Inspection on 16/12/05 for New Milton House

This inspection was carried out on 16th December 2005.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Good. The way we rate inspection reports is consistent for all houses, though please be aware that this may be different from an official CSCI judgement.

The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

Other inspections for this house

New Milton House 02/05/06

New Milton House 18/05/05

New Milton House 07/10/04

New Milton House 29/04/04

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 New Milton House Station Road Alsager Stoke-on-trent ST7 2PB Lead Inspector Bronwyn Kelly Unannounced Inspection 16th December 2005 09:30 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 New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.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. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service New Milton House Address Station Road Alsager Stoke-on-trent ST7 2PB 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) 01270 874422 01270 884191 www.clsgroup.org CLS Care Services Limited Care Home 41 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (41) of places New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. 2. This home is registered for a maximum of 41 service users in the category of OP (old age not falling within any other category) The registered provider must, at all times, employ a suitably qualified and experienced manager who is registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection 18/ 05/2005 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: New Milton House is a care home providing personal care and accommodation for 40 older people. The home is owned by CLS Care Services, a not for profit organisation’ that manages a number of homes in the northwest region. New Milton House is situated in the small town of Alsager, and is part of the local community. There are shops, a library, doctors surgery and a bus stop close by. The home is next to a local park. New Milton House is a two-storey building, and was purpose built approximately thirty years ago. Two passenger lifts are available for access to the first floor. Residents’ accommodation consists of 40 single bedrooms, one of which can be used as a double room if required. Communal facilities include four lounges and a dining room, providing a choice of sitting areas. There is access to a garden area with seats, benches and sun shades provided for the warmer weather. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This inspection was unannounced and took place over six hours on one day. A tour of the building took place, and with the permission of the residents, a number of bedrooms were seen. A variety of records were examined as part of the inspection. Part of the process of the inspection is to listen to the views of the residents that live in the home and listen to the views of their relatives and visitors. On this occasion, six residents were spoken with privately and group discussions took place in lounge and dining areas with a number of other residents. Three visiting relatives were happy to give their views of the home during the inspection. A district nurse who had called in to treat some of her patients was spoken with. The views of three care staff, activities co-ordinator, care team leader, cook and domestic staff were also listened to. Five comment cards were completed by relatives either during the visit or posted to the CSCI office and six residents were assisted to complete a questionnaire during the inspection. What the service does well: The residents living in New Milton House are happy with the care they receive. One resident said “I would recommend this home to my friends”. Another said, “I am never bored here - we are always doing something”. One resident summed up her conversation by saying “I’m just happy living here. Life goes on very nicely”. Some comments written by relatives on the comment cards were: • “My mother has come on in leaps and bounds since she moved into the home”. • “New Milton House is always bright and cheerful”. Residents have a comfortable home in which to live, with a choice of lounges and a conservatory. The atmosphere in the home is warm and welcoming and there is evidence of good relationships between residents, relatives and the staff group. Various activities and outings take place, which residents can join in with if they wish. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.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 New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.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): 1 and 3. Standard 6 does not apply, as intermediate care is not provided. Residents’ needs are assessed before they move into the home to ensure they can be met. Good information is available for service users to help them make a decision about moving into the home. EVIDENCE: The service user guide has recently been updated, and the home is in the process of having these printed and copy placed in each service users’ bedroom. A copy is available for any visitors to see. This guide provides information about what the home offers to residents living there and the range of facilities and lifestyle residents can expect. The manager or a member of the senior staff visit each prospective resident in their own home or hospital and carry out an assessment, to ensure their needs can be met at the home. Social work or medical assessments may also be used as part of this process. When the resident moves into the home, this information is used to develop a plan of care. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.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 9 Some care plans do not provide staff with sufficient information they need to satisfactorily meet residents’ needs. The medication system at the home is well managed providing protection for the residents. EVIDENCE: Five individual plans of care were seen. There were inconsistencies in the quality of the recording. Instructions were written by a visiting professional on a ‘contact with other professionals’ sheet regarding a residents’ diet, but these has not been transferred to the resident’s care plan. Care staff were therefore not aware of this resident’s latest care needs. Other care plans showed that the ‘contact with other agencies’ form is used to record changes to residents’ care, instead of the care plans. When a new ‘sheet’ is put into use, this covers up previous information that may still be relevant. There were no photographs in the home for five residents, one of whom was admitted in March 2005. One resident’s care plan had not been written until early December even though she had been admitted in early September. Some care plans contained New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10 a social history, or information about the resident’s life. Others contained very little information. The quality of the record keeping does not reflect the actual quality of care being given, which residents said was good. This was also reflected in the views of a visiting community nurse, who was very happy with the quality of care given to her patients that she visits. One relation wrote on a comment card – “We are all so pleased with mum’s progress – all due to the excellent staff. It is much appreciated”. Senior staff in the home who give out medication have attended a medication training course. Policies and procedures for dealing with medication are in place, and the systems seen were well organised. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.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): 12, 13 and 14 Social activities provided in the home and links with the local community are well organised and provide stimulation and interest for the residents. Routines at the home are flexible, enabling residents to have choice and control over how they spend their time. The dietary needs of residents are well catered for with a balanced and varied selection of food that meets residents’ tastes and choices. EVIDENCE: At the last inspection, the activities co-ordinator was spending a lot of her time covering for care staff vacancies in the home, and activities for residents were insufficient. Since then, a number of care staff vacancies have been filled, and activities for residents have resumed. Recent activities have included reminiscence, quizzes, visiting entertainers, bingo, trips out to the local market and local restaurants for a meal. On the day of inspection, a Christmas party and entertainer had been arranged for the residents. The local community is encouraged to be involved in the home, and representatives from a local charity, The Lions, visit the home on a monthly basis for drinks and a singalong. The residents spoken with confirmed that they can choose whether or not to attend any organised events. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12 Residents’ meetings are held on a reasonably regular basis, where they have the opportunity to discuss any issues to do with living in New Milton House. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 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 and 18 The home has a satisfactory complaints procedure ensuring that any concerns of residents or their families are dealt with promptly and correctly. Arrangements for protecting residents from abuse are satisfactory so residents are not at risk from harm or poor practice. EVIDENCE: The complaints procedure is available in the service user’s guide and a copy is displayed in the entrance hall. Information regarding how to contact the CSCI is also displayed. There is a culture of openness in the home, where relatives and residents are encouraged to communicate with staff in a relaxed manner. Residents spoken with said they knew who to speak to if they had any concerns about living in the home. The staff spoken with displayed a good understanding of adult protection procedures, and training courses are arranged to update staff. The Commission for Social Care Inspection has not received any complaints about New Milton House in the last twelve-month period. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 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 New Milton House provides a comfortable and safe environment for the residents. EVIDENCE: Since the last inspection, there has been improvement to a number of areas of the home, providing a more homely environment for the residents. A new carpet has been provided for the dining room, and redecoration has taken place to some of the corridors. The conservatory is still quite ‘cramped’ as many of the residents choose to sit in there, while two of the three lounges are hardly used. The manager is working with the residents to look at alternatives to the present seating arrangements. The standard of cleanliness throughout the home was good, with no noticeable odours. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.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): 28 and 30 Although there are insufficient numbers of qualified care staff working in the home, the residents are well cared for by a caring staff team. Staff morale is high and in-house training is continuing, ensuring staff are competent to do their jobs. EVIDENCE: The pre inspection questionnaire received from New Milton House on 11 November 2005 showed that four of the nineteen care staff have achieved an NVQ qualification. This is 21 of the care staff and is below the CSCI qualification target of 50 by 31 December 2005. The home must demonstrate how they intend to meet these targets. Over the past few months, a number of care staff vacancies have been filled and there are still two vacancies for night care staff. This will have had a bearing on the above percentage. However, staff and training records confirmed that other training is taking place or planned, that is relevant to the care and support needs of the residents. All new staff receive induction training. Five of the general domestic staff have been undertaking an NVQ 1 in housekeeping. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17 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, 35 and 37 The third manager in two years has been in post for a few months, and should provide some stability in the staff group and continuity of care for the residents. Opportunities are given to residents to express a view on the running of the home and services received. Systems are in place to safeguard the handling of residents’ finances. EVIDENCE: The manager of New Milton House has a number of years experience at a senior level and is continuing with her training for the Registered Managers award. Staff spoken with confirmed that the manager is approachable and communicates well with everyone. A quality assurance system is in place, and residents and/or their families have recently received a questionnaire. The results of this survey are being collated and there are plans to make a summary available in the service users’ guide. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 During the inspection, the local Environmental Health officer visited to inspect the kitchen facilities. He said the standard of cleanliness in the kitchen was good, and only made one minor recommendation. Part of the inspection included checking some information on the staff files. These were unavailable as the manager was on leave, and no one else in the home had a key to the filing cabinet they were in. The manager must ensure that records required for inspection are available in the home at all times. Systems are in place to help residents with their financial affairs, which are in line with CSCI recommendations. Residents who are unable to look after their own affairs may keep their money centrally in a CLS residents’ bank account and accrue interest. Details can be accessed for each resident at any time on the home’s computer. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 19 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 3 X 3 X X N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 2 8 X 9 3 10 X 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 3 14 3 15 X COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 X 18 3 3 X X X X X X 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 X 28 2 29 X 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 X 3 X 3 X 2 X New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? No STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales. No. 1 Standard OP7 Regulation 15 Requirement Timescale for action 28/02/06 2 3 OP7 OP37 17(1)(a) 17(2)(3) Each service users’ care plan must specify how their needs in relation to health and welfare are to be met in sufficient detail so that care staff know what action needs to be taken. A photograph of each service 28/02/06 user must be kept in the home. Records of staff employed in the 31/01/06 home must be available for inspection at all times. 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 OP28 Good Practice Recommendations A minimum of 50 of the care staff should be trained to NVQ level2 or equivalent. New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 21 Commission for Social Care Inspection Northwich Local Office Unit D Off Rudheath Way Gadbrook Park Northwich CW9 7LT 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 New Milton House DS0000006507.V257224.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. 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