Inspection on 24/10/08 for Martins House

This inspection was carried out on 24th October 2008.

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

The inspector found no outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report, but made 1 statutory requirements (actions the home must comply with) as a result of this inspection.

Other inspections for this house

Martins House 04/10/07

Martins House 28/02/07

Martins House 06/09/06

Martins House 24/11/05

Martins House 01/08/05

Martins House 02/11/04

Martins House 10/06/04

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Bilney Hall

Hill Barn

Mabbs Hall Nursing Home

Henrietta House

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 17/12/2008.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Martins House Jessop Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 5LL     The quality rating for this care home is:   one star adequate 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: Bijayraj Ramkhelawon     Date: 2 4 1 0 2 0 0 8 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. the things that people have said are important to them: They reflect 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 21 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2008) 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.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 21 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Martins House Jessop Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 5LL 01438351056 01438741528 manager@martinshouse.org Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Chauncy Housing Association Limited care home 63 Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 dementia old age, not falling within any other category Additional conditions: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Martins House is owned and managed by Chauncy Housing Association. Martins House is registered to provide residential support to 63 elderly service users. The home is a purpose built three storey setting in a residential area of Stevenage. There is a parade of shops nearby and the town centre is about a mile away. Accomodation is provided in single rooms, although there are facilities to offer shared facilities if requested. All rooms have en-suite toilet and washing facilities and there are a number of assisted bathrooms throughout the home. On the ground floor there are two sitting rooms, conservatory, activities room and a large open planned dining room. The main kitchen and food storage area is adjacent to the dining room. There are additional small domestic style kitchens on each floor. There is a unit housing eleven frailer service users on the first floor. The floors are linked by two passenger lifts. The home also provides a hair-dressing facility. The current fees charged range from £355.11 to Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 21 Over 65 11 63 0 0 Brief description of the care home £535.84 per week. Up to date Statement of Purpose and Service Users Guide and a copy of the lastest inspection report can be obtained from the care home. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 21 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: one star adequate 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: This unannounced key inspection was carried out on the 24th September 2008 and took one day. It included talking to people using the service, visitors, staff on duty, examining care plans, staff files, staff training records, fire safety procedures, maintenance records, duty rotas, complaints records, all other relevant records and documents and a tour of the premises. The home sent us their Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. Information provided in the AQAA has been reflected in this report. Feedback received from people using the service was positive. They said they were happy with the care they received, the food and activities provided. One person said I Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 21 am happy here, staff are good and I am well looked after. Another said I am quite satisfied with everything now that we have a new call system with pendants. In relation to equality and diversity, the home has this policy in place and staff spoken to were aware of it and ensured that people are treated equally irrespective of their age, race, gender, disability, religious beliefs and cultural background. 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. The report of this inspection is available from our website www.csci.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning our order line –0870 240 7535. Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 21 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 9 of 21 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. People who would like to use the service are able to make an informed choice and be sure that their needs could be met. Evidence: An up to date copy of the Statement of Purpose and the Service Users Guide was available to current and prospective residents. People using the service spoken to confirmed that they were provided with a copy of both documents before they came to the home. Care plans examined showed that a pre-admission assessment of needs was completed prior to a resident moving to the home. As stated in the AQAA (Annual Quality Assurance Assessment) the registered manager will within the next twelve months develop the homes own website so that people can easily access information about the home (Standard 6 does not apply to Martins House). Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 21 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. People using the service can be confident that their personal and health care needs would be met appropriately in a manner that upholds their individuality. Evidence: Six care plans were examined. These were found to be person centred and provided information about the individual in the form of a profile, plan of care and support, risk assessments, assessment of needs including reports from other professionals and daily records. However, people suffering from diabetes or other specific health care needs should have a separate care plan so that staff are aware of the possible risks and the management of these risks. Residents said that their rights to privacy and dignity was respected by staff. There were good systems for the administration and management of medicines. Care Homes for Older People Page 11 of 21 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 using the service can benefit from the opportunities provided to participate in activities that are appropriate to their needs and from the support they receive to build and maintain friendships as they wish. Evidence: Residents spoken to said that there was a variety of activities provided for them to participate in. A programme of planned activities was devised and displayed on the notice boards and staff said that residents were reminded of the activities taking place on a daily basis. Library services are also provided and religious needs are met by the visiting clergy. Residents said that they were able to choose which activities they would join in. A weekly menu was displayed and residents said that they were provided with choices as well as alternatives. As stated in the AQAA the manager will within the next twelve months continue to build stronger links with families through direct contact, involvement in reviews, email newsletter and the introduction of coffee mornings for each unit and intends to explore further opportunities for expanding the types of activities currently being provided. Care Homes for Older People Page 12 of 21 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 adequate quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People using the service are assured that they are safeguarded from the risks of abuse but their concerns must be acted upon in line with the homes own policies and procedures so that people feel that their issues are dealt with. Evidence: The home has a complaints procedure which residents and staff spoken to were aware of. Residents said that if they had any concerns they would speak to members of staff in the first instance. Thirteen complaints have been received since the last inspection (04/10/07) and ten compliments. One complaint was being investigated by the manager and was not finalised within the homes policies timescale of 28 days nor was the complainant informed of the delay. Staff spoken to were aware of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding adults and records showed that they had completed the relevant training. Care Homes for Older People Page 13 of 21 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. People living in the home benefit from a comfortable environment that is mainly well maintained, cleanliness needs to be addressed in some areas to improve the ambiance for the people that live and work there. Evidence: Martins House is a purpose built three storey building. The home is well maintained and is domestic in style and provide a homely and comfortable environment for its residents. However, some bedrooms were very dusty, the top floor corridor carpets are badly stained and the laundry room was very dusty with debris behind the washing machines. As stated in the AQAA, the manager will within the next twelve months replace the flooring and redecorate the corridors on the ground and first floor, will continue to re-carpet and decorate residents rooms on a rolling programme and convert the games room into a snug TV lounge. Care Homes for Older People Page 14 of 21 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. People using the service benefit from a caring and supportive staff team and that they feel protected by the homes recruitment policy and practices. Evidence: Information gained from the duty rostas, staff members including the senior management team provides evidence that staffing levels on days and nights remain adequate to meet the needs of residents in each unit. In addition to the care team, the home has administration staff, training staff, catering and ancillary staff members. 62 of care staff have now completed the NVQ Level 2 and above. A rolling programme of training is facilitated for staff. Care Homes for Older People Page 15 of 21 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 using the service can be assured that their health, safety and welfare are protected by the systems and practices in place and that they will be able to express their views. Evidence: The management within the home has an open door policy where staff could see them at any time with any issues or concerns they may have. Overall, people using the service have commented positively on the quality of service provision. However, it was noted that risk assessments for the hot water urns used in the kitchenettes in each unit was not carried out; food stored in the fridge in each unit was not dated and no records of the temperature for each fridge were kept; fire drills carried out did not include night time and the night staff. Money handed over to staff for shopping did not have the signature of the receiver and the hair dresser did not provide a receipt for hairdressing. Care Homes for Older People Page 16 of 21 Evidence: The home maintains appropriate records for the health and safety of residents and staff in the home and staff follow the homes policies and procedures. Care Homes for Older People Page 17 of 21 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 18 of 21 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 1 16 22 Complaints received must be 28/11/2008 acknowledged, investigated and complainant informed of outcome with timescale. So that the complainant is assured that the complaints are investigated and acted upon. 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 A separate plan of care should be devised for residents with diabetes and other specific health care needs so that staff are informed of the management strategy and how to support them with such conditions. Residents bedrooms should be dusted and cleaned regularly. The top floor corridor carpets that were badly stained should be cleaned or replaced. The debris behind the washing machines in the laundry room should be removed, the area kept clean and the flooring replaced. Money handed over to staff for shopping should be signed by the receiver and money paid on behalf of residents for hairdressing should have a signed receipt for ease of auditing. 2 26 3 35 Care Homes for Older People Page 19 of 21 4 38 Food stored in the fridges in each kichenette should be dated and a record of the temperature for each fridge is kept so that residents are not put at risk. Food stored in the fridge should be dated and a record of fridge temperature should be kept so that residents are not put at risk. Fire drills carried out should include during night shift so that night staff have the opportunity to participate. Risk assessments should be carried out for the hot water urns used in each kitchenettes so that risks are identified and managed to protect the residents. 5 38 6 7 38 38 Care Homes for Older People Page 20 of 21 Helpline: Telephone: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone: 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.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 © (2008) 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 21 of 21 - 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!