Random inspection report
Care homes for older people
Name: Address: Limecroft Resource Centre Whitebank Road Limeside Oldham OL8 3JL three star excellent service 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: Steve Chick Date: 3 0 0 6 2 0 0 9 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Limecroft Resource Centre Whitebank Road Limeside Oldham OL8 3JL 01619113490 01619113501 limecroft.RC@oldham.gov.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) : Oldham M.B.C. care home 21 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 21 dementia old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: 21 0 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 Dementia - Code DE The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 21 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Limecroft is a large, purpose built establishment managed by Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council. The home has been adapted to provide short-stay accommodation for up to 21 older people, some of who may have dementia or a physical disability. The people who use the services of Limecroft return to their own homes at the end of
Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 8 Brief description of the care home their stay. The short breaks can also be part of a larger package of care arranged by a social worker in order that the service user is maintained within the local community. A day care facility also operates from the same building but is not subject to inspection. Both the respite and day care service provided by Limecroft supports large numbers of people in the local community. The establishment is well maintained and provides single accommodation over two floors. Eight bedrooms have en-suite facilities. Each floor provides small domestic style living and dining areas. The dining areas are fitted with kitchens for the service users to make themselves snacks and drinks. Adapted baths and toilets are located on both floors and there is a full passenger lift. The building is located within a residential area, close to shops and other community resources. It is understood that the establishment is well served by public transport. There are grounds to the front and side of the building and off road parking is to the front of the property. Fees for accommodation and care at the establishment are subject to a financial assessment the upper limit being £360. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 8 What we found:
We undertook a random inspection to see if Limecroft Resource Centre, which had been judged to be an excellent three star service in March 2008, was still providing a good response to complaints or concerns. This inspection visit was also prompted as the Care Quality Commission had been made aware of two situations where relatives of service users did not appear to be content with the outcome of concerns which they had expressed. We made an unannounced visit to Limecroft. This meant that no one at Limecroft knew we were going to visit. We had also undertaken an Annual Service Review (ASR) in March 2009. An ASR is a summary of any new information collected by us since the last key inspection, but does not involve a visit to the home. In order to complete the ASR we looked at the homes Annual Quality Audit Assessment (AQAA) and surveys returned to us by a selection of staff and service users. That information was predominantly positive, and did not make us change our opinion of the service. At this visit we looked at documentary evidence, including some staff training and recruitment records, the complaints procedure and the record of complaints received. We interviewed two staff members and one service user in private. We also talked to two members of the management team who were in charge when we visited. The manager was on a later shift, and we spoke with her briefly, by telephone, later on the day of the visit. The complaints procedure in the service user guide would be improved by having more detail, rather than referring to another document. We believed this to be about the way it is presented in the service user guide and not an attempt to make the process difficult. The complaints log was not being effectively maintained as the last entry related to 2007, yet there had been complaints since then. One file looked at had some information about a complaint, but this was not a complete record. The manager told us that this was because the complaint had been made through Oldham Metropolitan Borough Councils procedures, but not directly to Limecroft staff, and was investigated independently. The lack of effective records at Limecroft, about all complaints, was more likely to be an administrative issue than a failure to deal with complaints. However, those records would be an important part of demonstrating how complaints can be used as a learning and development tool. What the care home does well:
The evidence showed us that staff recruitment and vetting was undertaken thoroughly. This helps to minimise the chance of staff being recruited who are unsuitable to work with service users. There was also good evidence that staff receive training in connection with the protection of vulnerable adults from abuse or exploitation. This should help staff to identify quickly if a service user is at risk, and take appropriate action to safeguard their interests.
Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 8 All staff and the service user we spoke to were confident that any complaints or allegations would be dealt with appropriately and in a timely manner. The service user said he had no complaints and added if I had I wouldnt keep coming back. This persons file had a printed sheet in it to confirm that the complaints procedure had been given. Although, in this case it was not signed by either the service user or a representative of theirs. What they could do better: If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 2. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 8 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ 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, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 8 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection:
Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service.
No Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations 1 16 The responsible person should ensure that a record is made and retained at Limecroft, of any complaint made about Limecroft Resource Centre, regardless of how the complainant chooses to initiate communicating their concern. This record should include the nature of the complaint, the date it was made, the nature of any investigation and the outcome of that investigation. The responsible person should ensure that information about the complaints procedure which is in the service user guide contains more detailed information about the procedure, including how it will be dealt with at the home. 2 16 Care Homes for Older People Page 7 of 8 Reader Information
Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report Care Quality Commission General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Copies of the National Minimum Standards –Care Homes for Older People can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or got from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CQC copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 8 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!
