Inspection on 29/06/05 for Loose Valley Nursing Home

This inspection was carried out on 29th June 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 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

Loose Valley Nursing Home 16/09/08

Loose Valley Nursing Home 16/10/06

Loose Valley Nursing Home 15/11/05

Loose Valley Nursing Home 09/03/05

Loose Valley Nursing Home 26/08/04

Similar services:

The Shelley

Springfield House

Sutton Lodge Nursing Home

St Helier`s Residential Hotel

St Joseph`s

Ridgemount

Wingham Court

Old Hastings House

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 09/07/2008.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Loose Valley Nursing Home 15 Linton Road Loose Maidstone Kent ME15 0AG Lead Inspector Deborah Sullivan Unannounced 29 June 2005 9:30 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 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. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Loose Valley Nursing Home Address 15 Linton Road Loose Maidstone Kent ME15 0AG 01622 745959 Telephone number Fax number Email address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) Nellsar Limited Mrs Kathryn Louise Garner CRH Care Home 39 Category(ies) of OP Old age (34) registration, with number TI Terminally Ill (5) of places Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: The registration is restricted to caring for older people which can include up to five people with a terminal illness Date of last inspection 09/03/2005 Brief Description of the Service: Loose Valley Nursing Home is situated a short distance outside central Maidstone on the A 229. The road is a main transport route with a good bus service. The home is set in attractive grounds overlooking the Loose valley, a number of the bedrooms have a view of the grounds and surrounding coutryside. The home was sold to Nellsar Ltd in 2004, it is registered to provide nursing care for a maximum of 39 older people, 5 of whom may have terminal illness. There are currently seven double and twenty three single rooms. Accomodation is on two floors, a shaft lift provides access for residents to the upper level. The manager of the home has been in post since 1997 and is a Registered General Nurse. Registered General Nurses are on duty at all times, complimented by care assistants, a chef, kitchen assistants, domestic and laundry staff, a maintenance operative and an activities coordinator and fitness instructor. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This was an unannounced inspection which took place from 10.45 am, until 3.30 pm. During the inspection time was spent viewing the premises, talking with residents, the manager of the service, care and other staff and a visiting medical professional and viewing samples of documentation. Lunchtime and an activities session were observed. The home had one resident vacancy at the time of the inspection. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? The last inspection was held on 9th March 2005, following a recommendation made then a programme of training on Adult Protection has been implemented to add to training on this topic included in induction and on NVQ training. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 6 A number of staff attended in May, a further session is booked for September. A single bedroom has been changed to double accommodation. A bathroom is being converted into a shower room. 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. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 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 Standards Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 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 standard(s) 1,2,3,4 and 5. Prospective residents have access to comprehensive information about the home to enable them to make a fully informed decision. Residents can be sure that their needs will be thoroughly assessed and met by the home. EVIDENCE: Both the statement of purpose and service user’s guide are very well presented and give clear up to date information about the service. Residents spoken with all said that their friends or family had been able to visit on their behalf prior to admission. One resident stated that Loose Valley was chosen as ‘it is the best home in the area’. Verbal and documented evidence showed that assessment takes place before agreement to a place is given. The manager or senior staff undertake assessments. Residents receive a comprehensive written contract on admission that clearly states terms and conditions. It was clear from observation and speaking with residents and staff that the assessed needs of residents were consistently met to a high standard. The home does not offer intermediate care. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 9 Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 10 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 standard(s) 7,8,9,10,and 11. Residents’ health and personal care needs are well met and documented, residents are treated with respect and dignity at all times. Procedures for the administration of medication are good. Staff manage terminal illness with sensitivity. EVIDENCE: Care plans evidenced that health needs are well documented, kept up to date and give clear individually recorded information on needs such as weight, diet , tracking of medical appointments and risk assessments. A visiting medical practitioner spoken with who is regularly at the home was highly complimentary about the level of care given and the attitude and professionalism of staff and management. Residents said that their needs were met and that they were treated with dignity at all times. Comments from residents included ‘nothing is too much trouble’ and ‘the care staff are very good and cheerful’. One resident commented that occasionally staff respond a little slowly to call bells, but this was not a major problem. This was later raised with the manager and will be addressed. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 11 Throughout the inspection staff were observed to respond to residents respectfully and in a professional manner, whilst demonstrating genuine personal interest in the well being of residents in their care. Medication procedures were inspected, thorough policies and procedures are in place for the administration of medication including internal auditing on a monthly basis to ensure procedures are correctly followed. Staff spoken with evidenced that residents who are terminally ill and their families are treated with respect and training is given on this topic. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 12 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 standard(s) 12,13,14 and 15. Residents are encouraged to make choices and maintain contacts and interests. Meals are well cooked and nutritious with plenty of choice. EVIDENCE: Residents spoken with during the inspection said that they were happy at the home and that they were able to spend time in their rooms or mix with others to individual choice. A variety of activities are on offer, the home has an activities coordinator and a fitness instructor. A quiz session led by one of the coordinators was observed, residents were keen to participate and had chosen this as the preferred activity that day. Other sessions on offer are singing, outings, exercise sessions and board games. The activities coordinator was keen to expand the amount of outings on offer if possible dependant upon suitable transport being available. Regular religious services are held at the home of various denominations. Residents spoken with all said visitors were welcome at any time. One resident was especially pleased that a relative could bring their dogs to visit. The lunchtime meal was observed, three choices of main course and a variety of puddings were offered. The meal was unhurried and took place in pleasant Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 13 surroundings. Food was well cooked and presented. Comments from residents regarding meals included ‘ meals are varied and nutritious’, and ‘ meals are very good’. The rotating menu plan was inspected and seen to offer a wide choice. During the course of the inspection from observation, discussion with residents and staff and reading documentation it was very evident that choices are offered and respected by the home as far as is possible. An example of this during the inspection was choice of location for residents to sit in. Due to the weather the popular conservatory was quite hot, when a number of the residents chose to remain there staff quickly put in place measures to cool the room, made sure cold drinks were available and closely monitored residents. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 14 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 standard(s) 16 and 18. Residents feel confident that any complaints will be addressed and can be raised. Residents are protected from abuse by a staff group aware of Adult Protection issues. EVIDENCE: Residents spoken with said that they would feel confident in raising any complaint with the home manager or other staff and that it would be addressed. One resident who had been at the home a number of years had never had cause to complain as neither had newer residents spoken with. The home has a complaints procedure and also asks for any comments or complaints on an annual internal audit survey given to residents, relatives and visitors. Staff spoken with individually were aware of the procedure and how to act should a resident complain to them. The home has an Adult Protection policy, since the last inspection on 9th March 2005 Adult Protection update training has been made available to all staff as well being included in induction and NVQ courses. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 15 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 standard(s) 19,20,21,22,23,24,25 and 26. Residents are provided with a safe, clean, homely and well furnished environment. Facilities and equipment are in place to help maximise independence. EVIDENCE: The home is well decorated, maintained and cleaned to a high standard. The general atmosphere is homely and welcoming. Furniture is of good quality and there is plenty of space and natural light throughout. Verbal evidence was given by the manager that some damaged chairs were soon to be replaced. The majority of communal rooms and individual bedrooms have attractive views of the surrounding countryside and garden. The manager identified that parts of the garden and paths needed attention to make areas more accessible to residents during good weather, measures are already underway to action this work. Residents’ rooms reflect individual interests and tastes and residents spoken with said that they had brought personal items of furniture from previous Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 16 homes. Residents were happy with their rooms, which were all clean and comfortable. Sixteen single and two double rooms have en suite facilities. Specialist equipment was in evidence throughout the home, if a resident requires a personal occupational therapy assessment this is requested and any equipment recommended purchased. Safety and day to day maintenance issues are managed by a full time maintenance employee. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 17 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 considers Standards 27, 29, and 30 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 27,28, and 30. Residents are supported by a committed staff group who are well trained and confident in their role. EVIDENCE: There are sufficient care and other staff employed within the home to meet the needs of residents, the turnover of care staff is low and staff spoken with during the inspection were well established, positive about their role and committed to giving the best possible service. Comments from care staff included ‘I enjoy giving residents love and respect’ and ‘the residents make the home’. Residents spoke highly of care staff and throughout the inspection carers were observed to respond to residents confidently and to have good rapport with them. Staff receive induction training and Nellsar Limited offers a range of ongoing courses including Manual Handling, Health and Safety, Bereavement and Health and Safety and POVA. The home is on target as regards reaching 50 care staff being NVQ trained in 2005. Staff felt well supported as regards training needs being addressed, supervision is given bi monthly with regular appraisal. Recruitment was not inspected on this visit but the last inspection found that processes were good. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 18 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 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 31,32,33,35,36,37 and 38. The home is well managed in the best interests of residents and staff. The residents’ safety, health and welfare are promoted at all times. EVIDENCE: The registered manager of the home is a qualified nurse, holds a Diploma in management studies and is experienced in the running of the home. Residents, care and other staff all spoke very highly of the way the home is managed of feeling well supported or cared for. The manager demonstrated thorough understanding of the needs of residents and involvement in all aspects of the running of the home. The attitude of staff was open and the atmosphere welcoming, happy and friendly. Health and safety are promoted by regular monitoring of repairs needed in the environment, training and the homes’ policies and procedures. Evidence was Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 19 seen of a fire practice, which took place the day before the inspection and was satisfactorily carried out. The home does not manage residents’ finances. An internal quality audit is carried out annually, residents, relatives and visitors are invited to complete a questionnaire about the home. This years’ form had just been circulated .The results of the 2004 audit were seen and were satisfactory. One resident seen was keen for a friend to visit and help with the form so their positive comments could be recorded. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 20 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 ENVIRONMENT Standard No 1 2 3 4 5 6 Score Standard No 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Score 4 3 3 3 3 N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 4 9 3 10 3 11 3 DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 3 14 4 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 x 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score Standard No 16 17 18 Score 3 x 3 3 3 3 x 3 3 3 3 Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 21 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? 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 Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 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. 2. Refer to Standard 9.1 19.3 Good Practice Recommendations The broken key to the medicine fridge to be replaced so that medicines can be stored safely. The grounds to be made safe and accessible for residents and paths outside replaced as where uneven. Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 22 Commission for Social Care Inspection The Oast Hermitage Court Hermitage Lane Maidstone Kent, ME15 0AG 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 Loose Valley Nursing Home H56-H06 S60403 Loose Valley Nursing Home V223201 290605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 23 - 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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