Random inspection report
Care homes for older people
Name: Address: Red Gables 59 Killerton Road Bude Cornwall EX23 8EU one star adequate service 23/09/2009 The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection. This is a report of a random inspection of this care home. A random inspection is a short, focussed review of the service. Details of how to get other inspection reports for this care home, including the last key inspection report, can be found on the last page of this report. Lead inspector: Gail Richardson Date: 1 7 0 3 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Red Gables 59 Killerton Road Bude Cornwall EX23 8EU 01288355250 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: leedifford@btconnect.com Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Ladybrook Care Homes Ltd Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : care home 32 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 32 old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: 0 The maximum number of service users who may be accommodated is 32. The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home only - Code PC to service users of either gender whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following category:- Old age, not falling within any other category (Code OP) Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Red Gables is a large detached house, standing in its own grounds, near the centre of Bude. It provides accommodation for 32 elderly people on two floors. A shaft lift and staircase connect the two floors. The majority of the bedrooms have ensuite facilities. There are a number of communal areas, including a lounge, a conservatory, and a
Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 9 0 4 1 2 2 0 0 9 Brief description of the care home dining room. There are seating areas outside the home, and a patio area. The home is within walking distance of the shops for anyone who is reasonably fit. The current fee scal is (Correct at time of report) £308.00 to £400.00. This does not include hairdressing, chiropody, dental work and opticians. Some toiletries must also be privately purchased. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 9 What we found:
This random inspection was carried out by Regulatory Inspector Gail Richardson over a 4 hour period. The purpose of the inspection was to look at the requirements made at the previous key inspection on the 23rd September 2009 and random inspections on the 4th December 2009 and 8th March 2010 which had highlighted shortfalls in recruitment procedures. A previous agreement was made with the Responsible Individual Stephen Difford at the random inspection 08/03/10 that an audit of all recruitment files would take place with the appropriate action to take place to meet any shortfalls. We agreed a timescale of until 12/03/10 for this to be completed and a summary of actions taken to meet any shortfalls to be forwarded to us by that date. This inspection is to review the audit undertaken and actions taken in response. As part of the inspection we, the Commission, looked at staff files for all 21 staff members at the home. We appreciate that staff employed before the current owners of the home took over the service had undertaken a different recruitment process and had unexplained gaps in the checks undertaken. Taking this into consideration we did not include these staff in the overall audit information within this report other than to recommend some information gathering is undertaken to support the staff and the employer. At the time of this visit there were 21 people living at the home,one person is currently in hospital. During the morning there were on duty, the manager designate, 3 care assistants, one cook, one kitchen assistant and one cleaner. What the care home does well: What they could do better:
From the previous random inspection we had requested a summary of actions identified and taken as a result of the audit of staff files. We received a copy of a memorandum sent to all homes in the service group which confirmed that all staff files are fully compliant with legislation. We found at this inspection that this was not accurate. We looked at all 21 staff files at the home. We found that some files of staff who had been employed prior to the current employer taking over the service did not have sufficient recruitment checks in place. Each person had a Criminal Record Bureau Check but not everybody had an application form or references.These people had been working
Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 9 at the home for a long time and so requesting references at this point would have been difficult. However, we would recommended that these staff members complete an application form to ensure that the manager designate has appropriate contact details should they be needed. We would also recommend that staff complete an employment history to enable the current employer to have insight in current staff members previous experience and skills. We found that of the staff employed since the new providers took over the service and following the audit, eight staff files continued to have gaps in recruitment checks which had not been audited or addressed. An Immediate Requirement was made that these gaps and missing checks were addressed by Friday 19th March 2010 and the Commission be informed in writing, of the actions taken. The gaps included two people who had no references and no evidence to establish that they had been requested. Two people had only one reference, three people had appropriate references which were not dated when they were received and so could not be established if they had been received prior to starting work at the home. Two files were unclear as to who the referee was in relation to the persons previous employment. A further two files demonstrated gaps in employment history which had not been investigated and recorded. These recruitment checks are necessary to ensure the safety of people using the service. We also identified that each person has a job description but not all of these had been signed and dated by the employee to agree that they understood their role at the home. Staff also do not have a contract of terms and conditions of employment. This is recommended to be addressed to ensure that staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 2. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 9 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes R No £ Outstanding statutory requirements
These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 1 19 11 The registered person must 27/11/2009 ensure that as rooms are changed for purpose the Commission is informed and changes agreed in the homes Statement of Purpose. This will ensure that the Commission is aware and has agreed all the necessary changes to the fabric of the home. 2 21 12 The registered person must ensure that all bathrooms and washing facilities are safe and in good repair. Ay repairs/ refurbishments need must be undertaken to ensure the safety of people using the service. 27/11/2009 3 29 19 Appropriate recruitment 15/08/2009 checks must be made to ensure that suitable staff are recruited. This must including two references and a POVA check prior to starting work. Staff must be suited to working with vulnerable people. Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 9 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection:
Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 1 29 19 The staff files identified at 26/03/2010 inspection must have all gaps in recruitment checks completed. These include two appropriate references and any gaps in employment history to be investigated and recorded. This is required to ensure the safety of people using the service. Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 1 29 18 We Identified that references 26/03/2010 are not all dated when returned and so cannot identify if obtained prior to starting work. This is required to ensure that no staff are employed at the home prior to the appropriate recruitment checks having been received. Care Homes for Older People Page 7 of 9 Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service.
No Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations 1 29 Staff members who started work a the home prior to 23/12/08 are recommend to have contact details and employment history made available to ensure the safety of staff and employer. We identified that job descriptions are not all signed and dated by staff member, no contracts are available. This areas is recommended to be addressed to ensure that staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. 2 29 Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 9 Reader Information
Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report Care Quality Commission General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Copies of the National Minimum Standards –Care Homes for Older People can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or got from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CQC copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Older People Page 9 of 9 - 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!
