Inspection on 06/02/07 for Ridgeway House

This inspection was carried out on 6th February 2007.

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

Ridgeway House 30/01/08

Ridgeway House 17/01/06

Ridgeway House 12/07/05

Ridgeway House 21/10/04

Ridgeway House 22/06/04

Similar services:

22 Sandown Road

The Highlands

Turret Villa Retirement Home

Dilston College Of Further Education

West View House

Moor House

Prince Bishop Court

Park View (15)

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 09/07/2008.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Ridgeway House Front Street Station Town Wingate Durham TS28 5DP Lead Inspector Mr Stephen Ellis Unannounced Inspection 6th February 2007 2:00 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 Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.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. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Ridgeway House Address Front Street Station Town Wingate Durham TS28 5DP 01429 836383 01429 837658 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) leeminggarth@schealthcare.co.uk Southern Cross (Hamilton) Limited Care Home 48 Category(ies) of Learning disability (10), Old age, not falling registration, with number within any other category (38) of places Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. Named Individual: The home may accommodate a named individual as set out in a letter to the registered person dated 1st August 2006 which establishes the basis on which the individual’s needs will be met by the home. Where necessary the home’s Statement of Purpose shall reflect any changes in service provision required for this arrangement. This condition may not apply to anyone else, other than the named individual, who falls outside the registered category. 17th January 2006 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: Ridgeway House is registered to accommodate up to 38 older people and 10 people with learning disabilities. It is not registered to accommodate persons who require continuous nursing care. Southern Cross Homes Proprieties Limited provides the home. It occupies a prominent location in Station Town, adjoining the main road, close to local amenities and with views over the surrounding countryside. It is a two-storey building situated in its own private, well-maintained grounds. Personal accommodation and communal space is located on both floors. The learning disability unit is separate to the older persons’ accommodation, but located within the main building. It has a separate entrance, but may also be entered from the older persons’ unit. Service areas such as kitchen and laundry are located on the ground floor. Personal accommodation and communal space are located on both floors. There are 38 single bedrooms on the older persons’ unit and 9 bedrooms on the unit for people with learning disabilities. These are all fairly spacious rooms. Twenty-four bedrooms have en suite toilets and wash hand basins. The weekly fees vary between £364.50 and £575. The fee covers all accommodation, meals and personal care. Hairdressing, toiletries, newspapers, plus services from private opticians, dentists and chiropodists are not included in the fee. The actual amount people pay will depend upon their individual circumstances. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This unannounced inspection took place over 4 hours. It included a tour of the building, examination of a number of records and discussions with 11 residents and 6 staff. Comments were also received from one service user via questionnaire and one relative via comment card. The overall quality rating for this care home is: ‘good’. This judgment has been made from evidence gathered both during and before the visit to this service. What the service does well: Residents said they were satisfied with the care and facilities provided. Typical comments included “I’m well looked after, the staff’s very good, nothing’s a problem; the food is nice, there’s a good choice; I have a nice bedroom; my healthcare needs are well attended to…I’m quite happy, we get well looked after; the food’s very good, the staff are very good, nothing’s any trouble to them; my bedroom’s fine; staff check on me during the night; the doctor or nurse will visit me here if I am unwell.” Positive comments were also received from the one relative who said: “Sometimes due to shortages, i.e. illness/holidays of staff, residents may have to wait a little longer for attention, but this doesn’t seem to happen very often. I have been very impressed with how things are dealt with, especially when sometimes ‘everything happens at once’. Also, there is very much a family atmosphere, with residents helping each other in various ways.” Residents said they get on well with the staff and would not hesitate to discuss any concerns or complaints with staff or management. They described a cheerful, happy environment. The home has lounges and dining rooms on each floor, which allow residents to meet in groups of various sizes for a number of social and recreational activities. The home is generally well maintained. Staffing levels and staff training are good. Over 50 of care staff members have completed National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) in care, at level 2 or above, which is a good achievement. There is a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Management are keen to receive comments from residents and others about the quality of service provided by the home. The service is well run and the information provided to residents and prospective service users is detailed and explicit. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 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. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.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 Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.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): 1, 2 and 3. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Prospective residents and their representatives have the information needed to choose a home that will meet their needs. They have their needs assessed and a contract which tells them about the service they will receive. EVIDENCE: Comments received from residents confirmed that full assessments of needs were carried out prior to admission to the home. They said there was enough information from which to make a choice about being admitted. As one resident said: “I have known many Ridgeway residents who came from my home village. Their recommendation (and of their family) assured me I would be well cared for.” A service user’s guide and statement of terms and conditions of residence are supplied routinely. These are helpful documents and the content is detailed and explicit. Care plans revealed comprehensive, detailed assessments of need being carried out both prior to admission and afterwards, as confirmed by members of staff and management. These Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 assessments showed that the home only admitted people whose assessed needs it could meet. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.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): 7, 8, 9 and 10. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The health and personal care, which a resident receives, is based on their individual needs. The principles of respect, dignity and privacy are put into practice. EVIDENCE: Residents said that they believed their health and social care needs were well known by staff and were being well met. They said that the community nurse or doctor would see them whenever required. Their personal and social care needs were known, understood and respected by the staff team. They said that they felt they were treated with respect and sensitivity. Typical comments included “I’m well looked after, the staff’s very good, nothing’s a problem; my healthcare needs are well attended to…I’m quite happy, we get well looked after; the staff are very good, nothing’s any trouble to them; staff check on me during the night; the doctor or nurse will visit me here if I am unwell.” This view was reflected in the relative’s comment: “I am satisfied with the overall care provided.” Care plans were detailed and comprehensive about service users’ health and social care needs, providing clear guidance to staff. They were subject to Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 regular review. This was particularly the case on the learning disabilities unit. Their service user plans of care addressed many of the issues involved in person centred planning, focusing on individual needs, interests and aspirations, in a holistic way, looking at the individual in relation to all his/her key relationships/influences. Staff training in care (for example, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) at levels 2 and 3) has included the important issues of privacy and dignity and over 50 of care staff have completed NVQ in care. There are good arrangements for the safe administration of medicines. All staff members responsible for medicines have completed Safe Handling of Medicines training. There is good support from a local Pharmacist who supplies most of the medication in monitored dosage blister packs. There are good storage systems and staff thoroughly check all medication when it is received into the home. The home requires medication to be administered only from the container(s) into which the pharmacist dispensed it originally. Medication is kept securely in lockable cabinets and trolleys. Residents may attend to their own medication, but in practice most prefer to delegate this responsibility to staff. Unwanted medicines are returned promptly to the Pharmacist. The home is careful not to stockpile large quantities. Senior staff confirmed that medicine audits are carried out routinely and that the local pharmacist provides consultation and advice. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.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): 12, 13, 14 and 15. Quality in this outcome area is adequate. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Residents have some limited choice about their lifestyle and social activity. They keep in contact with family and friends. Social, cultural and recreational activities normally go a long way towards meeting residents’ expectations. Residents receive a healthy, varied diet according to their assessed requirement and choice. EVIDENCE: Residents said they enjoyed living at the home and got on well with the staff. All described the staff as being kind and helpful. Typical comments included: “My needs are well taken care of…Being here gives my family peace of mind, now that I can no longer live on my own.” Some residents said that social and recreational activities had declined in recent weeks since the activities organizer left. The manager confirmed that this was the case and that the home was recruiting a new activities organizer. A full and varied programme had been provided until recently. On the learning disabilities unit, social, educational and recreational activities take place according to the assessed needs and interests of individual service users. Residents confirmed that they could choose how they spent their time in the home and were free not to join in activities and social events if they did not wish to. Residents and staff said that relatives and friends may visit at any Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 reasonable time and are always made welcome. Most residents said they liked the meals at the home. There was a good choice of menu and residents’ preferences were catered for wherever possible. As one resident said: “The food here is excellent and the staff are very nice”. Meals are served in attractive settings and staff were observed to give assistance where needed. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.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): 16 and 18. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Residents have access to a robust, effective complaints procedure and are protected from abuse. EVIDENCE: All residents said that they were confident about approaching staff and management about any concerns or complaints they might have. They described the staff and management as being very approachable, helpful and friendly. A written complaints procedure is provided in the statement of purpose and service user’s guide. The relative confirmed that she was aware of the home’s complaints procedure. Staff and management are aware of the need to safeguard adults from abuse and neglect and most have undergone training in these issues. They are aware of the home’s ‘whistle blowing’ policy, which encourages staff to speak out about any suspected abuse. All staff members have had enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks and Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) checks carried out as required by law. Also, two references are obtained in respect of each new employee, with special attention given to the last employment. This is to ensure that unsuitable people are not employed to care for vulnerable adults. Staff confirmed that new staff members go through induction and foundation training so that they have the right knowledge and skills to do their jobs competently. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 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 and 26. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The physical design and layout of the home enables residents to live in a safe, well-maintained and comfortable environment, which encourages independence. EVIDENCE: There were no unpleasant odours and the home was found to be clean in all the areas inspected. All care staff members have completed training in health and safety, fire safety, food hygiene and infection control. Residents said that they were pleased with the premises, finding them comfortable and homely as well as practical. They also described the home as being clean. The home is well maintained with repairs and servicing being carried out promptly and according to schedule. A new kitchen boiler has been installed recently. Since the last inspection, the new learning disabilities unit has become established. It has spacious rooms, its own entrance and lounge/dining/kitchen areas on both floors. Decorative standards are generally good throughout the home and there is an ongoing programme of redecoration and renewal of furnishings. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 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 and 30. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Staff in the home are trained, skilled and in sufficient numbers to fulfil the aims of the home and meet the changing needs of residents. EVIDENCE: On the day of inspection, there were 31 residents being accommodated on the older persons’ unit and 5 people on the learning disabilities unit. Residents said they got on well with staff and most felt that there were sufficient numbers of staff to meet their needs. This view was reflected in staff comments and in a written comment received from one relative: “Sometimes due to shortages, i.e. illness/holidays of staff, residents may have to wait a little longer for attention, but this doesn’t seem to happen very often. I have been very impressed with how things are dealt with, especially when sometimes ‘everything happens at once’. Also, there is very much a family atmosphere, with residents helping each other in various ways.” During the day on the learning disabilities unit (8am to 8 pm) there is one senior support worker plus one support worker on duty. At night, there is one support worker. On the older persons’ unit, there is one senior care assistant and 3 care assistants on duty during the day (8 am to 9 pm). At night, there is one senior care assistant and 2 care assistants on the older persons’ unit. The manager is full time, Monday to Friday. The home also employs a full time administrator and a full time maintenance officer. There are dedicated catering and domestic staff, deployed in sufficient numbers for the needs of the home. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 A comprehensive staff training and development programme is in operation, including Safe Handling of Medicines, Challenging Behaviour, Bedrail Use, Fire Safety, Care File Maintenance, First Aid, Moving and Handling and Food Hygiene. Staff confirmed that they had undergone induction and foundation training. Over 50 of care staff have completed National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) in care at either level 2 or 3. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 Management and Administration The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 38 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Service users live in a home which is run and managed by a person who is fit to be in charge, of good character and able to discharge his or her responsibilities fully. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of service users. Service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home. Service users’ financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s record keeping, policies and procedures. The health, safety and welfare of service users and staff are promoted and protected. The Commission considers Standards 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31, 33, 35, 36 and 38. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The management and administration of the home is based on openness and respect, has effective quality assurance systems developed by a qualified, competent manager. EVIDENCE: The newly appointed manager, Julie Bennett, is experienced, qualified and competent in her role. She will need to apply for registration in the near future. Until recently, the home has been well managed by Susan Hogg, Project Manager for the registered provider. There are good management arrangements in this home, with effective supervision and support of staff, including the subdivision of staff into teams, a key worker system for each resident, and senior staff heading up each shift. For example, the small learning disabilities unit is well run by a team leader and dedicated staff under the supervision of the home’s manager. Staff confirmed that they participate in Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 regular supervision sessions, as recorded in individual staff files. The manager has planned a full programme of staff supervision sessions for 2007. Good accounting procedures are followed, with receipts and signatures obtained for all financial transactions involving residents’ personal monies, in which the home is involved, wherever practicable. Relatives look after the personal monies of many residents. In those situations where the home looks after residents’ monies, such as personal allowances, clear individual records are maintained. Comments received from staff and management confirmed that there are good health and safety policies and practices that promote the health, safety and welfare of residents and staff. All staff members do refresher training in Health and Safety, such as moving and handling, fire safety and food hygiene. This helps reinforce the registered provider’s written policies on Health and Safety. Health and Safety issues are also discussed at regular staff meetings and in staff supervision sessions. Residents, one relative and staff expressed satisfaction with the way the home was run and the good standards that were evident in many instances. They felt the home was safe and run in the best interests of residents. For example, there is an annual survey of residents’ satisfaction carried out and the findings are reported within the home. The registered provider’s representative visits the home frequently to check on the welfare of residents and the progress of the home. Management routinely invite comments and suggestions for improvements from residents, staff and visitors to the home. Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 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 3 3 3 x x N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 3 10 3 11 x DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 2 13 2 14 3 15 3 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 2 x 3 x 3 3 x 3 Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 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 OP31 Regulation 8,9 and 10 16 (m) (n) Requirement The new manager must apply for registration with the Commission for Social Care Inspection. The registered person must develop the programme of social and recreational activities, ideally by the appointment of a dedicated activities organizer, to help promote the wellbeing and fulfilment of all the people who live in the home. Timescale for action 01/06/07 2. OP12 01/05/07 RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 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 Ridgeway House DS0000039753.V313467.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 - 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!