Inspection on 10/02/09 for Kings Court Care Home

This inspection was carried out on 10th February 2009.

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

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

Kings Court Care Home 20/04/10

Kings Court Care Home 30/01/08

Similar services:

22 Sandown Road

The Highlands

Turret Villa Retirement Home

Dilston College Of Further Education

West View House

Moor House

Prince Bishop Court

Park View (15)

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 19/06/2009.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Kings Court Care Home Kings Court Care Home Market Place Barnard Castle Durham DL12 8ND     The quality rating for this care home is:   two star good service 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: Anne UrwinBrown     Date: 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 9 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. that people have said are important to them: They reflect the things 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 Older People 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. Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 26 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. www.cqc.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 26 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Kings Court Care Home Market Place Kings Court Care Home Barnard Castle Durham DL12 8ND 01833690333 01833690317 kings.court@schealthcare.co.uk 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) : Southern Cross OPCO Ltd care home 37 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 37 learning disability old age, not falling within any other category Additional conditions: 1 0 The maximum number of service user who can be accommodated is :37 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: Old Age, not falling within any other category - Code OP, maximum number of places 37 Learning Disability - Code LD, maximum number of places 1 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Kings Court is a converted home located in the centre of the market town of Barnard Castle. It is registered to accommodate up to 37 older people who require personal care, the home cannot provide nursing care. All bedrooms in the home have en-suite toilet facilities apart from one bedroom. Access between floors is available by stairs or passenger lifts. Appropriate equipment and aids are provided for those people who need assistance. There are a number of comfortable communal sitting areas and a large lounge. Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 26 Brief description of the care home There are public houses, shops, library, churches and other amenities close by, and regular bus services to nearby areas. There is easy level access into the home from the front entrance and car-parking facilities are provided. The bathrooms and communal toilets have equipment for service users requiring assistance and facilities are appropriate for the people who live there. The weekly fees range from £447:00 to £560:00 per week. Additional charges are made for hairdressing, newspapers, some outings and personal items such as toiletries. The Statement of Purpose and Service User guides are available in the reception area of the home. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 26 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 Health and personal care Daily life and social activities Complaints and protection Environment Staffing Management and administration peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: The quality rating for this service is 2 stars. This means that the people who use the service experience good quality outcomes. We have reviewed our practice when making requirements, to improve national consistency. Some requirements from previous reports may have been deleted or carried forward into this report as recommendations - but only when it is considered that people who use the service are not put at significant risk of harm. In future, if a requirement is repeated, it is likely that enforcement action will be taken. How the inspection was carried out Before the visit: We looked at: Information we have received since the last visit. How the service dealt with any complaints & Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 26 concerns since the last visit. Any changes to how the home is run. The providers view of how well they care for people. The views of people who use the service & their relatives, staff & other professionals. The Visit: An unannounced visit was made on 10th January, 2009. The visit lasted a total of six hours. During the visit we: Talked with people who use the service, staff, the manager & visitors. Looked at information about the people who use the service & how well their needs are met, Looked at other records which must be kept, Checked that staff had the knowledge, skills & training to meet the needs of the people they care for, Looked around the building to make sure it was clean, safe & comfortable, Checked what improvements had been made since the last visit. We told the manager what we found. What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? 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 4. Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 26 The report of this inspection is available from our website www.cqc.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@cqc.org.uk or by telephoning our order line –0870 240 7535. Care Homes for Older People Page 9 of 26 Details of our 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) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 26 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 and the support they need. People who stay at the home only for intermediate care, have a clear assessment that includes a plan on what they hope for and want to achieve when they return home. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, or people close to them, have been able to visit the home and have got full, clear, accurate and up to date information about the home. 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 them 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. Good assessments are carried out so that people can be assured that their needs will be met at Kings Court. Evidence: There is a Statement of Purpose in place that provides comprehensive information about the service provided. Further information is provided in a users guide that clearly states what services are provided and what it is like to live in the home. The leaflet shows photographs of the accommodation for people considering a move to the home as well as some basic information. These documents provide good information about the service offered at Kings Court. Before each person moves into the home a pre-admission assessment is completed to ensure that staff are able to meet their needs. Information from the assessment and from relatives and/or care management plans is also used to prepare an individual Care Homes for Older People Page 11 of 26 Evidence: plan outlining each persons care needs. The home understands the importance of having good information about peoples needs before agreeing a placement. Intermediate care is not provided at Kings Court. Care Homes for Older People Page 12 of 26 Health and personal care 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 health, personal and social care needs are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. If they 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. People’s right to privacy is respected and the support they get from staff is given in a way that maintains their dignity. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them 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. Peoples care and health needs are met effectively and supported by the good systems for care planning. Evidence: Each person has a personal plan in place that clearly outlines their care needs. Personal support is arranged to suit peoples individual needs and preferences and some plans could provide more information about how needs are met by staff. Plans are regularly updated. Assessment tools are used to identify changes in peoples needs and risk assessments provide good information about how risks are minimised and monitored. Other healthcare information is well recorded and evidence was available that good systems are in place to ensure that healthcare needs are well met. Evidence was available that peoples privacy and dignity is respected and that staff are sensitive to individual needs. There is in place an effective medicines policy that supports good procedures and practice. Staff training has been provided for all staff responsible for administering Care Homes for Older People Page 13 of 26 Evidence: medicines. Medicines records are well completed and contain required entries. There are regular checks of medicine practice carried out by the manager. Arrangements for the storage of medicines are satisfactory. Care plans show evidence of peoples wishes, choices and decisions as their health deteriorates. Care staff work consistently with support from the district nurses to support people living in the home who have degenerative conditions and terminal illnesses. There was evidence that appropriate plans are prepared for people at this stage of their lives. Care Homes for Older People Page 14 of 26 Daily life and social activities 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 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. They are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. People have nutritious and attractive meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. 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 encouraged and supported to make choices about their routines and lifestyle. Social, emotional, cultural and recreational needs are met in a way that suits individuals. Evidence: There are good opportunities provided for people to take part in planned activities that meet the social needs of all of the residents. Information about peoples social care needs is recorded in care plans to show residents preferences about activities and routines are identified. There is evidence that there is a good programme of activities that are enjoyed by the people living in the home. Records are kept to show who has attended activities and of any specific work going on with people who do not want to attend group events. The notice board in the home shows the programme of events and residents confirmed that these are happening. Three people said that they were very satisfied with the activities on offer. Another person said that sometimes she went out with a staff member for coffee and to do some shopping and she said other people also did this. Other residents said that there were plenty of interesting things to do. One person said that there are plenty of things going on and we are asked about our preferences. It is nice to have a choice to attend group activities or to spend time Care Homes for Older People Page 15 of 26 Evidence: quietly in my own room. The food was well presented and residents said it was very good. Alternatives were available at each meal time. Portion sizes varied according to preferences. All the residents were complementary about the food and appeared to enjoy it. All kitchen staff have undertaken appropriate Food Handling training. Drinks are provided regularly through the day and there is a varied selection offered. There was tea, coffee, or cold drinks of either juice or milk. There were biscuits provided. Fruit was also available. The bedrooms are personalised according to the taste of the resident. Residents said they were happy with their rooms and that they had a lot their own personal items around them. Residents have visitors at any time and are able to use their own rooms, or the lounges to see them. Relatives said that they are made welcomed when they visit and kept up to date with any issues about the people they visit. Residents said they were happy with the arrangements for visitors. Care Homes for Older People Page 16 of 26 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. Any concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse and neglect and takes action to follow up any allegations. People’s legal rights are protected, including being able to vote in elections. 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 by the good systems in place at Kings Court for dealing with complaints and safeguarding. Evidence: There is a written complaints procedure that gives clear information about making a complaint and how this is dealt with by the management of the home. People are given a copy of the complaints procedure before they come to live there and copies are available on the notice board. Good systems are in place for recording and dealing with complaints. No complaints have been made since the last inspection. Three people living in the home said that they felt able to raise issues and were aware of the complaints procedures. One person said I can make a complaint and I know that I could speak to any of the staff if I wasnt happy about something and they would take it seriously. There are clear procedures in place for dealing with safeguarding referrals that protect the people living at Kings Court. Staff have received safeguarding training and three staff were able to describe the appropriate procedures for dealing with any issues. Care Homes for Older People Page 17 of 26 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, 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. 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. Kings Court provides a comfortable, well maintained and decorated environment that suits the individual needs of people living in the home. Evidence: The home is clean, well decorated and odour free. The building has been adapted to suit the needs of the people living there and provides comfortable accommodation. It is light and spacious. The lounge and dining room are well designed with large open windows making the best of the views to the surrounding areas and the main street. There is good access to the main street in Barnard Castle and a small patio area is used in the good weather. Records show that maintenance issues are addressed promptly and there is a planned programme to redecorate and refurbish the home. People living in the home said that they are comfortable and happy with the quality of the accommodation provided. One person said that I am really pleased with my room and en-suite, it is very comfortable and I have been able to bring things in from my previous home so that this is just how I want it. I really like living here. Bathrooms and toilets are tidy and clean. All the bedrooms have en-suite accommodation. Specialist equipment is available to suit the identified needs of the Care Homes for Older People Page 18 of 26 Evidence: people living in the home. Bedrooms are well decorated and furnished offering good personal space. People are encouraged to bring in items from their previous homes. Staff showed that they were aware of good health and safety practice during the inspection. The laundry was clean, well organised and equipped. Staff working in the laundry are aware of infection control procedures. There is sufficient laundry equipment available. Records were available to show that equipment is regularly checked and serviced. Care Homes for Older People Page 19 of 26 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 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 to care for them. Their needs are met and they are cared for by staff who get the relevant training and support from their managers. 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. There are sufficient appropriately trained and qualified staff available to meet the needs of the people living in the home. Evidence: Staffing levels are sufficient to meet the needs, activities and aspirations of each individual living in the home. Two new staff have been recruited, but are waiting for reference and Criminal Records Bureau checks to be cleared before starting work. This means that at times staff have been having to work additional hours to cover the rota and the manager said staff have been very flexible about this. There were adequate numbers of staff to meet the needs of the residents including carers, domestic and catering staff during the inspection. People living in the home said that they were happy with the staff and they spoke warmly about the level of support they received. One person said Everyone has been very kind, I feel safe and comfortable living here. Staff recruitment procedures are clear and define the process to be followed. Records showed that procedures are followed and the manager recognises the importance of effective recruitment in protecting people living in the home. Appropriate checks including reference, Criminal Records Bureau and POVA checks are carried out and records confirmed this. Care Homes for Older People Page 20 of 26 Evidence: All staff receive relevant training in line with Southern Cross policies. Seventy per cent of care staff have achieved national qualifications in care and other staff are working towards completing their training. Training is focused on achieving better outcomes for people living in the home. Staff said that they get enough training opportunities and are well supported by the senior staff. Individual training records are in place and are kept up to date. Staff meetings are held regularly and a staff supervision programme is in place. Staff said that they feel well supported by the manager and senior staff. Care Homes for Older People Page 21 of 26 Management and administration 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 led and managed appropriately. People control their own money and choose how they spend it. If they or someone close to them cannot manage their money, it is managed by the care home in their best interests. The environment is safe for people and staff because appropriate 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. The people staying at the home are safeguarded because it follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and ensures their staff understand the way things should be done. They get the right care because the staff are supervised and supported by their managers. 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 benefit from living in a well managed home and are encouraged to put forward their views about the service provided. Evidence: There has been a new manager appointed since the last inspection who is in the process of applying to be registered with CSCI. She has the experience and qualifications to run the home and has had appropriate induction training and support from her line manager since starting work at Kings Court. She understands the need to keep up to date with practice and to develop management skills appropriate to her job. She is well supported by an experienced senior staff team. Staff said that they felt well supported by the new manager and that she operates an open door policy for people living in the home and the staff. The home has a clear statement of purpose that sets out the aims and objectives of the service. There is evidence that there are good systems for monitoring and Care Homes for Older People Page 22 of 26 Evidence: evaluating the quality of care provided at Kings Court. Systems are in place for monitoring all aspects of the delivery of the service and these are checked by the manager and her line manager. Surveys are used regularly by Southern Cross to collect information about the service from people using the service and their relatives. People are encouraged and supported to retain control of their own money. If people are unable to manage their money clear information is kept in their individual records about the reasons for this. All transactions relating to money held are clearly recorded and appropriate procedures for managing residents money are in place so that staff are clear about their responsibilities. Lockable storage is provided in each persons room so that they can keep money or valuables safely. Health and safety policies and risk assessments are in place and staff receive appropriate mandatory training at regular intervals. Regular checks and servicing of fire equipment are carried out and records show staff have received appropriate fire training. Good records are kept of all accidents and there was evidence that these are monitored by senior staff. Care Homes for Older People Page 23 of 26 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R 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 Care Homes for Older People Page 24 of 26 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, 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 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 7 More information about how individuals needs are met would make care plans clearer and ensure that staff are clear about the support each person needs. Care Homes for Older People Page 25 of 26 Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 or Textphone: or 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) 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. Care Homes for Older People Page 26 of 26 - 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!