CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Park House Care Home 6 Alexandra Road Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR30 2HW Lead Inspector
Ann Catterick Unannounced Inspection 23rd July 2007 09:15 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 Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.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. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION
Name of service Park House Care Home Address 6 Alexandra Road Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR30 2HW 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) 01493 857365 01493 851045 www.blackswan.co.uk Black Swan International Limited Mrs Carol Ann Ridler Care Home 25 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (25) of places Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION
Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 29th March 2007 Brief Description of the Service: Park House is a large detached house situated in the centre of Great Yarmouth, close to local amenities. The service has recently been purchased by Black Swan International, an established care provider with other homes in Norfolk and Essex. It continues to be managed by Carol Ridler. Accommodation is provided for up to 25 older people, comprising of 21 single and 2-shared bedrooms, all have en-suite facilities. There is one large lounge to the front and large dining room with a small quiet lounge at the rear of the house. The home has a small-enclosed garden with a large car parking area. The current fee levels for the service are £289 to £347 per week. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY
This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This was a key unannounced inspection and the site visit took place on the 23rd July 2007 and lasted for 8 hours. Prior to the visit the Commission had asked the manager to complete an Annual Quality Assurance Assessment form and this had returned to the Commission with lots of information about how the manager and proprietors view the quality of the home and what they plan to do to improve it further in the future. Eight comment cards from relatives and/or friends and seven comment cards from residents were returned. Generally comments were positive with only two comments less than positive suggesting more activities and more staff would be beneficial. Comments are included within the report. On the day of the site visit the inspector was able to meet with one of the company directors, the operational manager and the manager as well as to meet with staff, residents and relatives. The inspector was also able to inspect care plans, policies and other documents as well as have a tour of the building. The new owners are making significant improvements to the environment and are transferring care plans and other documentation on to their own paperwork systems. Those residents and relatives spoken to were satisfied with the care that is provided in the home and were pleased that some improvements to the environment had been made and that further improvements to the home are planned. This is an improving home and residents that live at Park House are happy with the care provided. Comments made by residents “Food very good.” “I know who my key worker is.” “Sometimes very boring with nothing to do.” “No complaints about anything.” “Very, very nice.” “They are the best.” Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 Comments made by relatives and/or friends “Staff always make you welcome.” “Everything runs satisfactory.” “I am very happy about the care my mother receives.” “Perhaps they could be wheeled out more often for a change of scenery and fresh air.” “I would expect it to meet most residents’ needs.” “They help in every way.” “Could improve by being allowed more staff.” Comments made by staff “Would always report poor practice.” “Staff work well together.” “Residents well cared for.” “Need more training re dementia care.” What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection?
There has been significant improvement to the environment. The garden, patio and car park have all been cleared of any debris or rubbish and are much more user friendly. The home now complies with the requirements of environmental health and the fire service. Menus and other issues around food provision have improved. The owners have a plan for further improvements to the service and environment. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7 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. The summary of this inspection report can be made available in other formats on request. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8 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 Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 3 and 6 People who use this service experience good outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Residents living in the home can be confident that prior to admission the home has made an assessment to ensure that the home can meet their individual needs. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 EVIDENCE: On the day of the site visit those people living in the home were having their personal and health needs met. Prior to admission the manager would visit a prospective resident to assess whether or not their needs could be met. Evidence of this was seen on file. Evidence was also seen of assessment information from the placing authority. The manager had declined admission of two prospective residents as when she assessed them she concluded that their needs were too great to be met in the home. This is evidence that the home would only admit someone if the home could meet their needs. The home does not offer intermediate care. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 People who use this service experience adequate outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Residents living in the care home can expect a plan of care to be created identifying their needs, although there is opportunity for these plans of care to be more comprehensive. Residents can expect to have their dignity and privacy promoted. The handling and administration of any medicines is done in a safe way so as to promote the well being of residents. EVIDENCE: Several care plans were seen with three being looked at in significant detail. The manager is now using the format provided by the new company, Black Swan. This format is easy to use and gives opportunity for all relevant information to be recorded although some boxes did not give sufficient space.
Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 Information regard interests and social history was limited. The form was electronically downloaded so the size of different boxes could easily be altered. A care plan identified a resident as often slipping of the side off his bed. He had been given a new bed but this appeared very low and the resident felt it did not assist with mobility and moving on and off the bed. A clear, person centred care plan should have highlighted this issue. A recommendation has been made in this area. Within a care plan it was identified that a resident was overweight and had been placed on a reduction diet. It appeared no referral to the nutritionist had been made. A recommendation has been made in this area. Within daily running records evidence was seen to show that residents were given choices. For example a resident chose to eat their meal in their room sometimes and in the dining area at other times. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis and evidence of this was seen in the care plans. The manager said that the relationship between the health service and the home was very good and they were always supported with appropriate aids and equipment. The home is located next to the surgery and residents have easy access to this service. A new storage space had been made for medication with the home using the Boots MDS system. Boots the Chemist has supplied the home with a trolley to keep all medicines secure. All staff who administer medication have received training in this area. One resident chose to administer some of their medication themselves and an appropriate risk assessment was completed and the resident was empowered to do this in a way that protected both their wellbeing and that of other residents. Staff were seen to work with residents in a way that promoted dignity and respected privacy. The manager aims, whenever possible, to enable residents to remain at the home when they come towards the end of their lives. The family of one resident had been able to stay in the home to be close to their relative. This is evidence of good practice. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12, 13, 14 and 15 People who use this service experience adequate outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Residents can be confident that they will be provided with nourishing food and that relatives will always be welcome in the home. There will be some activities in the home but at the time of inspection these activities were limited and need to be further developed. EVIDENCE: There did not seem to be much activity and occupation for residents on the day of inspection. The manager acknowledged this is an area that needs to be further developed. The home is in the seaside town of Great Yarmouth and visits to the promenade would be very easy have with the help of a mini bus. The home does not have its own mini bus put the proprietor said that a mini bus could be hired for such occasions. A singing group had been in the home the previous week and had been very popular. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 A visitor to the home informed the inspector that there were limited activities within the home with only one church service taking place within the last eight weeks. This was a disappointment for some residents as they enjoyed church services. The specific preferences and interests of residents need to be identified and written within the care plans to enable staff to offer these to the residents. A requirement has been made in this area. Visitors are always made welcome in the home and visitors spoken to on the day of inspection confirmed this. Residents are encouraged to care for their own money if this is possible and if not appropriate arrangements are made. New menus have been devised and when speaking to the cook he felt there had been many improvements within the kitchen. New appliances had been purchased and the larder been restocked. Residents always have a choice at meal times and on the day of inspection the lunch time meal was well presented and looked appetising. The dining area is to be improved and new furniture and fittings will be bought. The manger was advised to replace all coloured plastic beakers with more adult appropriate glasses. A recommendation has been made in this area. Teatime is quite early being served at about 16.45. Residents have a supper that can include cheese and biscuits later in the evening, if they wish, but it seems a long time between tea and breakfast and the home may wish to consider having tea a little later. A recommendation has been made in this area. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 16 and 18 People who use this service experience good outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Residents living in the home can be assured that any concerns or complaints they have will be taken seriously. The training staff receive with regard to safeguarding adults promotes good practice and the safety and wellbeing of residents. EVIDENCE: All residents have been given a copy of the complaints procedure and a copy of this has been placed in the hallway for visitors. Those residents spoken to said they would feel comfortable to go to the manager or their key worker if they had any concerns. The complaints book was inspected and any complaint made had been dealt with appropriately. Since the last inspection all staff have received training with regard the safeguarding of vulnerable adults. Those staff spoken to all said that they would report poor practice. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): People who use this service experience adequate outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Residents are living in an improving environment and can expect the quality of their surroundings to continue to improve as the new owners have further plans to develop the home. EVIDENCE: Since the new owners have purchased the home they have implemented many environmental improvements and have plans to make further significant improvements. The home has a large entrance hall with stairway and this has been redecorated and now offers a bright welcoming entrance to the home. The communal areas have had some improvement made and there are plans to make another conservatory area near the dining room.
Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 The garden has been cleared and there are plans to make this area user friendly and easily accessible therefore making an attractive outside area for residents to use. Some bedrooms have been decorated and re carpeted and others are awaiting improvement. New bedroom furniture has been provided. Some of the new beds bought were rather low and the home needs to ensure that the meet need. A recommendation has been made in this area. The home only has one bathroom upstairs. This is a parker bath that not all residents can use. The new owners have plans to install a new bathroom on the ground floor. A requirement has been made in this area. Staff, residents and visitors made comment about the improvements the new proprietors had made to the environment. The new owners discussed future improvements with the inspector. The home has complied with all of the fire and environmental requirements outstanding from the previous owner. The home was clean and free from any offensive odours on the day of inspection. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27, 28, 29 and 30 People who use this service experience adequate outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Residents can be assured that there are enough trained staff working in the home to meet their needs. Staff need to complete further training with regard dementia care if they are to continue to provide care to some residents who have dementia to ensure that there specific needs can be met. EVIDENCE: The home is registered to accommodate 25 people and had 14 people accommodated on the day of inspection. Four staff were on duty in the morning including the manager of the home. Two domestic staff were also on duty and the home was clean and well cared for. The manager was additional to the rota but is usually named on the rota and working shifts. The manager needs to ensure that she has enough time when she is not on the rota to meet all of the responsibilities of her role. A requirement has been made in this area. On the day of the inspection site visit there were enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the residents. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 There is a repeat weekly rota; therefore staff work the same shifts each week. For example if a member of staff works a weekend they will always work a weekend. This practice is rather unusual and the manager may want to consider at least a two weekly rota to offer staff more variation on their shifts. A recommendation has been made in this area. The manager also does not write the additional shifts to the rota until they are completed therefore the staff on duty at any one time may not all be identified on the rota until the end of their shift. A requirement has been made in this area. Staff are supported and encouraged to completed NVQ level two or above. Staff files were inspected and there was evidence of all relevant documentation being received before a person was allowed to work within the home. This included evidence of CRB forms, application forms, references and contracts. New staff receive induction and foundation training and since the new owners have taken over they have improved and amended the homes induction programme. The training needs of individual staff are being identified and it is planned that appropriate training will be offered. Staff spoken to said that they were offered the appropriate training and received induction and support in their role. Some residents in the home have a diagnosis of dementia and the manager needs to ensue that she and staff have training in this area. A recommendation has been made in this area. As the numbers of people living in the home increases the amount of staff working in the home must change to meet this need. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31, 33, 35, 36 and 38 People who use this service experience adequate outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Residents can expect to be living in a home that is managed by a well trained experienced manager who has their needs as paramount. The new owners of the home have seen health and safety as a priority and have addressed the concerns that they inherited in these areas to ensure residents are living in a safe and maintained environment. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 EVIDENCE: The new owners have appointed an Operations Manager to support the managers of all of their establishments. The manager will receive support and supervision from this person. The manager has been working at the home for a number of years and has the appropriate qualifications and experience to fulfil the role. She clearly enjoys her work and is committed to the care and welfare of the residents in the home. She does, at present, spend most of her working time on shift and she needs to ensure that she has the time to fulfil all of those management and administrative responsibilities of her role. The new owners have been quality assuring the service and have been making improvements to the quality of care, changing those areas that were in most urgent need of change first. They will use the company’s own quality assurance format and will publish their findings. The home does not a present have regular staff and resident meetings but there are plans for these to happen on a regular basis in the future. Some money is looked after for some residents. A sample audit was completed and all was in good order. Staff do not receive formal supervision that is regular and recorded. A requirement has been made in this area. The new owners are to transfer all policies and paperwork over to the company forms and this process has started to take place. When the new owners took the home over the first areas that were addressed were in relation to health and safety. The home now meets the requirements of the fire service and environmental health. All appliances have now been serviced and all relevant tests and assessments have been carried out. These include the gas heating system, the alarm and fire extinguishers, water testing, lift service and portable appliances. Not all radiators are covered and on the day of inspection some of these were very hot to touch. A requirement has been made in this area. The premises are secure and much debris that was in the grounds, car park loft and cellar has now been removed. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.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 N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 2 8 3 9 3 10 3 11 3 DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 2 13 3 14 3 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 x 18 3 2 2 1 x x x 2 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 1 x 3 Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.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 OP12 Regulation 16m Requirement Timescale for action 01/10/07 2 OP21 23.2j 3. OP27 18.1a 4 OP27 17.2 Residents living in the home should be offered ample opportunity to engage in meaningful activities that they enjoy both inside and outside of the home. This will ensure that residents have the opportunity to fulfil their social interests and preferences. Residents living in the home 01/10/07 should have a bathing or showering facility near to their private accommodation that meets there needs. This will ensure that residents bathing needs can be met. The manager needs to ensure 01/10/07 that she has enough time when she is not part of the rota to complete all of the management tasks she is required to complete. This will ensure that she has the opportunity to fulfil her role. The manager needs to ensure 01/10/07 that the rota reflects what staff are on duty. This will ensure that it is clear who is working at anytime.
DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Park House Care Home Page 24 5. OP36 18.2 6 OP38 13.4a Staff need to receive formal recorded supervision. This will ensure that any work and training issues are addressed. The radiators in the home need to be covered or to have low surface temperatures. 01/10/07 01/10/07 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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Refer to Standard OP7 OP8 OP19 OP15 OP27 OP30 Good Practice Recommendations It would be good practice to review the height of some of the new beds to ensure that they meet the needs of individual residents. It would be good practice to seek advice from the nutritionist if there are any concerns about a resident’s weight. That the coloured plastic beakers are replaced with more suitable adult beakers. The home may wish to consider the time that residents have their tea as this is early and leaves a very long gap between teatime and breakfast. That the home has a least a two weekly rota to enable staff to vary their shifts. Staff need to have training with regard dementia as some of the residents living in the home have dementia. Park House Care Home DS0000068809.V347028.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 25 Commission for Social Care Inspection Norfolk Area Office 3rd Floor Cavell House St. Crispins Road Norwich NR3 1YF National Enquiry Line: Telephone: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone: 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk
© 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 - 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!