Inspection on 17/11/08 for Moorhouse Farm

This inspection was carried out on 17th November 2008.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Good 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

Moorhouse Farm 15/11/06

Moorhouse Farm 29/11/05

Moorhouse Farm 14/06/05

Moorhouse Farm 30/11/04

Moorhouse Farm 15/06/04

Similar services:

Turret Villa Retirement Home

Moor House

Mendip House

Beaconsfield Court Care Home

Little Sisters Of The Poor

Manor House

Middleton Hall Ltd

Middlesbrough Intermediate Care Centre

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 31/03/2009.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Moorhouse Farm Moorhouse Lane Ashington Northumberland NE63 9LJ     The quality rating for this care home is:   two star good 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: Karena Reed     Date: 1 7 1 1 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 28 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 28 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Moorhouse Farm Moorhouse Lane Ashington Northumberland NE63 9LJ 01670857727 01670857733 moorhousefarm@highfield-care.com Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Diane Millican Type of registration: Number of places registered: Southern Cross Care Homes No 2 Ltd care home 24 Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 old age, not falling within any other category Additional conditions: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Moorhouse Farm is a converted single storey farm building made of stone with an apex roof to the front where the staff room and administrative offices are located. Outside the building retains its traditional character; inside the accommodation has been designed to provide access throughout the building. The home is in a residential area of town and shares its grounds with a separate care home, Ashington Grange. Both homes are owned by Southern Cross and retain close links and some shared facilities. There is a small kitchen at Moorhouse Farm where breakfasts, teas and suppers are provided; main meals are cooked in Ashington Grange. Car parking is located to the front and side of the building. There is level access to the building on both sides of the home. Ashington town centre is approximately one and a half miles away and there is a local school and park nearby. Moorhouse Farm provides a large lounge and conservatory and a separate dining room and a quiet lounge. The home provides two Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 28 0 Over 65 24 Brief description of the care home bathrooms with assisted bathing facilities and an adapted shower room. There are six communal toilets in the home and all rooms are single occupancy. Residential care is provided at Moorhouse Farm and the home is registered for up to 24 older people. The cost of the service provided at Moorhouse Farm is 419 per week. A Statment of Purpose and service user guide are available at the home. The guide describes the services and facilities provided by the home and how staff are trained to meet residents care and support needs. CSCI inspection reports are also available at the home detailing the quality of care provided. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 28 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: two star good 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: The quality rating for this service is 2 stars. This means that the people who use the service experience good quality outcomes. We have reviewed our practice when making requirements,to improve national consistency.Some requirements from previous inspection reports may have been deleted or carried forward into this report as recommendations,but only when it is considered that people who use services are not being put at significant risk of harm.In future,if a requirement is repeated,it is likely that enforcement action will be taken. How the inspection was carried out. Before the visit,we looked at information we have received since the last Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 28 inspection,how the service dealt with any complaints and concerns since the last visit, any changes to how the home is run,the view of the provider of how well they care for people and the views of people who use the service and their relatives, staff and other professionals. The Visit An unannounced visit was made on date 17th November 2008 During the visit we Talked with people who use the service, relatives, staff, the manager and visitors,looked at information about the people who use the service and how well their needs are met, looked at other records which must be kept,checked that staff had the knowledge, skills and training to meet the needs of the people they care for,looked around parts of the building to make sure it was clean, safe and comfortable and checked what improvements had been made since the last visit. We told the manager what we found. 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 Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 28 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 9 of 28 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 10 of 28 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. There are good procedures in place to ensure that prospective residents are making an informed choice about the home and that the home can meet their needs. Evidence: The Statement of Purpose and service user guide for the home were examined. They were interesting and informative and contained the necessary information as required by the Care Homes Regulations 2001. In surveys received residents and relatives felt that they got enough information from the home and other agencies to make a decision about whether to use this home. Comments include, Moorhouse Farm is a lovely cosy home. As it is small all residents are well taken care of. Im very happy here. My son came and had a look around. Care Homes for Older People Page 11 of 28 Evidence: Im okay and happy. I like the home and the staff made me welcome as soon as I came to see the home. You coudnt get better care in a five star hotel every thing is great no complaints. My daughter arranged for me to come here and enough information was received. I never really knew there was a place like this available, Im content at Moorhouse Farm. I enjoy staying here. ... likes living here. It is a wonderful home could not get better. My daughter researched homes and my other family members visited them with her and they helped to make the decision to move here. Records for four people who live at the home showed that when they were admitted to the home an assessment of their care needs had been carried out before their admission. A copy of the social services assessment and care plan for each person had been obtained before they moved into the home. The person living at the home and relevant people who knew them were involved in the initial assessment. The assessment form encourages staff to explore issues relating to equality and diversity as it refers to gender, cultural, religion and spirituality preferences. It also looks at mood, speech, behaviour, mental health, risks, sexuality and living skills. Residents have the opportunity to visit the home as often as they need in order to decide if they want to live there. A resident may come for meals, have overnight stays and be introduced to other residents at the home at a pace suitable to the individual. Care Homes for Older People Page 12 of 28 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. There are good arrangements in place to ensure the health and social care needs of residents are met by staff. Evidence: After a resident has moved to the home a care plan is designed around their assessed needs so that staff know how to provide the right amount of support. The sample of care plans examined outlined the needs of each resident and how these should be supported. Care plans are written in a respectful way that promotes the individuality and dignity of each resident.The sample showed that all care plans had been evaluated regularly. Records were in place to show how the medical and nutritional needs of residents were being met. Residents care plans recorded information about their social and leisure needs. Health care records were available on the files of residents to show that residents are Care Homes for Older People Page 13 of 28 Evidence: supported to have access to health care services such as GPs, dentists,psychiatric services, district nurses and continence advisors. All residents surveyed said they received the medical support they needed. One comment included, nurse and doctor alwyas called when needed. Risk assessments are in place for residents covering areas such as health care including prevention of falls,continence and nutrition. Moving and handling assessments have also been carried out to show the moving and assisting needs of more dependent residents. Technical aids and equipment are available for residents who are unable to move independently. The home has a medication policy that is available for all staff to read. All staff administering medication have received accredited training. Care records, conversation with staff and observation showed the privacy and dignity of residents is respected. Care Homes for Older People Page 14 of 28 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 adequate quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Overall,residents have opportunities to make choices about activities,daily routines so that they may lead a lifestyle that matches their social care needs, this choice does not extend to the menus. Evidence: There is a welcoming ,vibrant atmosphere in the home. A dog and rabbit are available at the home for residents interest. There are various areas around the home where residents can sit and meet.A dominoes club was taking place in one lounge and arts and crafts were taking place in another lounge if people wanted to become involved. An activities organizer is employed within the home. Activities are available for residents and these include:memory skills,quizzes,baking,pizza night,massage,board games,exercise,song and dance,movies,family visits,arts and crafts,gardening,,kareoke,bingo,book club, tea dances, dominoes and a big breakfast club . Two activities boards advertise the daily activities available. Various seasonal parties are arranged which are supported by relatives.There is a relatives group that meets at the home monthly and residents meetings take place approximately six weekly. Care Homes for Older People Page 15 of 28 Evidence: Coments from one person stated, There are dominoes,bowls,activities with the carers,go to bingo. More activities should be made available for people who like to join in. More days out which residents love especially going to Seahouses for fish and chips. Staff ask each resident about their wishes,interests and choices. Training is planned for the staff team about memory loss. This training should help ensure residents are given more choice in order to keep some control in their lives. Residents have the opportunity to visit the local community with relatives and staff. The home has the use of a minibus so residents enjoy trips to the coast, to the country and to the shopping centres. Staff support residents to keep in touch with relatives. There were some relatives visiting at the time of inspection who had very positive comments to make about the service. The homes menus are devized by the company outside of the home, main meals such as lunch are prepared and cooked at the sister home next door and brought over in heated trollies. The food is therefore not localized and based on the known likes and dislikes of the residents of this home.Residents were not very complimentary about the food.Nineteen of the twenty surveys returned had negative comments to make about the food. Comments include The food is not up to standard. There are too many casseroles. Food quality is not up to standard. I do not like the quality of the food. Two cooked meals a day too much. Quality of food not up to standard. I only require one cooked meal per day and not two. I lke all meals ,no complaints. I sometimes like the meals at the home. Sometimes what I am served is not what I asked for. Care Homes for Older People Page 16 of 28 Evidence: Food that we get from the Grange can sometimes be bland and residents complain on a regular basis. The cook was advised to attend meetings in order to hear about menu suggestions and food likes and dislikes of people so residents comments about the food can be discussed. Residents are asked daily what they wish to eat from the menu selection. A menu displays the daily choices available.Cooked breakfast is available daily.Lunch on the day of inspection was chicken casserole or sausage roll, potatoes and green beans followed by fruit and cream,ice cream or yoghurt. People have access to snacks and drinks in between meals. Residents have nutritional risk assessments and special diets are catered for. Care Homes for Older People Page 17 of 28 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 good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The home has a clear,complaints and protection system,to help protect residents. Evidence: Information about how to make a complaint is provided in the Service Users Guide. There is a complaints procedure on display within the home. The home keeps a record of complaints. There have been three complaints received since the last inspection which have been investigated and any necessary action taken. Residents and relatives surveyed said they knew how to make a complaint. Comments include, I would contact the manager or the care manager. No complaints what so ever. If there was something bothering me or I was not happy about anything I would let my daughter know about it and she would inform a member of staff. The home has a copy of the Local Authorities Vulnerable Adults procedures.This provides staff with clear guidance on how to deal with adult protection concerns. Care Homes for Older People Page 18 of 28 Evidence: Staff training about Protection of Vulnerable adults is planned to be updated. Staff are to complete a course about dementia care to give them more insight into the needs of people with memory loss, this is due to take place before January 2009. Care Homes for Older People Page 19 of 28 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. The home provides a comfortable and safe environment for those living there. Evidence: The home is accessible and placed in a residential area in Ashington. A maintenance person works at the home. There is an ongoing programme of decoration and refurbishment around the home. Since the last inspection new furniture has been obtained for the reception area, armchairs have been replaced,bedrooms have been decorated, carpets have been replaced in some bedrooms,blinds have been obtained,curtains have been replaced. A viewing room is available to show prospective residents what a bedroom looks like in the home. The temperature in the bathroom inspected was not very warm and would therefore not be comfortable for bathing. I was informed bathrooms are heated before residents bathe but this would not allow for an emergency if someone required urgent bathing. The home has an appropriate amount of sitting,recreational and dining space. Furnishings and fittings were domestic in design. Care Homes for Older People Page 20 of 28 Evidence: Room sizes meet the minimum required . Residents all enjoy their own bedrooms and they are personalized with some of their own belongings. Comments include, Everything in the home is kept clean and tidy,no bad smells.Tip top condition. The home is clean and very nice and comfortable and I enjoy staying here. Always clean. I like my room and the garden area. There was emergency lighting around the home. The washing machines have the specified programme to meet disinfection standards. Care Homes for Older People Page 21 of 28 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. There are enough staff for the occupancy levels of the home, they are appropriately recruited and trained to meet the needs of the residents. Evidence: Examination of staff rosters and discussion with the manager and members of the staff team showed that staff numbers are as follows 3 carers, including a senior carer 8 00am - 2 00pm 3 carers, including a senior carer 2 00pm- 9 00pm 2 carers, including a senior carer 9 00pm - 8 00am These numbers do not include the manager. Other members of staff are employed for duties such as food preparation, cleaning, gardening and organizing activities for residents. A sample of staff records were examined and it was evident all the necessary checks are being carried prior to workers being appointed or starting work at the home. Care Homes for Older People Page 22 of 28 Evidence: Two written references were available on staff files examined. An application form had been completed for each staff member. Employment histories were available. CRB checks are carried out before aperson is appointed. Staff photographs were available on staff files examined. There is a good level of staff training. All the carers apart from one, are studying or have achieved National Vocational Qualifications at levels 2 or 3. Staff have received the necessary statutory training and developmental training is planned to ensure staff can meet the specialist needs of people with memory loss eg dementia care. Training carried out includes health and safety, catheter care, safe handling of medication, moving and handling, risk assessment, food hygiene,fire training and first aid. There were many positive comments received about staff which include, Staff are always there for you day or night. Always there when you ring for them, very helpful. If staff werent around they wouldnt be long in coming. Cant grumble about the staff all very good. The staff are very friendly, I enjoy staying here. I think the staff are very good and helpful. As we now have people with mental health issues. I believe staff should be given training on how to handle certain situations. Most of the staff are committed to giving 100 percent to give support and at times tender loving care when needed. Care Homes for Older People Page 23 of 28 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. Residents live in a home that is well run and run in their interests and where the welfare of all is promoted. Evidence: The manager has the relevant qualifications for managing the home. The home is well run and there is an ethos of involving residents and staff in the running of the home. Residents are also involved in decision making in their daily living. Regular staff,resident and relatives meetings take place within the home. There was a very good standard of record keeping and documents detailing fire safety, financial records and other statutory records were all up to date. A communication book detailed some daily personal care needs of residents and these were not recorded in each residents personal records. Lockable facilities are available for residents to keep thier own money if they wish. Care Homes for Older People Page 24 of 28 Evidence: When a resident does not keep control of their own money, the home is able to provide the facility to hold a small amount on behalf of the resident, for everyday living. Individual records show the home has a suitable system for accounting for any monies on behalf of a resident. Staff training relating to health and safety was up to date. Care Homes for Older People Page 25 of 28 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 26 of 28 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 15 16 Discussion must take place with the residents about their dietary requirements, to discuss the menus and their complaints about the food. This will help to ensure that residents are receiving food that is to their satisfaction. 15/01/2009 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 15 Liason should take place between the central kitchen and Moorhouse Farm for the formation of the menus and the cook should attend residents meetings at Moorhouse Farm. Bathroom temperatures should be maintained at a warm,comfortable temperature for the comfort of people using the bathrooms. Staff should continue to receive developmental training such as dementia care, challenging behaviour to ensure the specialist needs of residents are understood by staff. All information about the health and personal care needs of residents should be recorded in their individual files. 2 25 3 30 4 37 Care Homes for Older People Page 27 of 28 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 28 of 28 - 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!