Inspection on 13/01/06 for Newtown House

This inspection was carried out on 13th 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

Newtown House 22/06/06

Newtown House 01/11/05

Newtown House 25/10/04

Newtown House 05/05/04

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 09/07/2008.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Newtown House Newtown House Stanhope Bishop Auckland Co Durham DL13 2PG Lead Inspector Kathy Bell Unannounced Inspection 13th January 2006 11:00 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 Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.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.V266211.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.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 1st November 2005 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.V266211.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 January 2006. It was one of the two inspections planned for the year. During the inspection, the inspector spoke with six residents, and four staff as well as the manager. She looked around the building and saw some records. Written comments were received from 16 residents and 12 relatives, who were generally very satisfied with the care provided. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: The home must improve the way it checks the safety of the fire warning system. The temperature of the hot water used by residents is controlled to prevent scalding accidents but the home was not carrying out in the correct way the regular checks needed to make sure that controls are working correctly. Staff have received training in fire safety but have not been receiving refresher training every six months (three months for staff who do night duty) which is recommended. Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 The home should develop ways of actively seeking comments from residents, relatives and other relevant people to make sure they find out if people are satisfied with the home. 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.V266211.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 Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.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): These standards were not assessed during this inspection. EVIDENCE: Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.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): 9 & 10 The arrangements for dealing with medication make sure that residents receive the medication they are prescribed and that it is looked after safely. Residents are able to make their own decisions about, for example, when they need pain relief which gives them greater control over their lives. Residents are treated with respect, and privacy and dignity are valued in the home. EVIDENCE: There are satisfactory systems for ordering, storing, giving out and recording medication. The written instructions on giving out different doses of the same drug are clear to reduce any chances of errors being made. When medication is to be given as required, staff ask residents if they need it. Residents who were spoken with said that they were treated with respect and that staff did knock and wait to be invited into their rooms. The written comments also generally confirmed that residents privacy was respected. Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10 Staff confirmed that they were taught to knock on doors. A relative confirmed that whenever he visits unannounced, his relative is always wearing her own clothes. No one shares a bedroom unless they particularly wish to. Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.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): None of these standards were assessed during this inspection. EVIDENCE: Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12 Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 16 - 18 are: 16. 17. 18. Service users and their relatives and friends are confident that their complaints will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. Service users’ legal rights are protected. Service users are protected from abuse. The Commission considers Standards 16 and 18 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): None of these standards were assessed during this inspection. EVIDENCE: Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 19 – 26 are: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Service users live in a safe, well-maintained environment. Service users have access to safe and comfortable indoor and outdoor communal facilities. Service users have sufficient and suitable lavatories and washing facilities. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. Service users’ own rooms suit their needs. Service users live in safe, comfortable bedrooms with their own possessions around them. Service users live in safe, comfortable surroundings. The home is clean, pleasant and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 19 and 26 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19 The home provides a comfortable, pleasant and safe place to live which meets residents needs. EVIDENCE: The building is an attractive old house (with a modern extension), formerly used as a hotel, with its own grounds in a rural village setting. Adaptations have been made, to provide a lift and stair lift to the first-floor and suitably equipped bathrooms, to make sure that all residents can use the building safely. There are a number of comfortable lounges and sitting areas on the ground floor. There are two double bedrooms but these are only used as doubles if people wish to share. Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 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 & 30 There are enough staff on duty at all times to meet residents needs. The home make sure that only suitable people are employed and provides proper training to make sure they have the knowledge and skills to care for residents. EVIDENCE: There are five care staff, including a supervisor, on duty on the morning shift (until 2 or 3 p.m.) and four on duty for the rest of the day. There are two staff on duty awake at night. Care staff felt these numbers were adequate for current numbers of residents and for the level of care these residents needed. Residents said that staff were always able to come and help them when they needed. Residents praised the general attitudes and helpfulness of staff. Some staff have been on sick leave recently but the remaining staff have been willing to work extra shifts to cover their work so that residents are still cared for by the people they know. Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15 There is a comprehensive training package for staff, covering core subjects such as food hygiene and first aid to make sure that staff are able to look after residents safely. The training department reminds the home when staff are due for refresher training. Most staff have done, or are due to do soon, training in dementia, health and safety awareness, diversity and safe handling of medicines. 70 of the care staff have already achieved NVQ 2 in care which is more than the 50 minimum recommended. This is a commendable achievement. There is an established system for recruiting staff which includes all the required checks such as Criminal Records Bureau check and obtaining two references. Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 Management and Administration The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 38 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Service users live in a home which is run and managed by a person who is fit to be in charge, of good character and able to discharge his or her responsibilities fully. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of service users. Service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home. Service users’ financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s record keeping, policies and procedures. The health, safety and welfare of service users and staff are promoted and protected. The Commission considers Standards 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 33, 35 & 38 Although the management of the home does check that it is providing the service expected by residents, they should develop their systems to make sure that they receive good information back from residents and relatives. This would make sure that they hear about minor concerns, which people may not mention because they are so satisfied with every other aspect of the home. Where the home looks after residents money for them there is a system to make sure that they account for all the money and that it is kept safely so that residents are protected from abuse. In almost all areas, the health and safety of residents and staff is protected but some checks need to be carried out more often to make absolutely sure that the building is safe. Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17 EVIDENCE: Senior staff from outside the home carry out a monthly inspection to check home is operating properly, and seek residents views on these visits. The manager reported that they used to have residents meetings but she has found that residents are more likely to talk freely if she sees them individually or in small groups. During six monthly reviews of residents care, key workers record residents views on the care they are receiving. Monthly health and safety inspections carried out by staff in the home also give them the opportunity to note any areas where improvement is needed. However, the home should also try and obtain views from residents , relatives and professionals who visit the home to make sure they obtain as full a picture as possible of how people see the home. This would help them find out if there are minor issues which people dont mention because they are so pleased with the service in general. The home keeps full records of any money they look after for residents and keeps receipts for money spent. There are comprehensive systems to make sure that the home provides a safe place to live and work. Equipment is serviced regularly, portable electrical appliances are checked and the safety of the electrical system of the building has been checked recently. Staff have had training in essentials such as infection control and confirmed that they had good supplies of protective equipment. However the home must improve in three areas: staff had not been receiving refreshers in fire safety every six months (every three months for staff who do night duty), checks of the operation of the fire warning system had not been done weekly as recommended, although water temperatures were checked, this was not done in the recommended way which would alert staff if any of the thermostats which control the temperature of the hot water were beginning to fail, which could place residents at risk from too hot water. Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People have been met and uses the following scale. The scale ranges from: 4 Standard Exceeded 2 Standard Almost Met (Commendable) (Minor Shortfalls) 3 Standard Met 1 Standard Not Met (No Shortfalls) (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable CHOICE OF HOME Standard No Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 X X X X X X HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 X 8 X 9 3 10 3 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 X 13 X 14 X 15 X COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 X 17 X 18 X 3 X X X X X X X STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 4 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score X X 3 X 3 X X 2 Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 19 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 OP38 Regulation 13 Requirement Staff must receive six monthly refreshers in fire safety training(three monthly for staff who do night duty). Checks of the fire warning system must be carried out(and recorded) weekly. The temperature of hot water at sinks controlled by thermostati valves must be checked and recorded as recommended by the Health and Safety Executive. Timescale for action 28/02/06 RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. 1 Refer to Standard OP33 Good Practice Recommendations The home should develop systems for finding out what residents, relatives, care managers etc think of the home. Newtown House DS0000031205.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20 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.V266211.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 21 - 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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