finances it is recommended that a regular audit of the records is completed and recorded by another person or that transactions are counter signed by another person. It is recommended that fire drills are provided at the following frequencies: Twice yearly for day staff and three times yearly for night staff. Health and safety audits and water temperature tests should take place at regular intervals. These intervals should be determined using a risk assessment framework that takes the needs of residents in to account. 3 OP38 Durham House Residential Home DS0000007465.V257922.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 21 Commission for Social Care Inspection Darlington Area Office No. 1 Hopetown Studios Brinkburn Road Darlington DL3 6DS 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. 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