Inspection on 29/09/08 for Hallgate, 28

This inspection was carried out on 29th September 2008.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Good service.

The inspector found no outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report, but made 6 statutory requirements (actions the home must comply with) as a result of this inspection.

Other inspections for this house

Hallgate, 28 31/10/06

Hallgate, 28 31/01/06

Hallgate, 28 06/10/05

Hallgate, 28 10/03/05

Hallgate, 28 29/06/04

Hallgate, 28 04/02/04

Similar services:

22 Sandown Road

The Highlands

Dilston College Of Further Education

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Park View (15)

Craigmore House

1 Lanark Close

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 08/06/2011.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: Hallgate, 28 28 Hallgate Hexham Northumberland NE46 1XD two star good service The quality rating for this care home is: 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 assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. Lead inspector: Elaine Charlton Date: 2 9 0 9 2 0 0 8 This is a report of an inspection where we looked at how well this care home is meeting the needs of people who use it. There is a summary of what we think this service does well, what they have improved on and, where it applies, what they need to do better. We use the national minimum standards to describe the outcomes that people should experience. National minimum standards are written by the Department of Health for each type of care service. After the summary there is more detail about our findings. The following table explains what you will see under each outcome area Outcome area (for example: Choice of home) These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: This box tells you the outcomes that we will always inspect against when we do a key inspection. This box tells you any additional outcomes that we may inspect against when we do a key inspection. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: This box tells you our opinion of what we have looked at in this outcome area. We will say whether it is excellent, good, adequate or poor. Evidence: This box describes the information we used to come to our judgement Copies of the National Minimum Standards – Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or bought 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 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 Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2009) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). 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 CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Internet address www.csci.org.uk Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Hallgate, 28 28 Hallgate Hexham Northumberland NE46 1XD 01434600465 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Hallgate@athome.uk.net At Home in the Community Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mr Ian Thomas James Duthie Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 5 0 care home 5 learning disability Additional conditions: Date of last inspection A bit about the care home Hallgate is a small home where five people live. The home is in Hexham near shops, restaurants, leisure centres and transport. There is a small garden at the back of the house. Everyone has their own bedroom and bathroom. facilities. There is lots of information for people who might want to live in the home. Summary This is an overview of what we found during the inspection. The quality rating for this care home is: Our judgement for each outcome: two star good service Choice of home Individual needs and choices Lifestyle Personal and healthcare support Concerns, complaints and protection Environment Staffing Conduct and management of the home How we did our inspection: This is what the inspector did when she was in the home The quality rating for this service is 2 star, this means that the people who use this service experience good quality outcomes. We did not tell anyone that we were going to visit the home on the 29 September 2009, but the manager did know we would visit again later. We looked around the home to make sure it was clean, safe and comfortable for people. We told the manager what we found. During the visit we: Talked with people who live in the home, the manager and staff. Looked at information about the people who live in the home and how well their needs are met. What the care home does well The home gets lots of information about people who might want to live there so that everyone knows it is the right place for them. It helps people to do more things on their own, or with help, and to decide what they want to do and where they want to go. People are helped to keep in touch with their family and friends. Staff are trained to help them do their job well and to look after people properly. What has got better from the last inspection New files are being made so that staff know how to look after people who live in the home. Residents chose how to spend money on new furniture for their home. One person who lives in the home won first prize in a competition at the riding stables. This is excellent. What the care home could do better Make sure that records are kept up to date. Help people who live in the home to go to more events outside the home and to join in more activities. Tell CSCI about things that happen in the home. Make sure that the repairs needed are carried out and that all electrical equipment is checked to make sure it is safe. Make sure the fire risk assessment for the home meets the new rules and regulations. If you want to read the full report of our inspection please ask the person in charge of the care home. If you want to speak to the inspector please contact Elaine Charlton St Nicholas Building St Nicholas Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1NB Tel: 0191 2333300 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 4. The report of this inspection is available from our website www.csci.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning our order line - 0870 240 7535 Details of our findings Contents Choice of home (standards 1 - 5) Individual needs and choices (standards 6-10) Lifestyle (standards 11 - 17) Personal and healthcare support (standards 18 - 21) Concerns, complaints and protection (standards 22 - 23) Environment (standards 24 - 30) Staffing (standards 31 - 36) Conduct and management of the home (standards 37 - 43) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Choice of home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People are confident that the care home can support them. This is because there is an accurate assessment of their needs that they, or people close to them, have been involved in. This tells the home all about them, what they hope for and want to achieve, and the support they need. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, and people close to them, can visit the home and get full, clear, accurate and up to date information. If they decide to stay in the home they know about their rights and responsibilities because there is an easy to understand contract or statement of terms and conditions between the person and the care home that includes how much they will pay and what the home provides for the money. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service . People who want to move into the home are properly assessed and know that their individual needs, aspirations and beliefs can be met. Evidence: People who live in the home have their needs properly assessed before they need to make a decision about whether the home is suitable for them. The home carries out its own assessment as well as getting a copy of the care managers professional assessment. Families are encouraged to be involved in this process where appropriate. We looked at the assessment for the person most recently admitted to the home. This included a very personal, and informative, history from their family to help staff understand the persons needs, likes, dislikes and interests. Before the person moved into the home they had been able to spend time with the people who already lived there, join them for a meal, activities and outings and stay over-night. The whole assessment and introductory process took place over a period of two months, giving everyone plenty of time to make sure that the prospective residents needs could be met. Individual needs and choices These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People’s needs and goals are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. People are able to make decisions about their life, including their finances, with support if they need it. This is because the staff promote their rights and choices. People are supported to take risks to enable them to stay independent. This is because the staff have appropriate information on which to base decisions. People are asked about, and are involved in, all aspects of life in the home. This is because the manager and staff offer them opportunities to participate in the day to day running of the home and enable them to influence key decisions. People are confident that the home handles information about them appropriately. This is because the home has clear policies and procedures that staff follow. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service . People are able to make choices about what and when they do things and are supported by staff to be involved in the local community, keep in touch with their relatives and to say how they want their care and support to be provided. Evidence: We saw the files for two people who live in the home. These showed us that a wide range of healthcare professionals are involved in making sure that people get the right care and support to keep them well. Routines within the home are relaxed and flexible and only dictated by a persons individual activities and appointments. People were seen getting up in a relaxed way, at a time that suited them, with the latest breakfast being served at 11:30 am. One person recently won first prize in a horse riding dressage competition. Staff make good individual records of peoples healthcare checks and we saw evidence of follow up action being taken where necessary. People are encouraged and enabled to keep in touch with family and friends and to make new friends. Evidence: We were told about holidays that people had been on both with the home and their family. Destinations included Centre Parcs, Amsterdam, Arizona and Tenerife. The home adopts a person centred approach to care planning but the care plans for the person most recently admitted to the home had not been fully completed. We also saw gaps in the recording on weight charts. The manager told us that he had conducted an audit of the files and had raised the issue of incomplete records with individual staff through their supervision. We saw one service user’ plan that had been written in a new format that is easy to use and gives staff access to the area of care planning and guidance that they need quickly. The information in this record was good. Each set of guidance was held in a plastic pocket together with a sheet that staff had signed to say they had read, understood and had the opportunity to discuss the guidance with their manager. Each guidance sheet was kept behind the staff signing sheet which meant that it had to be removed from the folder so that staff could read it. We received one of our Have your Say questionnaires back from each of the residents. They had been helped by their key worker to complete these. Residents said I let people know what I would like to do, I tell my key worker what I want to do each day’, ‘I am happy and like living here’ and ‘I am happy here and the staff are nice. I get to do what I want most of the time and I like my key worker’. Lifestyle These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: Each person is treated as an individual and the care home is responsive to his or her race, culture, religion, age, disability, gender and sexual orientation. They can take part in activities that are appropriate to their age and culture and are part of their local community. The care home supports people to follow personal interests and activities. People are able to keep in touch with family, friends and representatives and the home supports them to have appropriate personal, family and sexual relationships. People are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. Their dignity and rights are respected in their daily life. People have healthy, well-presented meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. People have opportunities to develop their social, emotional, communication and independent living skills. This is because the staff support their personal development. People choose and participate in suitable leisure activities. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service . People who live in the home are part of the local community living in the heart of Hexham. They are encouraged and enabled to lead active, interesting and stimulating lifestyles by staff who respect and value them as individuals. Evidence: Activities and educational opportunities are varied. People go to the Tynedale Centre in Hexham where they can do things like creative art and horse riding. They have access to the homes mini bus to get out and about and enjoy local walks on Hadrians Wall, at Talking Tarn, Wylam, go shopping to the Metro Centre, concerts and swimming. We were told that one person has just won first prize in a dressage competition at the riding stables. This is an excellent achievement. The family of the newest resident had been encouraged to give staff information about their likes and dislikes, people they want to keep in touch with, the names of family pets and what they enjoy doing. The information provided was sensitive and detailed. Relationships between people who live in the home and the staff team were seen to be sensitive and friendly. People have benefited from a stable staff team. We were told that menus are drawn up on a weekly basis by staff and residents who wish to be involved in this task. People are also given choice on a daily basis. Some Evidence: people have been assessed as needing dietary supplements. Where this is the case supplements are available and regularly delivered to the home. A new food safety management package has been implemented in the home. The manager has identified in the AQAA the need to further develop activities and opportunities for residents. Personal and healthcare support These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People receive personal support from staff in the way they prefer and want. Their physical and emotional health needs are met because the home has procedures in place that staff follow. If people take medicine, they manage it themselves if they can. If they cannot manage their medicine, the care home supports them with it in a safe way. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them to feel comfortable and secure. They, and people close to them, are reassured that their death will be handled with sensitivity, dignity and respect, and take account of their spiritual and cultural wishes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service . People are supported to see a range of healthcare professionals as and when they need to ensure they are well and getting the right care and support in the way they have chosen. Evidence: People who live in the home are able to see a range of healthcare professionals to promote their physical and mental well being. Additional funding has been sourced so that one person can have a dedicated staff team to support them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staff have received specialist training to enable them to carry out some delegated nursing tasks to support the resident. Regular meetings are held with the care manager and Community Modern Matron to support this intensive package of care. Staff have received training in the safe handling of medication. We saw evidence of good follow up when a member of staff made an error with medication earlier this year. We carried out a random check of medications held in the home and the recording systems associated with this. There are no controlled drugs used in the home and an additional facility for storage would need to be provided if this situation changes. Staff carry out a weekly audit for each resident and the medications that are held for them. We did not identify any recording or dispensing issues. Concerns, complaints and protection These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: If people have concerns with their care, they or people close to them, know how to complain. Their concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse, neglect and self-harm and takes action to follow up any allegations. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service . People are protected through policies, procedures and staff training. They are encouraged and helped to voice any concerns or complaints they may have. Evidence: The company has a clear complaints procedure that is displayed in the home where it can be see by everyone. The complaints procedure has not been updated to take account of the change of office address for CSCI or their own Responsible Person. Neither the home or CSCI had received any complaints or concerns since the last inspection. Staff have received training in Safeguarding Adults and about working with people who may display behaviours that challenge the normal routine. Residents told us in their questionnaires that they knew who to speak to if they had a concern or wanted to make a complaint. One person said I would speak to someone I feel happy with. Another person was a little unsure who they would speak to. Environment These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People stay in a safe and well-maintained home that is homely, clean, comfortable, pleasant and hygienic. People stay in a home that has enough space and facilities for them to lead the life they choose and to meet their needs. The home makes sure they have the right specialist equipment that encourages and promotes their independence. Their room feels like their own, it is comfortable and they feel safe when they use it. People have enough privacy when using toilets and bathrooms. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service . People live in a home that is comfortable and safe but in need of some minor repair and refurbishment. Everyone has a bedroom that suits their needs and where they can spend time privately. Evidence: People live in a home that is in the heart of the local community close to facilities, shops and transport systems. The house consists of two terrace houses that are Joined together. Repair and refurbishment of the premises presents some challenges because it is a listed building. There are five single bedrooms with ensuite facilities. One is at ground floor level, two at first floor and two and second floor levels. People who live in the home and have bedrooms at first and second floor levels are reasonably mobile and able to manage the stairs. On the ground floor there is a lounge that opens up onto the small courtyard garden, a dining room, kitchen and laundry. The washing machine can be programmed to do a range of washes including a sluice facility. The kitchen is domestic in style, but spacious and there is plenty of room for people living in the home to work with staff safely in this area. New dining room and lounge furniture has been purchased since the last inspection. All areas of the home were seen to be clean, tidy and fresh. Residents told us that the home was always or usually clean and fresh. Evidence: The ceiling in one of the ensuite bathrooms is in need of replacement or repair. Wall paper on the ceiling is hanging off. Some areas of the home are in need of redecoration and an electric socket in the bedroom on the ground floor was hanging loose on the wall. As well as keeping the house clean and tidy staff also look after the courtyard. There are some large trees in the courtyard that over hang causing surfaces to be slippery and the area dark. Staffing These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have safe and appropriate support as there are enough competent, qualified staff on duty at all times. They have confidence in the staff at the home because checks have been done to make sure that they are suitable. People’s needs are met and they are supported because staff get the right training, supervision and support they need from their managers. People are supported by an effective staff team who understand and do what is expected of them. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service . People who live in the home can be confident that they are supported by a team of staff who are properly recruited, supervised and trained to give them the care and support they need, in a way that suits them best. Evidence: We looked at the records for two people who work in the home. These showed that proper recruitment and selection procedures are followed and appropriate checks are carried out to make sure that people are who they say they are, and that they do not have any cautions or convictions that would preclude them from working with vulnerable adults. Staff receive supervision and support at regular intervals. The system for carrying out appraisal and supervision is currently under review. In the event of a support worker not following proper procedures steps are taken to ensure that they know what their role is, what it is that they did not do properly and whether additional training is needed to make sure they work in a safe way. As well as mandatory training in moving and handling, first aid, food hygiene, and fire safety staff have had access to courses on anger management, supporting people with a learning disability, level 2 induction, infection control, sexuality and personal relationships, safeguarding adults, and assertiveness. Five support workers have achieved a National Vocational Qualification, NVQ, at level 2 or 3, and three other staff are working towards these qualifications. Additional staff are rostered on duty to meet the individual needs of people who live in the home. For example, on Mondays one person goes swimming with one to one support. Evidence: Monthly staff meetings are held and people are required to read and sign the minutes. Conduct and management of the home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have confidence in the care home because it is run and managed appropriately. People’s opinions are central to how the home develops and reviews their practice, as the home has appropriate ways of making sure they continue to get things right. The environment is safe for people and staff because health and safety practices are carried out. People get the right support from the care home because the manager runs it appropriately, with an open approach that makes them feel valued and respected. They are safeguarded because the home follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and makes sure staff understand the way things should be done. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service . The home is generally run in an open and inclusive way, in the best interests of the people who live there, but there are some areas of health and safety that need to be followed up. People like living in the home and are comfortable. Evidence: The manager submitted the AQAA when we asked for it and this contained good information about what the home has been doing and areas that have been identified for improvement. A representative from Stonham Housing arrived on the first day of the inspection to carry out the landlords health and safety audit. Following the audit an action plan was drawn up to agree what needed to be done by the Housing Association or the home manager. We saw the accident books and fire logs that were up to date. During our check of accidents and incidents we saw that CSCI is not always being told about events that occur in the home. Staff are not submitting Regulation 37 notifications when they should. Monthly visits by the Provider, that we call Regulation 26 visits, are not properly recorded. the person carrying out the visit is just signing a register and is not detailing who they spoke to, what they saw, whether people are happy in the home or if they have identified issues that need to be dealt with by the manager and staff. We saw that servicing and maintenance contracts and arrangements are in place but the portable appliance tests are now in need of renewing. The manager told us that Evidence: they were looking for a new contractor to carry out this work. There is a half hour handover meeting at the start of every shift in the home and part of this includes the checking of money held on the premises, medication arrangements and the well being of residents. Both staff carrying out the handover sign for each area covered. The manager is looking at the new Fire Authority legislation to make sure that the homes risk assessment is up to date and acceptable to the fire officer. In the AQAA the manager highlighted the need for some policies and procedures to be reviewed, especially those supporting aggression towards staff and violence and aggression at work. Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes  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, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. No Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 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 Description Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set No Standard Regulation Description Timescale for action 1 6 15 Service user plans must be kept up to date and contain all the information and guidance staff need. 30/12/2008 This will mean that people who live in the home receive all the care and support they need to keep them safe and well. 2 24 23 The electrical socket in the ground floor bedroom must be repaired and secured to the wall. 29/11/2008 This will mean that the socket is safe for people to use and will eliminate any risk of fire. 3 24 23 The ensuite ceiling identified 29/12/2008 during the inspection must be repaired or replaced. This will mean that the area is safe and comfortable for the person who uses this facility. 4 42 13 The homes fire risk 29/12/2008 assessment must be reviewed to make sure that it meets new legislation. This will mean that everyone who lives and works in the home is safe and it is clear what should be done in the event of a fire. 5 42 13 Portable electrical appliances 29/12/2008 used in the home must be tested for safety and CSCI must be informed when this has been completed. This will mean that people who live and work in the home are kept safe. 6 43 37 The person in charge must 29/11/2008 advise CSCI of any events or incidents that affect the well being of people who live in the home. This will mean that CSCI is told about events in the home and this will help to keep people safe. 7 43 26 The provider must record their monthly visits to the home. This will mean that it is possible to see who was spoken to, what they had to say and whether any areas for improvement were identified. 29/11/2008 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 2 6 12 Consider separating out the guidance staff need to follow so that it is easy for them to access and read. The identified need to develop additional activity opportunities for people who live in the home should be followed up. The complaints procedure should be updated to reflect the change of address for CSCI and the organisations new Responsible Person. Consideration should be given to employing an external contractor to attend to the over hanging trees in the rear courtyard. This will increase light to the area and reduce the risk of slippery surfaces. 3 23 4 24 Helpline: Telephone: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone : 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web:www.csci.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) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). 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 CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. 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