Random inspection report
Care homes for older people
Name: Address: Erith House Lower Erith Road Torquay Devon TQ1 2PX one star adequate service 21/01/2009 The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection. This is a report of a random inspection of this care home. A random inspection is a short, focussed review of the service. Details of how to get other inspection reports for this care home, including the last key inspection report, can be found on the last page of this report. Lead inspector: Michelle Finniear Date: 0 9 0 7 2 0 0 9 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Erith House Lower Erith Road Torquay Devon TQ1 2PX 01803293736 01803211311 janehannaby@btconnect.com Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Erith House Management Committee care home 20 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 20 20 old age, not falling within any other category physical disability Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home 0 0 2 1 0 1 2 0 0 9 Erith House provides residential care for up to twenty older people, who may also have physical disabilities. The house was purpose built in Victorian times, and was solidly built, with gothic archways and fine windows. It is set in a large attractive garden in a quiet residential area in Wellswood, between Torquay and Babbacombe. There is level access throughout, with a shaft lift, and wide doors and corridors. Flagstones have been laid along the garden paths to make walking easier. There are raised toilet seats and two specialised baths to support residents with mobility difficulties or frailty. As well as a large lounge and dining room there is a library and a kitchenette for the use of residents. All bedrooms are single, with en-suite facilities. Several are large with
Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 8 Brief description of the care home lovely views over the town of Torquay and gardens. There is parking available in the grounds or on local roads. Erith House is a registered charity with the Charity Commission. It has a board of trustees which meet quarterly at the home. Fees are Individually based. Copies of Inspection reports are available in the home or from CSCI. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 8 What we found:
This inspection visit was announced and was made to follow up the outstanding issues from the last Key Inspection. It was announced to ensure that representatives from the homes management committee could be present. The last Key Inspection was carried out at the home in January 2009. At that time a number of areas were identified as needing attention and three requirements were made in relation to the heating of the premises, the safe recruitment of staff and the provision of risk assessments for safe working practices to ensure staff were safe in their workplace. On this visit we met with the responsible Individual, a trustee of the Friends of Erith house, the homes administrator and manager to discuss the requirements and recommendations from the last Inspection and the progress the home has made to address them. We also met to look at the homes investigation of a recent complaint made. Following the Key Inspection the home completed an Improvement plan explaining how they intended to address the requirements. The plan was seen along with records of the changes made. These showed the home had acted appropriately to remedy the issues. They have implemented a new recruitment policy and procedure and staff have received training in the implementation of the policy. The files for two newly recruited staff members were seen, and these showed that while some areas had been completed appropriately the home still needs to ensure that a full Induction programme is followed through for each person emoployed and that references are taken up on each occasion of employment. The Induction programme needs to be compliant with the standards set by Skills for care. The homes mnagement agreed to ensure these areas are clarified. Since the last inspection they have also made sure that all medication instructions are clear to make sure people receive only the amount of medication needed; provided risk assessments for safe working practices at the home using a recognised risk assessment format; completed a fire precautions workplace risk assessment to make sure the home is as safe as possible from fires and risks reduced as far as possible; assessed the homes heating system and plan to increase the heating provided to some areas; updated the terms and conditions on peoples contracts; provided a high level of medication training for all staff who would adminsiter this; sent questionnaires to the people living at the home to look at the activities people would enjoy; and implemented a system of monthly environmental audits looking at health and safety issues throughout the building. We also looked at a recent complaint made to the home. The home could provide evidence of previous action taken and discussion was held on future management of the issue. What the care home does well:
The home provides an attractive environment in a spacious period building. Accommodation is well maintained and gracious with large communal rooms, with high
Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 8 ceilings and feature windows. There are mature level gardens with level pathways, a summerhouse and vegetable plots. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities and are bright and airey. Many have space for bed and sitting areas, and have been furnished by the people living in them, which makes them individual and homely. Some people have facilities to prepare their own snacks and hot drinks. People can have a say in the way the home is run through residents meetings, completing questionnaires or talking to the Friends of Erith House who visit people living at the home individually. People are consulted on meal options and are asked if there is anything they would like. On the day of the visit one person had requested braised red cabbage which had been greatly enjoyed. Several people at the home are quite independant and take charge of most of their own care needs, which is encouraged. The home has a programme of activities organised by the Friends of Erith House. People who live at the home generally said it was a nice place to live and that the staff cared for them well. One said I have never regretted coming here. The staff have been very kind and I am able to look after myself for as long as I can. A visitor said Erith House is a lovely home. Mum is very happy here - it couldnt be better. Community medical staff who completed questionnaires said that the home was well run and met peoples needs well. There is a high number of staff working on National Vocational Qualifications, which are a national award reflecting their competence in their work role. This is commendable. What they could do better: If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 2. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 8 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes R No £ Outstanding statutory requirements
These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 1 29 19 The registered person shall 15/02/2008 not employ a person to work at the care home unless - he has obtained in respect of that person the information and documents specified. (References, Criminal records bureau or POVA first checks Supervision, proof of identity, evidence of fitness and evidence of qualifications must be obtained before a member of staff commences employment at the home.) Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 8 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection:
Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service.
No Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations 1 29 Two references should be obtained for each person emoloyed by the home. This is to ensure that people are suitable to be working with potentially vulnerable people. The home must make sure that their Induction programme is compatible with the Skills for Care Induction standards and that all staff follow an induction when they start at the home. This is to ensure staff are all working in the same way to support people. 2 30 Care Homes for Older People Page 7 of 8 Reader Information
Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report Care Quality Commission General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Copies of the National Minimum Standards –Care Homes for Older People can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or got from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CQC copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 8 - 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. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!
