Inspection on 03/11/05 for Margaret House (Abbots Langley)

This inspection was carried out on 3rd November 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

Margaret House (Abbots Langley) 13/03/07

Margaret House (Abbots Langley) 26/04/05

Margaret House (Abbots Langley) 24/08/04

Margaret House (Abbots Langley) 11/06/04

Similar services:

Claremont House

Oak Ridge

Sun Court Nursing Home

Ashville House

Bilney Hall

Hill Barn

Mabbs Hall Nursing Home

Henrietta House

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

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Margaret House (Abbots Langley) Parsonage Close Abbots Langley Hertfordshire WD5 OBQ Lead Inspector Pat House Unannounced Inspection 3rd November 2005 X10015.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 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 Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 2 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. Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Margaret House (Abbots Langley) Address Parsonage Close Abbots Langley Hertfordshire WD5 OBQ Telephone number Fax number Email address Provider Web address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) 01923 261190 01923 299 902 Quantum Care Limited Mrs Isabel Darby Care Home 51 Category(ies) of Dementia - over 65 years of age (51), Old age, registration, with number not falling within any other category (51), of places Physical disability over 65 years of age (51) Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 26th April 2005 Brief Description of the Service: Margaret House is a care home for men and women who are over 65 years, who may also have a physical disability or dementia. The home comprises six purpose-built units, or bungalows, three which are for residents with dementia and two of these are now managed and staffed together. The resulting five units each has its own lounge, dining area and small kitchenette. There are two courtyard gardens outside and also a patio area. Car parking is in an adjacent area to the front of the building. The home is situated in a residential area of Abbots Langley and there is a nearby walkway leading to the High Street where there are shops, pubs and restaurants. Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The inspection was unannounced and took place over one day with one inspector. The Manager was present during the visit and staff and service users were spoken to. Records were checked and care plans and medication administration were assessed on one of the units. Almost all Standards were checked during the previous inspection with no requirements or recommendations made at that time. This visit therefore concentrated on service user feedback and spot checks were made on some key areas. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? 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. Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 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 Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 7 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 the following standard(s): These standards were not examined on this occasion. EVIDENCE: Standard 6 does not apply to the home. All other standards were assessed and met at the previous inspection. Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 8 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 the following standard(s): 7, 8 and 9. Service users in the home have appropriate details of their care needs recorded so that all needs can be met. Procedures for the administration of medication are thorough and promote the well being of service users. EVIDENCE: Standards 7 to 11 were assessed and met at the last inspection. Service users were spoken to from one particular unit during this inspection and care plans and records were checked for some of these individuals. Records were up to date and well documented and evidence of health monitoring was in place. Medication for these service users was being reviewed about twice each year and appropriate risk assessments were in place. Service user contracts are issued to all service users and kept in the main office. The storage and records for medication administration was spot checked on one unit, the systems appeared thorough, with no errors found. Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 9 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 the following standard(s): 12, 14 and 15. The provision of activities and the promotion of personal choice in the home, help to provide stimulation for the residents. The meals provided are nutritious and are clearly enjoyed by service users in the home. EVIDENCE: Standards 12, 13 and 15 were thoroughly assessed and met at the last inspection. During this visit a coffee morning and sale was taking place in the home to which the local community was invited. All residents have a “pen picture” completed of what they enjoy and these records were seen on care plans. The Manager said that further work was taking place with the activities co-ordinator to provide more dementia activities and to introduce simple exercise sessions linked to the prevention of falls. The Manager said that it was mostly families that handled the finances of service users but that information about local advocates was provided where appropriate. Service users’ bedrooms have been personalised and the residents are able to bring in their own possessions subject to risk assessment. The Manager and staff are aware of the residents’ rights to access their records, subject to the Data Protection Act. The mid-day meal was seen served on one unit, and the residents clearly enjoyed the food. The meal was served appropriately and discreet assistance was given with feeding in two cases. The meal was served hot and looked appetising and there were two choices available, which had been requested by service users the day before. Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10 The kitchen was visited briefly and was clean and well stocked. There had been a visit from the Environmental Health Officer in June and no problems were identified at that visit. It was suggested that daily menus could be displayed in each unit and this will be considered by the Manager, although staff said this had happened in the past. Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 11 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 the following standard(s): These standards were not assessed on this occasion. EVIDENCE: These standards were fully inspected and met at the last inspection. Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12 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 the following standard(s): 19. Service users in the home live in a comfortable, well maintained environment, which helps to enhance their daily lives. EVIDENCE: All these standards were assessed and met at the last inspection. A brief tour of parts of the home was made at this visit and there were no areas of concern identified. Bedrooms were clean and bright, and the home was warm and well decorated. There was one area with an unpleasant odour and a sticky floor, but the domestic staff were cleaning this area during the visit. There was a lid missing from the bin on the main unit checked and staff appeared to need oven gloves for serving the meal. The Manager will ensure these items are provided. Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 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 consider all the above are key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27, 28, 29 and 30. Staff in the home are provided in adequate numbers and trained to a level that ensures service users’ needs can be met. The home’s recruitment policy helps to protect service users from abuse. EVIDENCE: All these standards were fully assessed and met at the last inspection. Service users confirmed that there were usually enough staff on duty in the home to meet their needs and staff numbers were adequate on the day. Staff felt that the levels of training provided were good and enabled them to provide the appropriate care for the residents. The Manager confirmed that training in Adult Abuse was on going and provided for all staff in the home. The target of having at least 50 of care staff trained to NVQ level 2 or above has been achieved by staff in the home. Some recruitment files were spot checked and evidence of all the necessary information was in place. Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 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 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 33, 34, 35 and 38. Quality checks and thorough financial procedures in the home, along with good general safety practices, all help to safeguard the interests of the residents. EVIDENCE: Standards 31, 32, 36, 37 and 38 were assessed and met at the last inspection. The home has a robust system of Quality Assurance and records were seen of the surveys completed for food and activity satisfaction. The Manager provides an annual plan for the home, based on quality monitoring, this has been examined at previous inspections. Appropriate records are being kept and the home has adequate insurance cover in place. The system for handling service users’ personal allowances is thorough with appropriate records being kept. Maintenance and servicing records are kept and are up to date. Regular fire checks and drills take place. The manager keeps the CSCI informed of all significant accidents and incidents in the home and regular reports are received from the Operations Manager in compliance with Regulation 26 of the Care Homes regulations. Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15 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 Standard No Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 x x x x x N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 3 10 x 11 x DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 x 14 3 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 x 17 x 18 x 3 x x x x x x x STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score x x 3 3 3 x x 3 Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? No 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. 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. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Margaret House (Abbots Langley) DS0000019457.V262920.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17 Commission for Social Care Inspection Hertfordshire Area Office Mercury House 1 Broadwater Road Welwyn Garden City Hertfordshire AL7 3BQ 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. 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