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Inspection on 19/01/06 for Merlin Park

Also see our care home review for Merlin Park for more information

This inspection was carried out on 19th January 2006.

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

Merlin Park 14/11/06

What follows are excerpts from this inspection report. For more information read the full report on the next tab.

What the care home does well

The staff know the residents well and have a good understanding of their needs. The home has a warm and friendly atmosphere, which visitors find very welcoming.

What has improved since the last inspection?

The home has a new owner and many improvements have been made to the home. The sitting room and dining areas have been decorated and refurbished, the upstairs bathroom has been refitted. Some of the bedrooms have been decorated and it is planned that others will be done during the year. The home has had a pharmacy inspection by the community pharmacist and was found to be satisfactory.

What the care home could do better:

The care staff require regular, documented, supervision sessions at least six times a year. The results of the electrical hard-wire test, when completed, must be made available for inspection.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Merlin Park 1 Fort Road Alverstoke Gosport Hampshire PO12 2AR Lead Inspector Pat Griffiths Unannounced Inspection 19th January 2006 10:00 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 Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Merlin Park Address 1 Fort Road Alverstoke Gosport Hampshire PO12 2AR 02392 524366 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) Serincourt Limited To be confirmed Care Home 25 Category(ies) of Dementia - over 65 years of age (25), Mental registration, with number Disorder, excluding learning disability or of places dementia - over 65 years of age (3), Old age, not falling within any other category (25) Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1 A maximum of three named service users may be accommodated in the MD (E) category. Date of last inspection 27/7/05 Brief Description of the Service: Merlin Park was bought by Numada healthcare in November 2005, and is now one of several homes in the area owned by this company. The home is situated in a quiet residential area of Gosport, reasonably close to local amenities and with views across the Solent from the windows at the front of the house. The aim of the home is to provide care and support to older persons, including persons with dementia. There is also provision to care for three people who have a mental disorder. Accommodation is arranged over two floors, the upper floor being accessed by a passenger lift or stairs. There are twenty single and two shared bedrooms, all with en suite facilities. There is a large lounge that has several seating areas and there are two dining areas. The home has a large secure garden at the rear, which is accessible to residents and has several seating areas. There is a car park at the front of the home. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This was an unannounced inspection, the second of two for the inspection year 2005/06, but the first since the change of ownership in November 2005. The new manager assisted the inspector during the visit, the owner and Director of Care also called into the home during the day. The visit lasted seven hours and the focus of the inspection was looking at the progress and improvements that have been made in the home following the changes in ownership and management. The inspector spoke to six members of staff, seven residents and two visitors. A tour was made of the home to see the bedrooms, lounge, dining room and the garden. Staff files and other documents were looked at. When the home was purchased the new owner gave assurances that the requirements made in the last inspection report would be dealt with as soon as possible. The necessary structural improvements, decoration and refurbishment are in progress and the home is already much improved. Staff training needs are being assessed and a training plan is being organised. This will ensure that all staff have the necessary skills to meet the needs of the residents in the home. The owner is keen to ensure that the home provides the same high standard of care as the other homes in the group. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? The home has a new owner and many improvements have been made to the home. The sitting room and dining areas have been decorated and refurbished, the upstairs bathroom has been refitted. Some of the bedrooms have been decorated and it is planned that others will be done during the year. The home has had a pharmacy inspection by the community pharmacist and was found to be satisfactory. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 6 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. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 Arrangements for pre-admission assessments ensure that the needs of potential residents can be met. Standard 6 does not apply to this service. EVIDENCE: The inspector was shown the pre-admission assessment paper work that the home is now using. Information about matters such as mobility, sight and mental state, as well as social interests, religious and cultural needs is gathered. When completed, the forms provide a very good personal, social and medical history of the resident on which to base their care plans. The home has a contract with social services to provide two beds for respite care and the inspector was told that they are usually fully booked. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 9 Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 the following standard(s): 8, 9 and 10 Arrangements are in place to ensure the health care needs of the residents are met. Arrangements regarding medication in the home ensure that the residents and staff are protected. EVIDENCE: The inspector was told that the residents have access to healthcare professionals from the local community. The GP visits when needed, the chiropodist attends regularly and any nursing care is provided by the local District Nurses. One of the senior care staff is responsible for the homes medication, monitoring stock levels, ordering new stock and checking any drugs that need to be returned to the pharmacy. She told the inspector that the home would soon be using new medication administration records (MAR sheets), which will provide an easier and clearer ‘audit trail’ or record of all the drugs received into the home. The home was inspected recently by the community pharmacist and received a good report. The inspector was told that staff that administer Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 11 medication in the home have completed a distance-learning course in medication administration. The two double bedrooms contain portable privacy screens. The manager said that part of the refurbishment would include replacing the screens with curtains, which would provide greater privacy for the residents in those bedrooms. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 the following standard(s): 12, 13, 14 and 15 Residents experience a varied life at the home, they are encouraged to make choices, they have a wholesome diet and their visitors are welcomed. EVIDENCE: The home has some informal activities available for the residents, such as Bingo and word games. The resident’s interests and hobbies are recorded in their care plans. The manager said that an activities co-ordinator would be starting work soon in the home, which will ensure a more structured activities programme for the residents, based on their likes and dislikes. During a tour of the home the inspector saw several bedrooms that have been personalised with the residents own possessions, such as small pieces of furniture, pictures and ornaments. Residents are encouraged to decide what time they will get up and go to bed and to choose the clothes they will wear each day. None of the residents go to church but ministers visit the home and provide pastoral care. Visitors are encouraged, there is an open visiting policy and residents may entertain their visitors in the communal rooms or in their bedrooms. Visitors that spoke with the inspector commented that they were always made welcome and were happy with the care provided by the home. They also Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 13 commented on the improvements made to the home since the change in ownership, saying that the new carpets, chairs and décor have made the sitting room look much more attractive and comfortable. Leaflets have been made available for the residents and their visitors about advocacy services, should they need any help with their personal or financial affairs. The chef has only worked at the home for a few months, but is familiar with the likes and dislikes of the residents. The menus are varied and offer choices to cover all tastes. The manager said that resident’s views about the menus had been sought through a quality assurance questionnaire, and that comments will be reflected in the new menus. The kitchen was clean and all food stored appropriately. Part of the refurbishment of the home will include a new kitchen and food storage areas. Fresh fruit was seen in bowls in the communal areas and the inspector was told that the residents can choose where they would like to eat their meals, some prefer to eat in their bedrooms and others preferred the dining room. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 the following standard(s): 16 Arrangements ensure that any complaints are taken seriously and acted upon. EVIDENCE: The home has the company complaints policy in place, which contains relevant information such as who to complain to within the home and external agencies such as the commission. Residents that spoke with the inspector said that they are aware of whom to complain to if they are unhappy about any part of their life in the home, but felt that they had nothing to complain about. The home has received no complaints since the change of ownership. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 the following standard(s): 19 and 26 When completed, the current refurbishment programme will ensure a safe and well-maintained environment. Arrangements ensure the home is clean and hygienic. EVIDENCE: Numada Healthcare, who also has several other care homes in the area, recently bought Merlin Park. The new owner has started a programme of building, refurbishment and decoration in the home. Workmen were on-site during the visit but disruption was minimal and the areas they were working in did not present a hazard to the residents. The building materials and tools are stored securely outside the home and the residents do not have access to these areas. The workmen assured the inspector that they were aware of the need to ensure the safety of the residents. An environmental health officer has visited the home to discuss the new kitchen and the recent changes in food safety legislation. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 16 The building plans for the home will provide a small ground floor extension to provide a new laundry, manager’s office and staff room. The kitchen is being completely refurbished and a dry food storage area provided. The inspector saw that the sitting room and downstairs hallways have been painted, new armchairs have been provided and new carpets have been laid. The false ceiling has been removed in the sitting room and new light fittings installed. The dining room has new furniture and carpets and has also been decorated. Residents and visitors commented to the inspector that the area now looks much more attractive. The upstairs hallway was being decorated on the day of the visit and the manager said that the floorboards would be adjusted when the new carpets were laid. Workmen were also installing a new bathroom and renewing the bathroom window. The manager said that risk assessments were done on all radiators; those that might present a risk to the residents because of hot surfaces have had covers fitted. The nurse-call system has been updated and now ensures that all residents can access it more easily when in their bedrooms. Extra alarm points have also been installed in the communal areas. The large pond in the garden has been cleared and on the day of the inspection the gardener was filling it in, making more safe space available in the garden for the residents. The home has maintenance staff that work in all of the company homes, as well as gardening staff. All outside doors are kept locked and visitors gain access by ringing the doorbell. The owner said that the new garden fencing would extend to the sides of the home, to ensure that the garden remains secure. Several bedrooms have external doors into the gardens and it will now be safe for the residents to use these doors. Two bedrooms at the front of the house have external doors, which are fire escapes. The owner told the inspector that following advice from the fire safety officer these doors will be linked to the fire alarm system for emergency use only; they will not be used for access into the garden or car park. The home is much cleaner and there were no malodours on the day of inspection. Carpets and furniture are being gradually replaced and all stained and offensive furniture has been removed from the home. Arrangements for the disposal of clinical waste have improved, with larger yellow bins now on site. The dry food store, which was in an outbuilding, has been demolished. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 17 The laundry is temporarily in the attic as the laundry room is being re-built and will be located at the side of the home when the re-build is completed. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 18 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 numbers and skill-mix ensure that resident’s needs are met. Recruitment practices ensure the protection of residents and staff. Staff skills and training needs must be reviewed. EVIDENCE: The home has a staff rota, which shows who is working and which shifts have been worked. The home employs ten care staff as well as cleaning and catering staff. The manager said that they occasionally use agency staff and are advertising for more permanent staff. The manager said that the agency usually send the same staff, which provides some continuity for the residents. The manager said that all new staff would be doing ‘Skills for Care’ induction training. Four of the care staff have completed an NVQ in care (National Vocational Qualification) at levels 2 and 3, all other staff are doing level 2 and one has started level 4. The owner said that the home would be using the same recruitment practices and paperwork as his other homes. The manager confirmed that she would be introducing the new procedures, references will be obtained and CRB and POVA (Criminal Records Bureau and Protection of Vulnerable Adults) checks would be completed before staff start work in the home. The manager confirmed that arrangements have been made to ensure that all staff members have current CRB and POVA checks in place, new applications for these checks have been Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 19 made for some staff and up-to-date ‘passport’ photographs will be placed in each file. The group of homes has a staff-training department, which encourages training and professional development. The training staff are assessing the training needs of the staff and putting together a training plan that will include an introduction to the new company and their policies and procedures. The manager said that all staff attended a training session in January and further training in First Aid and Food Hygiene is being arranged. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 20 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, 36 and 38 Arrangements ensure the home is managed well and in the best interests of the residents. Arrangements do not ensure appropriate staff supervision. Arrangements ensure the health, safety and welfare of the residents and staff. EVIDENCE: The home has a new manager, who has many years experience of working in a care home and has been part of the management team in another local home. The manager will be applying for registration with the commission when she has completed her probationary period with the company. The manager is also undertaking an NVQ4 in care and management. The manager was very positive during the inspection and is confident that the home will continue to improve as everyone ‘finds their feet’ following the change in ownership and management and all the refurbishment of the home. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 21 Residents that spoke with the inspector said that generally they were happy with life in the home; they were pleased about the refurbishment of the sitting room and dining areas, saying that it looked nicer and ‘the chairs are more comfortable’ and they are looking forward to having their bedrooms decorated. Staff do not receive regular documented supervision, which should be done at least six times a year. The manager said that training in ‘supervisory skills’ is to be started, and then staff supervision sessions can be started. The hot water system has been updated and a thermostatic valve has been fitted to the communal bath. There is a programme in place to fit thermostatic valves to all the remaining baths and basins. The manager said that an electrical hard-wire test would be carried out when the building work was completed, the results will be made available for inspection. The records for fire training and equipment checks were in good order. The new service contracts and records for the boiler, lift and other electrical equipment in the home were up to date. Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 22 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 X X N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 X 8 3 9 3 10 3 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 3 17 X 18 X 3 X X X X X X 3 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 3 X 3 X X 2 X 3 Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 23 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? N/A 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 OP36 Regulation 18(2) Requirement All care staff must receive regular, documented, supervision at least six times a year Timescale for action 30/04/06 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 Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 24 Commission for Social Care Inspection Hampshire Office 4th Floor Overline House Blechynden Terrace Southampton SO15 1GW 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 Merlin Park DS0000065569.V279233.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 25 - 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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