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Inspection on 01/11/05 for Newtown House

Also see our care home review for Newtown House for more information

This inspection was carried out on 1st November 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.

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 home is an attractive building, pleasantly decorated and furnished and benefits from its location and gardens. One of its strengths seems to be the good relationships between staff and residents. The Cook offers residents a good choice of meals which are appreciated. Residents and staff share the expectation that the residents will be able to make choices in their daily lives and be able to speak up if they are unhappy with anything.

What has improved since the last inspection?

The ground floor has been redecorated. The failure to mention other improvements should not be seen as a negative comment. It reflects the good standards already in place.

What the care home could do better:

On two occasions in recent months, residents have been admitted before the care manager has provided their written assessment. The manager must always require full information before accepting a resident to make sure that they will be able to meet that person`s needs. Although a range of activities is provided, staff do not record who has taken part in them. The inspector recommended that the manager considers ways of making sure staff are aware if they are not meeting any particular resident`s social or recreational needs.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Newtown House Newtown House Stanhope Bishop Auckland Co Durham DL13 2PG Lead Inspector Kathy Bell Unannounced Inspection 1 November 2005 st 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 Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.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. Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Newtown House Address Newtown House Stanhope Bishop Auckland Co Durham DL13 2PG 01388 528234 01388 527483 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) Durham County Council Mrs Joan de-Bues Care Home 28 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (28) of places Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 25/10/04 Brief Description of the Service: Newtown House is registered to provide care (but not nursing care) for 28 older people. The home is owned and managed by Durham County Council. The building was once a hotel and has pleasant gardens overlooking the River Wear. It is close to the village centre of Stanhope with its shops, pubs etc and there are bus services to neighbouring towns and villages. The building has two storeys with a lift and chairlift to the first-floor. There are 24 single bedrooms and two doubles for those who wish to share. The ground floor has a number of lounges including a smoking area and a dining room. The building is decorated to a good standard throughout. Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This unannounced inspection took place during one day in November 2005. The inspector spoke with 13 residents, one relative, four staff and the manager. She looked around most of the building and some bedrooms and checked some records. The residents and relative were full of praise for the home. Residents felt well looked after, and said they couldnt fault the home. The staff are wonderful and very approachable, very hard worked but they do take time to talk. They said the meals were excellent and more like a four-star hotel. They appreciated the beautiful surroundings What the service does well: 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. Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 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 Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 7 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 Although the home normally ensures it has received information from the care manager before a resident is admitted, this has not always happened. Although the manager follows good practice in making her own assessment, she must make sure she has all available information before accepting a new resident so that she can be sure the home will be able to meet their needs. EVIDENCE: Two residents had been admitted recently before the home had received a copy of the assessment completed by the care manager. The manager confirmed that this did not usually happen. The manager visits new residents before they are admitted to form her own opinion on whether the home can meet their needs. Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 8 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 &8 The home keeps a care plan for each resident which explains the care each person needs and how they like to be looked after. This is very important as it makes sure that all needs are identified and that the staff all know what they must do for each person . Staff make sure that each resident receives the health care they need and keep good records of this. EVIDENCE: The care plans seen included full information on residents needs and how the home was going to meet them. They covered personal care needs, health needs, social and dietary needs. Staff review these regularly to make sure they are up to date. Daily records showed how staff had responded to any health needs and asked for medical advice when necessary. They kept a good clear record on each persons file of when a doctor had been consulted and what advice was given. Residents and a relative felt that staff looked after their health well and knew them well enough to notice subtle signs of ill-health. Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 9 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 & 15 Residents can enjoy the activities provided by the home or pursue their own interests . They can maintain their relationships with family,friends and the local community. Residents make decisions about their daily lives. They enjoy the meals , and are offered a good diet with plenty of choice. EVIDENCE: Staff try and arrange an activity on most days and this is an expected part of their daily routines. These activities include bingo, quizzes, sing-a-longs videos and social evenings. The manager continues to try new ideas: horse racing games have just been bought. Care plans included information on activities people had enjoyed before they moved into the home to help staff offer activities people would enjoy. Staff did not record who took part in each activity . The home should consider a way of making sure they know if any residents are not interested in or able to take part in current activities. This would help them offer alternatives. Residents who chose had a daily paper delivered and staff helped people stay in touch with local events by, if necessary, reading the local paper to them. Residents confirmed that they chose whether they wanted to stay in their Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10 rooms or which lounge they wanted to sit in. They had control of whether a television was on or not. Some residents can go to the Resource Centre next door and maintain friendships made there. One continues to visit the village pub. Relatives are able to visit when they wish and have tea making facilities in the Visitors room. Residents were all satisfied with the meals provided and some praised them highly. A choice of two meals is offered at lunch and tea time during the week and the cook caters for special needs and likes and dislikes. Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 11 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 & 18 Residents and a relative were confident that they felt able to raise any matters they were concerned about but they all added that they were completely satisfied. Procedures and training for staff provide safeguards from abuse for residents. EVIDENCE: Residents and a relative stated clearly that they felt able to raise any thing they were not happy about. They all added that they were completely satisfied and therefore had not needed to complain . The home uses Durham County Councils complaints procedure which includes independent investigation of complaints and a commitment to respond promptly. Information on the local inter-agency procedures on how to respond to any suspicions of abuse was available in the home. Staff have received training in recognising abuse. There are established systems for handling money on behalf of residents and recording this. The accounts are independently audited. Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12 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): 26 The home appeared clean, pleasant and hygienic on the day of inspection. EVIDENCE: All areas of the home which were seen seemed clean and well looked after. Residents said that the home was always kept up to a good standard. A domestic felt that they had enough time to clean the home properly. Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 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): These standards were not assessed during this inspection EVIDENCE: Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 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 The manager is suitably qualified and experienced to run the home. The manager has worked as a manager in care homes for older people for a number of years and is qualified in nursing and management. She promotes respect for and empathy with older people. EVIDENCE: The manager has worked as a manager in care homes for older people for a number of years and is qualified in nursing and management. She promotes respect for and empathy with older people. Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15 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 3 8 3 9 X 10 X 11 x DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 3 14 3 15 4 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 X 18 3 X X X X X X X 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 X 28 X 29 X 30 x MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 X X X X x X x Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 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 OP3 Regulation 14 Timescale for action The manager must always obtain 01/11/05 a copy of the care managers assessment before a resident is admitted. Requirement 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 OP12 Good Practice Recommendations The manager must consider means of making sure each resident s needs for leisure activities are met, if possible. Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17 Commission for Social Care Inspection Darlington Area Office No. 1 Hopetown Studios Brinkburn Road Darlington DL3 6DS 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 Newtown House DS0000031205.V259580.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 - 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!