Inspection on 06/12/05 for Medlock Court

This inspection was carried out on 6th December 2005.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Adequate. 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 found there to be outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report but made no statutory requirements on the home.

Other inspections for this house

Medlock Court 25/09/07

Medlock Court 13/09/06

Medlock Court 20/07/05

Medlock Court 16/02/05

Medlock Court 08/07/04

Medlock Court 25/03/04

Medlock Court 10/02/04

Similar services:

Chirnside House

Keer Sands Residential Home

Ruskin Lodge

Bushell House

Langrigg House

Parkside

Dystlegh Grange

Thornton Lodge

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

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Medlock Court Medlock Way Lees Oldham OL4 3LD Lead Inspector Carol Makin Unannounced Inspection 6th December 2005 10:10a 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 Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.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. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Medlock Court Address Medlock Way Lees Oldham OL4 3LD 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) 0161 911 5081 Oldham M.B.C. Mrs Maureen Schofield Care Home 33 Category(ies) of Dementia - over 65 years of age (10), Old age, registration, with number not falling within any other category (24), of places Physical disability over 65 years of age (15) Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. 2. Service users to include up to 24 OP, up to 15 PD(E) and up to 10 DE(E). A manager, working a minimum of 30 hours per week, must be in place at all times who has the qualifications, skills and experience necessary for managing the home and who is registered, or has an application for registration pending, with the Commission for Social Care. The ratio of care staff to service users must be determined according to the assessed needs of service users and staffing levels must be regularly reviewed to reflect service users` changing needs. All staff must receive training in first aid by 31st May 2004. 3. 4. Date of last inspection 20th July 2005 Brief Description of the Service: Medlock Court is a purpose built Local Authority home situated near to the centre of Lees. It is convenient for local shops and public transport. The home provides care for up to 33 people with age related problems. Accommodation is provided in three wings, each having its own dining/lounge and kitchen area. One of the wings is specifically for service users who need intermediate care from hospital. Bedrooms are all single. However, five have doors to adjoining rooms, which may convert into doubles for people wishing to share. There are large secure gardens for service users’ use. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This unannounced inspection was carried out on 6th December 2005. Action had been taken in relation to most of the requirements, which were made as a result of previous inspections. Some had been fully addressed, but others required further improvement to achieve full compliance with the National Minimum Standards and the Regulations. The inspector spoke with some of the residents, relatives, the manager, and an assistant manager, carried out a partial inspection of the premises, and examined records. Verbal feedback of the findings of the inspection was given to the manager at the time of the inspection. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? Some new bedroom furniture and 2 special beds had been purchased. Thermostatic controls for the radiators had been installed in bedrooms, and ‘cool touch’ radiators had been installed in the lounge areas. The corridors in Green wing had been redecorated and there was some new furniture in one of the sitting areas. Exterior lighting had been installed outside Red wing. There was a new fireplace in Brown wing, and a bedroom had been converted into an office, which was fully equipped with new furniture and floor covering. New floor covering had also been fitted in the main office. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 The quality of pre admission assessments of care needs had improved, and they had been obtained prior to prospective residents being admitted to the home. The content of care plans had improved, and they had been reviewed more frequently. Good progress had been made in implementing a system for monitoring the quality of the service to the residents. 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. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 the following standard(s): 3 and 4 Assessments of care needs are completed before prospective residents move into the home. Prospective residents confirm assessment of their care needs. EVIDENCE: The sample of care files which were inspected, contained assessments of care needs which had been completed before admission to the home, and they had been signed by the prospective residents. that they agree with the pre-admission Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 9 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 and 8 Residents care plans and reviews clarify their care needs. Recording in relation to health care monitoring, did not demonstrate that all of the health care needs of residents are met. EVIDENCE: Each file seen contained care plans and risk assessments which had been regularly reviewed. A record of visits by health professionals was kept on the files. Improvement was needed in the recording and monitoring of residents’ weight and nutritional needs. An ‘admission form’ which contained information about the residents’ needs, was in place on the files seen. The weight recorded on this form on one of the files seen was half a stone more than the weight on the care plan which was dated on the date of admission. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10 The manager explained that the ‘admission form’ was completed when the social worker telephoned the home to make the referral to the home, and not on the day of admission, and the weight would therefore be the weight stated by the social worker, rather than the actual weight at that time. The weight was not recorded on the ‘admission form’ on another file. This was of particular significance because the resident had special dietary needs. The resident’s weight on admission was, however noted on a referral that was later made to the community dietician, together with the weight at the time of the referral. As a result of this referral the Dietician provided daily food intake charts, for staff to complete and a list of snacks, and asked for the resident’s weight to be recorded each week. The food chart had not been consistently completed, (e.g. on one week only 6 out of 28 sections of the food chart had been completed), and the list of snacks was in amongst other information on the resident’s file, and not easily noticeable/accessible for daily use by staff. A record of the resident’s weight, which staff said should have been on the file, could not be found at the time of the inspection. Residents’ weight needs to be recorded on admission and subsequently to monitor progress. It is important that regular checks are made of resident’s weight to assist in monitoring their general health and wellbeing, and assessing the effectiveness of any measures taken to address issues regarding weight loss or gain. Advice sought from health professionals needs to be adhered to for the same reasons. The ‘admission form’ needs to be dated, to show when the information was obtained, and indicate that it is a ‘referral’ form. The date of when the prospective resident was weighed should also be stated, or there should at least be an indication of how up to date the information is. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 11 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): The standards in this section were not assessed on this inspection. EVIDENCE: The standards in this section were not fully assessed on this occasion as they were met on the last inspection. Reference was, however made to certain aspects of these standards during the inspection, and the findings were positive. Residents gave examples which illustrated the flexibility of the daily routine, and relatives confirmed that they could visit when they wished and that they were made welcome by the staff. Comments from residents about the food included “Fantastic”; “Really good and plentiful”; “Perfect really”; “They always offer you more”. One resident gave an example of how individual requests were catered for, she said, “The cook is marvellous. I asked her for a home made custard and I got it”. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12 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): 16 The system for recording complaints could be improved. EVIDENCE: The manager said that one complaint had been made to the home during 2005. A report was available of the investigation into the incident in question, but only brief details of the home’s contact with the complainant were accessible at the time of the inspection, and this did not indicate their response to the outcome of the home’s investigation. The manager explained that a full report had been done, but it was on the resident’s file, which was not readily available, because the resident concerned had been in the home on a short stay basis and was no longer there. In discussing the home’s procedure for recording complaints, the manager agreed that the system could be improved by having a log of complaints made, for easy reference, giving brief details of the nature of the complaint, and subsequent contact with the complainant, including their response to the outcome of any investigation made by the home. It is appropriate to have a full report on the resident’s personal file, but the information needs to be available/accessible for inspection and any other enquiries which may be made. There is also statutory requirement about the length of time that residents records must be kept in the home. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 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): 20 and 25 The home was clean, and the owners were maintaining the property, and providing equipment and pleasant accommodation, for the people who live there. EVIDENCE: Standards 19,21,22,23,24, and 26, all of which were met at the last inspection, were not fully reassessed on this occasion. Observations were, however, made about certain aspects of these standards during the inspection, and reference was made to some of them in discussions with residents. Satisfactory standards of cleanliness continued to be maintained, and no unpleasant odours were detected, in the parts of the home that were seen on this inspection. Residents were very pleased with their bedrooms, and they were able to bring in personal possessions of their choice to meet their needs. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 Since the last inspection thermostatic controls for heating had been installed in bedrooms, ‘cool touch’ radiators had been installed in the lounge areas, and some new bedroom furniture and 2 special beds had been purchased. The corridors in Green wing had been redecorated and there was some new furniture in one of the sitting areas. There was a new fireplace in Brown wing, and a bedroom had been converted into an office, which was fully equipped with new office furniture and new floor covering. Exterior lighting had been installed outside Red wing. The manager said that arrangements were in hand for work to be done in February 2006 to improve the access for residents to the garden. A new timescale for completion of the work by 31/03/06 was therefore agreed with the manager. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15 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): 27,29 and 30 Suitable staffing levels were maintained. The procedures for recruiting new staff were satisfactory. Overall, the training programme for staff was suitable for meeting the needs of the residents. EVIDENCE: The information which was obtained for the inspection, indicated that staffing levels within the home met the minimum standards. Since the last inspection there had been an improvement in the records regarding staff recruitment, which are available in the home, although some information continues to be held at head office. Records showed that 2 written references and Criminal Records Bureau checks had been obtained before employment began. Details were provided of a range of training for management, care and ancillary staff, which indicated that a training programme in accordance with the national minimum standards had been implemented in the home. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 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): 31,33,37 and 38 The home was being managed to a satisfactory standard. The quality audit systems are not fully functional. Many records were appropriately kept, but some recording could be improved. EVIDENCE: The manager has completed NVQ Level 4 in care, and the Registered Manager’s Award. The manager said that 2 of the assistant managers were undertaking training for NVQ Level 4 in management. Since the last inspection good progress had been made in implementing a system for monitoring the quality of the service to the residents. Questionnaires had been distributed to residents, relatives, and visiting health and social care professionals. When the survey has been completed, an analysis of the findings will be needed, as well as details of action taken by the Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17 home to address any issues that may have been highlighted in the responses to the questionnaires. A timescale of 31/03/06 was agreed with the manager for completion of the analysis. Improvements were noted in the frequency of recording tests and checks in relation to fire precautions, but checks of the means of escape need to be consistently recorded each week, and visual checks to make sure that access to the fire extinguishers is not obstructed must be done every month. Deficiencies in the maintenance of fire precautions records, and issues noted previously in this report in Standard 8 also have an impact on Standard 37, which relates to specific records that are required by statute. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 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 3 3 X X HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 2 9 X 10 X 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 X 13 X 14 X 15 X COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 2 17 X 18 X X 2 X X X 3 3 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 X 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 X 2 X X X 2 2 Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 19 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes 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 OP8OP37 Regulation 14 Requirement Timescale for action 06/12/05 2 OP16 3 4 OP20 OP33 22, 17 (2) Schedule 4 13 10,12,24 The registered person must ensure that residents’ weight and dietary needs are recorded on admission, and subsequently monitored. The registered person must 01/01/06 ensure that a record is kept of all complaints made to the home. The registered person must ensure that that resident’s have safe access to the gardens. The registered person must ensure that a quality assurance and monitoring systems are provided in line with the National Minimum Standards. The registered person must ensure that tests and checks in relation to fire precautions are carried out at the prescribed intervals. 31/03/06 31/03/06 5 OP38OP37 23, 17(2) schedule 4 06/12/05 Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20 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 Refer to Standard OP8 Good Practice Recommendations The registered person should ensure that information on the ‘admission form’ is dated, and clearly shows that it was obtained at the point of referral, and rather than at the time of admission to the home. Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 21 Commission for Social Care Inspection Ashton-under-Lyne Area Office 2nd Floor, Heritage Wharf Portland Place Ashton-u-Lyne Lancs OL7 0QD 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 Medlock Court DS0000035503.V263587.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 22 - 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. 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