Inspection on 19/09/05 for Gerald Street House

This inspection was carried out on 19th September 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 found there to be outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report but made no statutory requirements on the home.

Other inspections for this house

Gerald Street House 26/07/06

Gerald Street House 28/04/05

Gerald Street House 11/10/04

Gerald Street House 21/04/04

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

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Gerald Street House Gerald Street Whiteleas Estate South Shields Tyne and Wear NE34 8RG Lead Inspector Sharon McDowell Announced Inspection 19th September 2005 10:00 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 Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.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. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Gerald Street House Address Gerald Street Whiteleas Estate South Shields Tyne and Wear NE34 8RG 0191 536 9479 0191 536 9744 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) South Tyneside MBC Lorraine Gallagher Care Home 35 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (35), Physical disability over 65 years of age (4) of places Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. The service may from time to time admit persons between the ages of 60 and 65 years of age. 28th April 2005 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: Gerald Street is a Local Authority owned residential care home, which provides permanent accommodation for up to thirty-five older people with personal care needs including a residential short break (respite care) service for up to three people. The Home does not provide nursing care. A day resource centre for older people is also operated on the same site. All accommodation is at ground floor level and is divided between four units, each with its own self-contained facilities including lounges, toilets and bathrooms and access to a central dining area. The property is situated on a housing estate in the Whiteleas area of South Shields and is within walking distance of a range of local amenities, including a small selection of shops and a Church. The area is well served by public transport therefore easily accessible. There is ample care parking to the front of the building. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This announced inspection took place over seven hours and was carried out as part of the annual inspection programme. A tour of the building took place and discussions were held with care staff, cooks, the Registered Manager, assistant managers’, six residents and two relatives. A number of documents were reviewed including three resident care plans, staff training records, and medication systems and staff duty rotas. A meal was taken with the residents at lunchtime. The Registered Manager submitted a pre-inspection questionnaire to the Commission for Social Care Inspection with information about staffing, policies and procedures, meals, accidents and complaints. What the service does well: The staff at the Home demonstrate a high regard for the residents in there care. There is a good deal of interaction between the residents and staff with a lot of laughter and friendly conversations. The accommodation is well furnished and decorated and looks like a ‘home from home’ as best it can for a large care home. Good use of colours and soft furnishings, like ornaments, flower arrangements and pictures make the place pleasant. Residents are encouraged to bring items from home when they come to live at the Home so their bedrooms have some familiar and sentimental belongings around for them to keep with them. The meals provided are all home made which the residents are keen to tell you about. There is a lot of praise for the cooks who have cheerful personalities and they make sure they come out of the kitchen to speak with the residents. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 What has improved since the last inspection? 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. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.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 Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.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): 3 Each prospective residents care needs are assessed prior to moving into the Home, however the level of information made available to the Home is not always sufficient to ensure the residents needs are be met. EVIDENCE: Care management assessments are available in the residents individual care plans. However there is a variation on the quality of information provided, which might lead to residents being admitted to the Home that staff cannot meet the care needs of. One assessment included statements, such as, ‘mobility restricted because of ongoing problem with feet’ but it did not give any details of what the problems were with the prospective residents feet or how this affected their mobility. The other assessment contained a good level of detail that would inform staff adequately so that they could prepare for the person coming to live at the Home. The Registered Manager and their responsible line manager was advised that they can insist on having adequate information from Care Managers before considering an admission to the home. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.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): 9 & 10 Medication arrangements are managed appropriately therefore promoting the health and wellbeing of the residents. Staff successfully support residents with their health and social care needs in a way, which treats them with respect and promotes their right to privacy and dignity. EVIDENCE: Care staff that are responsible for the administration of medicines have completed a ‘safe handling of medicines’ course. Medication is stored appropriately in a locked facility. No residents take their own medication at this current time; there are no controlled drugs or oxygen in use although staff are aware of the correct procedures for management of these items. Dressings are kept in the resident’s bedrooms, which means they have the correctly prescribed dressings for their own use and are quickly available to the district nurse when they call to the Home. There is an up to date drug reference book for staff to look up information about medication. Staff are observed to have comfortable, friendly relationships with the residents. Several residents commented that, ‘staff are lovely’, ‘lovely staff, they are Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10 good and ‘staff very good, you get help when you need’. Additionally comment cards from relatives include statements such as, ‘we have never had to complain because the care and quality is first class. We do not worry about our relative, she is very happy and content’. Residents are treated with respect as staff were heard to address them appropriately and to listen to what resident had to say. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 11 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): 15 Residents are offered a varied, wholesome and nutritious choice of meals in a cheerful and pleasant environment, which contributes to their health and wellbeing. EVIDENCE: Residents, relatives and staff hold the cooks in high regard and they are very much seen as part of the team. Comments are made like ‘ they are great girls’ and ‘ the food is first class’. The personalities of the two cooks are a bonus as they entertain residents both with their conversation and with their colourful chefs outfits. On the day of inspection there was homemade soup to start, a choice of braised steak and seasonal vegetables, cold meat salads or indeed the cooks would make anything the resident might ‘fancy’ within reason, like a baked potato or such similar light lunch and homemade lemon sponge and custard for dessert. The residents requested that soup stay on the menu as they really enjoyed it. Vegetables are served from a tureen so that residents can have as much or as little as they wish. Hot and cold drinks are on the table for residents to help themselves, therefore promoting their choice and independence. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12 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): 18 Staff training and local adult protection procedures are in place to ensure residents are protected from harm. EVIDENCE: Staff training records demonstrates that all staff have attended training in Protection of Vulnerable Adults. Therefore they have the knowledge and skills to be aware of what constitutes abuse and what to do about it. The Protection of Vulnerable Adults alerter pack and Protection of Vulnerable Adults policy file is available in the office for staff to read and to refer to should they need to. There have not been any Protection of Vulnerable Adults issues raised at the Home. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 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 is clean, well decorated and maintained. It offers a welcoming, homely environment in which to live and promotes a positive image of care homes for older people. EVIDENCE: The home is furnished, decorated and maintained to a high standard. A number of areas have benefited from redecoration, including the dining room, corridors and office. All areas are very clean with no evidence of strong odours in the areas inspected. The Home offers spacious accommodation. Each wing has a lounge so that residents are encouraged to sit in small groups and they do not have too far to go from their bedrooms if they should become tired and have difficulty walking. The dining room is large, light and airy offering a very pleasant room for residents to eat their meals. There is plenty of space at the tables and in between tables so that residents are not overcrowded. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 There are two sitting areas available for relatives and for meetings in the Home. These offer a private space for small family gatherings, such as birthdays. Resident’s bedrooms are tastefully decorated and reflect their individual tastes as they have brought personal possessions from home with them. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15 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 & 29 Staffing levels are maintained at the minimum levels required. However staff are able to meet the assessed care needs of residents due to their commitment to the residents accommodated at the Home. The Home operates a robust recruitment and selection process therefore contributing to the health, safety and well-being of the residents. EVIDENCE: Twenty-seven residents were accommodated at the Home with three care staff and one senior carer on duty. This meets minimum staffing requirements for staff to be able to ensure the basic care needs of the residents are met. However staff are also expected to provide activities for the residents, as there is no activity person employed at the Home, which is difficult due to the dependency of some of the residents. The Home has had some staff shortages as vacancies were held until another local authority home closed and staff were transferred to Gerald Street. The staff are to be commended for maintaining high standards of care whilst managing to continue with training courses. The Local Authority recruitment policy is available in the Home. However, application forms and interview records for staff are kept at the main office so are not available for inspection. References and Criminal Record Bureau clearance are available for all staff, which is part of the recruitment process to ensure the right staff are employed at the Home. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.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): 35 & 38 Arrangements for the safe handling of residents monies are satisfactory ensuring their money is managed in the residents best interest. The health and safety of residents is promoted with the maintenance of equipment domestic services being carried out in a robust manner. However first aid material is not sufficiently accessible to ensure accidents can be dealt with speedily EVIDENCE: Appropriate arrangements are in place for the safekeeping of resident’s monies and valuables. A robust financial system is operated for recording of resident’s monies being brought in to the Home and for any financial transactions. There is a sensible limit on the amount of cash kept in the Home therefore reducing risks if large sums of cash were to be held. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17 Fire safety training is conducted every three years by the fire safety department, with weekly fire safety training throughout the year. The Registered Manager completes a fire risk assessment and action plan and updates this annually to ensure any issues relating to fire safety are identified. A range of certificates of servicing for equipment and domestic services are available in the Home demonstrating that attention is paid to ensuring these items and services are maintained in a safe operating condition. All policies and procedures required by the National Minimum Standards are available for staff reference, for example, complaints, food safety, first aid and health and safety. A high proportion of staff have a first aid certificate therefore residents and staff would have access to someone who was able to treat minor injuries. A first aid box is available in the kitchen and another was thought to be in the staff room upstairs but could not be located. This means that staff might not have quick access to first aid materials if needed and it is not appropriate for staff to be using the kitchen first aid box for environmental health reasons, as there should be restrictions on who goes in to the kitchen. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 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 2 X X X HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 X 8 X 9 3 10 3 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 X 13 X 14 X 15 4 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 X 17 X 18 3 4 X X X X X X 4 X STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 X 29 3 30 X MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score X X X X 3 X X 2 Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 19 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? YES 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 OP2 Regulation 14 Requirement Timescale for action 31/10/05 2 OP4 18 3 OP7 15 4 OP38 13(4) Pre-admission assessment information for residents must be available in sufficient detail to enable a decision about the suitability of placement and for a care plan to be developed. All staff working with service 31/12/05 users who have dementia must attend training in this subject. (Previous timescales of 28/2/05 and 30/9/05 not met) Improvements to the residents 31/12/05 care plan system must continue with staff receiving training when the new system is implemented. (Previous timescale of 30/9/05 not met) First aid material and equipment 19/09/05 must be readily available to staff. Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20 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 OP12 Good Practice Recommendations It is strongly recommended that the Registered Provider considers the employment of an activity person to ensure a variety of social and recreational opportunities are available for the residents. The Registered Provider should give strong consideration to increasing staffing levels to support staff in their delivery of high care standards and to provide activities if an activity person is not employed. Staff application forms and interview records should be available for inspection at the Home. 2 OP27 3 OP29 Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 21 Commission for Social Care Inspection South of Tyne Area Office Baltic House Port of Tyne Tyne Dock South Shields NE34 9PT 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 Gerald Street House DS0000037965.V250074.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 22 - 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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