Inspection on 22/06/06 for Newtown House

This inspection was carried out on 22nd June 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 13/01/06

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 Mr Leonard Hird Unannounced Inspection 22nd June 2006 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 Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 13th January 2006 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.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This unannounced key inspection of Newtown House took place on the 22nd June between 0930 and 1330 hrs as well as the 12th July between 1330 and 1600 hrs. The inspection process considered all of the Key standard areas as identified by the Commission for Social Care Inspection within the Care Homes for Older People National Minimum Standards. These Key standards are: Choice of Home (NMS 3), Health and Personal Care (NMS 7, 8, 9 and 10), Daily Life and Social Activities (NMS 12, 13, 14 and 15) Complaints and Protection (NMS 16 and 18), Environment (NMS 19 and 26), Staffing (NMS 27, 28, 29, 30,) and Management and Administration (NMS 30, 31, 33, 35 and 38). The Commission for Social Care Inspection received 27 written comments from residents and relatives as well as verbal comments on the days of inspection from residents, family members, visitors and social workers. Comments were also received from the registered manager, members of the care staff team and team manager. What the service does well: Newtown House was clean, tidy, well decorated and comfortably furnished in a pleasant and very homely way. Residents spoken with were positive in their comments about the home. A residents written comment stated that, ‘they could not find anything wrong with the home’ another stated that, ‘they would recommend the home for someone to come and live in’ whilst another stated that,’ they were very pleased with the home and very satisfied with it’. Relatives were similarly positive with written comments such as, ‘I am very pleased with the care that my relative receives. ‘The care staff are more than helpful. They provide an excellent service to the local people of the dale’ another stated, ‘that the management is that provide a first-class standard of care for all residents’. Whilst another stated that, ‘Newton house is in excellent form with excellent staff. My relative has been resident for several years and they are perfectly happy and content’. Residents were satisfied that they could make choices about what they did there in their lives and commented that, ‘ we can choose what we want to do’. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 The health and safety of residents was being well managed and staff had received appropriate training to enable them to look after the residents. 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.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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): NMS 3 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Newtown House had ensured that prior to admission, an assessment of the needs of the prospective resident seeking to be admitted to the home had been undertaken by suitably qualified staff. EVIDENCE: Evidence was being maintained on individual residents files that before coming to live at Newtown House there had been assessments of needs undertaken by suitably qualified staff. Both the Local Authority and the home had carried out these assessments of needs. Residents spoken with confirmed that the home was meeting their current needs. Written confirmation received from residents in response to questions asked in the Commission for Social Care Inspection’s questionnaire ‘Have Your Say Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 About Newtown House’ confirmed that over 90 of the residents had received enough information about Newtown House before deciding to move in. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 Health and Personal Care The intended outcomes for Standards 7 – 11 are: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The service user’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Service users’ health care needs are fully met. Service users, where appropriate, are responsible for their own medication, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Service users are assured that at the time of their death, staff will treat them and their family with care, sensitivity and respect. The Commission considers Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): NMS 7 NMS 8 NMS 9 and NMS 10 Quality in this outcome area was good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Individual residents health, personal and social care needs were being set out in their care plan. The homes medications policies, procedures, guidance and programme enabled staff to dispense medication to residents safely. training Residents were able to make decisions about how they could lead their lives and were treated with respect and dignity. EVIDENCE: Residents living at Newtown House had individual plans of care in place and information was being maintained about the individual residents health and personal care needs on these plans. Care plans reviewed during the inspection-included information about personal care, mobility, weight and health requirements. Assessments of risk were Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 included in the plans and took account of the individual residents views e.g. whether to self-medicate or not. Care staff reviewed the residents’ plans of care and where any changes had been identified during these reviews they had been acted upon. The registered manager confirmed that a review of the style of care plans being used at the home was being undertaken. Records were maintained by the home of the individual residents health needs as well as when GPs and other health professionals had visited their patients at the home. Care staff had undergone training in both the safe handling and administration of medication and first aid. Records of this training were being maintained on the individual member of staffs files. All of the a written comments received from residents of Newtown House by the Commission for Social Care Inspection in response to the Commission for Social Care Inspection’s questionnaire ‘Have Your Say About Newtown House’ confirmed that residents received the medical supported they needed. A written comments received from a relative stated that, ‘the care my mother receives is excellent from all aspects’. Verbal comments were received during inspection from other residents and relatives who also confirmed that residents received the medical support that they required. It was observed during the inspection that the staff had very friendly, caring and positive working relationships with residents and all of the residents were being treated in a respectful and dignified manner by staff. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 Daily Life and Social Activities The intended outcomes for Standards 12 - 15 are: 12. 13. 14. 15. Service users find the lifestyle experienced in the home matches their expectations and preferences, and satisfies their social, cultural, religious and recreational interests and needs. Service users maintain contact with family/ friends/ representatives and the local community as they wish. Service users are helped to exercise choice and control over their lives. Service users receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing surroundings at times convenient to them. The Commission considers all of the above key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): NMS 12 NMS 13 NMS 14 and NMS 15 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The routines of daily living and activities available at Newtown House were varied and flexible and generally meeting the needs of the residents. The independence and personal choices of the residents living at Newtown House were being encouraged by the home. The dietary needs of residents were well catered for with a balanced and varied selection of food being made available throughout the day. EVIDENCE: It was observed that the daily routines of living were very flexible and meeting the needs of the residents. Activities were arranged for residents within the home and residents had been consulted as to the type of activities they would like to take part in. Residents confirmed that this is happening in both in writing and verbally. Information was being displayed throughout the home of the different activities on offer to residents. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 Records were being maintained of activities undertaken by residents in the home as well as of those organised by the Create program. Relatives visiting the home spoke highly of the homes visiting policy and a relative stated in writing that, ‘the staff team were always very willing and helpful, not forgetting their cheerfulness and concern for everyone they care for’. Menus were being displayed in the home of the different choices of food available and special diets were being catered for where required. Verbal comments received from residents about the food ranged from ‘the meals were excellent ’ ‘ I cannot grumble ’ to ‘if I dont like something, I can always have something different’. A written comment from a resident and received by the Commission for Social Care Inspection stated that. ‘ the food couldnt be better feel and that they were very lucky to have good cooks’. Records were being maintained of the choice of food being made by residents as well as records of the homes Menus. Records of training undertaken by the catering staff including Food Hygiene training were being maintained on their personnel file. Regular residents meetings were being held and the choices of food and activities being made available at home to residents were nearly always discussed and minutes of these meetings were kept. The registered manager also confirmed that they spoke on a regular basis with residents. They also confirmed that the home was using a simple quality of service questionnaire to ensure the home was meeting the needs of residents. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 16 - 18 are: 16. 17. 18. Service users and their relatives and friends are confident that their complaints will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. Service users’ legal rights are protected. Service users are protected from abuse. The Commission considers Standards 16 and 18 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): NM16 and NMS18 Quality in this outcome area is good. The judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to the service. The complaints and adult protection policies and procedures currently being used in Newtown House provide for a safe environment for residents to live in. EVIDENCE: Newtown House had appropriate policies and procedures available for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults. From discussions with staff it was confirmed that they were aware of the importance of acting quickly in cases of suspected abuse and that they would follow the homes policy and procedures if necessary. Staff had received training on how to deal with the Protection of Vulnerable Adults and records were being maintained of this training. Staff confirmed that they had received training in how to deal with the Protection of the Vulnerable Adult. Newtown House had appropriate policies and procedures in place for residents and their families on how and who to complain to if they needed to. Information on how to complain was being displayed on the notice boards in the home as well as being contained in the residents guide to the home. No complaints had been recorded within the past 12 months. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 Written comments received from residents in response to the Commission for Social Care Inspection’s survey ‘Have Your Say About Newtown House’ con firmed that they were aware of how and who to complain to. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 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): NMS 19 and NMS 26 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to the service. Newtown House is clean, pleasant and hygienic and provides a safe and comfortable environment for its residents. EVIDENCE: Newtown House had been decorated and furnished to a very pleasing standard and took full account of the residents needs. A resident spoken with commented, ‘ my room is very pleasant and it is well decorated’. A resident’s room visited by invitation during inspection was furnished with pieces of their own furniture and decorated in their own style. The communal living areas were all well decorated and maintained. Records of maintenance work undertaken at the home were being maintained. Newtown House is clean, tidy and free from unpleasant odours. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 A relative commented that, ‘ the home was always was kept spotlessly clean and free from odour’. Residents spoken with on the days of inspection were complimentary of the physical environment they lived in. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 Staffing The intended outcomes for Standards 27 – 30 are: 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users’ needs are met by the numbers and skill mix of staff. Service users are in safe hands at all times. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Staff are trained and competent to do their jobs. The Commission consider all the above are key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): NMS 27 NMS 28 NMS 29 and NMS 30 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Newtown House through its recruitment, employment and training procedures were ensuring that only suitably qualified care staff had being employed. Staffing levels at the home were sufficient to meet the current assessed needs of both groups of residents. EVIDENCE: From a review of the staff rota provided it was noted that staff were being deployed in sufficient numbers as to ensure the current needs of the 24 residents were met. From written information provided by the home to the Commission for Social Care Inspection it was noted that the home had provided an extra 111 care hours more than the guidance of 448 care hours per week as recommended by the Residential Care Forum to meet the current needs of the residents. There was a commitment to training for all staff at the home and currently 70 of the homes care staff were qualified at NVQ level 2 in care or above and 6 other members of staff were completing their NVQ level 2 in care. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 Staff had received appropriate induction training. There was a rolling training programme operating in the home providing training in moving and handling, dementia training, safe handling and administration of medication, first aid, dementia training, infection control, fire awareness and the Protection of Vulnerable Adults. Staff spoken with confirmed that training had been undertaken and that it was very important to their own professional development. In documentation sent to the Commission for Social Care Inspection by the homes Registered Manager it was confirmed that staff were undertaking a course in Equality and Diversity. Records were being maintained of all training being given to staff in the home and individual records of training were been kept on the staffs files. All care and ancillary staff employed at the home had being recruited in accordance with the homes policies procedures and that of Durham County Councils. Appropriate employment checks including an enhanced level Criminal Records Bureau check had been undertaken on staff employed by Durham County Council before starting to work at the home. This confidential information had been recorded on the individuals personnel file and the files were being kept securely. There was, however, a number of visiting professional staff to the home that regularly worked with residents at the home. Durham County Council did not directly employ these visiting staff and it could not be confirmed that all of the appropriate employment and Criminal Records Bureau checks had been undertaken on these staff. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 Management and Administration The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 38 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Service users live in a home which is run and managed by a person who is fit to be in charge, of good character and able to discharge his or her responsibilities fully. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of service users. Service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home. Service users’ financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s record keeping, policies and procedures. The health, safety and welfare of service users and staff are promoted and protected. The Commission considers Standards 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): NMS 31 NMS 33 NMS 35 and NMS 38 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Newtown House has an established management structure ensuring that the home promotes the health, safety and welfare of residents and Staff. EVIDENCE: There were clear lines of management, accountability and support systems to be found within the home. Formal supervision sessions were being given to all members of the care staff, management team and ancillary staff. The Registered Manager also received supervision from the local authorities team manager for the area. Records of staff supervision sessions were being maintained securely and staff confirmed that they had received copies of their supervisions. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 From discussions with staff it was confirmed that they were aware of the management structure within the home well as the role of the outside management team. Comments received from residents, relatives and visitors during inspection were all positive about the home and how they were being involved in the running of it. Minutes were being kept of the regular residents meetings. The responses to the points raised by residents during these meetings from the manager were also being kept. The Registered Manager also had a regular dialogue with relatives and visitors to the home. Newtown House is subject to regular external financial audits by the Local Authorities internal Audit team. The latest audit records available for Newtown House from this audit team confirmed that the home was safeguarding the financial interests of residents. Regular fire alarm tests and fire drills had been undertaken at the home and records were being maintained accordingly. Records were also been were being maintained of when facilities and equipment used in the home had been serviced and who had undertaken and completed the work e.g. Portable Appliance Testing. Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People have been met and uses the following scale. The scale ranges from: 4 Standard Exceeded 2 Standard Almost Met (Commendable) (Minor Shortfalls) 3 Standard Met 1 Standard Not Met (No Shortfalls) (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable CHOICE OF HOME Standard No Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 X X 3 X X X HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 4 9 3 10 3 11 3 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 3 X X X X X X 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 X 3 X 3 X X 3 Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? 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 OP29 Regulation Regulation 19 Schedule 2 Requirement The Registered Manager must be able to confirm that those staff not employed by Durham County Council and who have regular contact with residents living at East Green have the appropriate employment and Criminal Records Bureau checks in place. Timescale for action 31/10/06 RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Newtown House DS0000031205.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 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.V298734.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 25 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. 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