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Inspection on 03/07/09 for Heathcotes Care (Blythe Bridge)

Also see our care home review for Heathcotes Care (Blythe Bridge) for more information

This inspection was carried out on 3rd July 2009.

CQC found this care home to be providing an Adequate service.

The inspector found there to be outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report. These are things the inspector asked to be changed, but found they had not done. The inspector also made 1 statutory requirements (actions the home must comply with) as a result of this inspection.

What follows are excerpts from this inspection report. For more information read the full report on the next tab.

What the care home does well

We saw that, the records of administration of medication (MAR) are accurate and that details of all the medication prescribed for people is included on their individual records, along with the information about the dose, frequency of administration and description of the medication. We saw that there are improvements in relation to how the service records the medication received in the home and medication it sends back to the pharmacy. We asked if all staff responsible for the administration of medication have been trained to administer it, we have been told that they are. We saw that when people have been prescribed -as required- medication, a protocol or instruction for its administration has been agreed with the doctor. The information contains specific guidance for staff to follow, to be sure that they understand the circumstances under which the medication should be given. This ensures consistency. We looked at the information the service keeps about the staff they employ. We looked at a sample of staff recruitement records and saw that they keep a list of the pre employment checks they carry out. They also record the date the information is requested and received. In all the files we saw the lists show that the records are generally up to date. We looked at the record of staff training and saw that there has been an improvement in the number of staff who have received mandatory training. We have been told that the service does not have any staff vacancies at the moment. We saw that the number of staff provided per shift varies from 5 to 4 each to ensure that the assessed needs of people using the service are met.

What the care home could do better:

We undertook an audit of a sample of medication and were able to confirm that medication prescribed can be accounted for, but the record we saw was not an accurate reflection of this. We also spoke to the manager about another MAR, he confirmed that the supply of medication (for one person) from the last medication cycle should be returned to the pharmacy becuase it is not needed. He also agreed to ensure that any medication left over from the last cycle, that may be needed should be added to the MAR. At the last key visit we recommended that the service obtain a Controlled Drugs cupboardas advised by changes to guidance on medication management. Since that time we have agreed that where services do not have controlled drugs prescribed, they do not need to do this. But should they be prescribed the service must obtain a suitable cupboard within a three month timescale, failure to do so would result in further action being taken. We saw in one persons file that a CRB (police check) has been requested, but has not been received. Two written references have been requested but we could only find one in the file. We spoke to the manager about this who agreed to check with the organisation`s recruitment team. We have since been informed that there are two written references in place for this person and the CRB checks has been received. We have stressed to the manager the importance of ensuring the the staff files, contain the information the lists say they should. At the last inspection we were told that the manager was going to work somewhere else and a replacement would be recruited. We met the new manager during this visit and understand he has been in post since 01 June 2009. We spoken to the new manager about the progress with his application to register and be approved by us. He stated that he has completed his CRB (police check), but as yet has not completed an application form. We have made a requirement of this report that the current manager applies to be registered with us within three months. We do not usually repeat a requirement we have made previously, but because of the circumstances described earlier, we have agreed to do this on this occasion. Failure to comply within the timescales given may result in enforcement action.

Random inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: Heathcotes Care (Blythe Bridge) Southlands Aynsleys Drive Blythe Bridge Stoke on Trent Staffordshire ST11 9LR one star adequate service 13/02/2009 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: Wendy Jones Date: 0 8 0 7 2 0 0 9 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Heathcotes Care (Blythe Bridge) Southlands Aynsleys Drive Blythe Bridge Stoke on Trent Staffordshire ST11 9LR 01782398372 01782393577 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: www.heathcotes.net Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Heathcotes Care Ltd care home 6 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 learning disability Conditions of registration: 6 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 6. The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home only - Code PC to service users of the following gender: either, whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Learning disability - Code LD of the following age range: from 18 years of age and above, maximum number of places: 6. Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home The service is a large detached property in its own grounds in a well established residential area of Staffordshire. It provides accommodation for up to 6 people, all bedrooms are for single occupancy and all have en-suite facilities. Communal facilities are satisfactory and provide comfortable accommodation for the people who live Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 8 1 3 0 2 2 0 0 9 Brief description of the care home there. The service is located within walking distance of local facilities, but also has its own transport for access to facilities further away. The Service User Guide does not contain the range fees and cost of the service, any prospective user of the service or their supporters should approach the provider for this information. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 8 What we found: We carried out an unannounced inspection visit of this service to check compliance with the things we asked them to do at the last key inspection visit, to ensure that they are meeting the national minimum standards expected. We looked at how the service manages medication, at how the service recruits staff and checked the records are up to date; we looked at the staffing levels and the standard of staff training. We also discussed the managers status. What the care home does well: What they could do better: We undertook an audit of a sample of medication and were able to confirm that medication prescribed can be accounted for, but the record we saw was not an accurate reflection of this. We also spoke to the manager about another MAR, he confirmed that the supply of medication (for one person) from the last medication cycle should be returned to the pharmacy becuase it is not needed. He also agreed to ensure that any medication left over from the last cycle, that may be needed should be added to the MAR. At the last key visit we recommended that the service obtain a Controlled Drugs cupboard Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 8 as advised by changes to guidance on medication management. Since that time we have agreed that where services do not have controlled drugs prescribed, they do not need to do this. But should they be prescribed the service must obtain a suitable cupboard within a three month timescale, failure to do so would result in further action being taken. We saw in one persons file that a CRB (police check) has been requested, but has not been received. Two written references have been requested but we could only find one in the file. We spoke to the manager about this who agreed to check with the organisations recruitment team. We have since been informed that there are two written references in place for this person and the CRB checks has been received. We have stressed to the manager the importance of ensuring the the staff files, contain the information the lists say they should. At the last inspection we were told that the manager was going to work somewhere else and a replacement would be recruited. We met the new manager during this visit and understand he has been in post since 01 June 2009. We spoken to the new manager about the progress with his application to register and be approved by us. He stated that he has completed his CRB (police check), but as yet has not completed an application form. We have made a requirement of this report that the current manager applies to be registered with us within three months. We do not usually repeat a requirement we have made previously, but because of the circumstances described earlier, we have agreed to do this on this occasion. Failure to comply within the timescales given may result in enforcement action. 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 Adults (18-65 years) 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 37 9 The manager must apply to us to be approved as the registered manager. 06/06/2008 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) 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 1 37 9 The manager must apply to us to be approved as the registered manager. So that people using the service can be confident the manager is a fit person. 08/10/2009 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 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) 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 Adults (18-65 years) 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 Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 8 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. 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