Inspection on 26/04/07 for Rockdale House

This inspection was carried out on 26th April 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

Rockdale House 01/12/05

Rockdale House 11/05/05

Rockdale House 29/11/04

Rockdale House 10/05/04

Rockdale House 16/03/04

Rockdale House 29/12/03

Similar services:

The Shelley

Springfield House

Sutton Lodge Nursing Home

St Helier`s Residential Hotel

St Joseph`s

Ridgemount

Wingham Court

Old Hastings House

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

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Rockdale House Rockdale House Rockdale Road Sevenoaks Kent TN13 1JT Lead Inspector Ruth Burnham Key Unannounced Inspection 26th April 2007 10:00 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 Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.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. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Rockdale House Address Rockdale House Rockdale Road Sevenoaks Kent TN13 1JT 01732 454763 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) Rockdale Housing Association Limited Ms Gillian Frances Pitts Crick Care Home 34 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (34) of places Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. Care of one service user with EMI needs is restricted to one person whose date of birth is 05/05/06 1st December 2005 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: Rockdale House is run by the Rockdale Housing Association which was set up over fifty years ago with the aim of providing housing and care for older people in Sevenoaks. Within the grounds of Rockdale House there are 123 fully selfcontained flats for older people as well as the main house itself. Rockdale House provides accommodation, care and associated amenities for up to thirtyfour older people. The home has adopted a fair housing policy, and all applicants will be treated equally regardless of race, nationality, religion or sex. Rockdale House is a registered residential care home providing accommodation in 31 bed-sitting rooms for permanent residents and one short-stay room. Rockdale House is situated close to the centre of Sevenoaks and service users are easily able to access shops and local facilities. Planning is well underway by the Rockdale Housing Association to replace the existing home with a purpose built home within the existing grounds. The fees are £486 per week. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. During April 2007 a key inspection of Rockdale House was carried out. An unannounced site visit was undertaken on 26 April 2007 by one inspector as part of the inspection process. Surveys were sent out before the visit and responses were received from a number of residents, relatives, social and health care professionals. All of which were generally very positive. During the inspection 8 residents, 1 relative and 4 members of staff were spoken with, other staff and residents were seen around the home. The inspector was appreciative of the assistance given by the manager of the home throughout the inspection. The following responses to the survey are typical of the comments heard during the inspection process. Residents: ‘It’s absolutely super here’. ‘I thoroughly recommend this place, it is excellent for me’. ‘ Relatives: ‘The staffing ratio is good and the staff always have time for each residents needs.’ ‘The staff are gentle I can’t fault them and the management is first class.’ ‘Very competent, well trained staff. Compassionate and very caring of the requirements of the residents.’ ‘Friendly family atmosphere, very pleased with level of support given, first class quality of care, Home from home for the elderly, staff are excellent.’ Health professionals: ‘Good communication, professional approach, treat residents as individuals, attitude is tolerant and responsive. I am impressed.’ ‘They look after their residents very well and provide them with a warm friendly environment to live in’ ‘it is providing a good standard of care’ ‘Staff always appear very caring to their residents’ ‘Staff are keen to learn and knowledgeable’ ‘a very caring approach to all their residents, the home is clean, the atmosphere is good’. Care managers: ‘People who have moved into Rockdale have always been very happy with the service’. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 What the service does well: 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. The summary of this inspection report can be made available in other formats on request. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.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 Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 1–5 Quality in this outcome area is good. Good admission procedures and written information help people who are considering moving into the home to make an informed decision before choosing this home. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: People who are considering moving into the home are provided with an informative information pack. This contains a statement of purpose and service users guide. These documents inform people about what it is like to live in the home. Two people who had recently moved into the home and a relative were spoken with. They confirmed that they had received the information they required to make an informed choice about the home. Both have had the opportunity to experience what the home is like through short stays before making a final decision about moving in. They said that they had felt very welcome and had been impressed with the warm and friendly atmosphere. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 People who move into the home can be confident that their needs will be met. A thorough pre admission assessment is carried out to enable the manager, in consultation with people looking to move into the home, to make a judgement as to whether the home will be suitable for and can meet their needs. Arrangements are made for trial visits to enable people to experience what life is like and to meet staff and residents before making a decision to move in. Where people require additional, specialist support the manager ensures that this is provided. People are provided with clear information about their rights and responsibilities. A written contract is supplied to each person. One of the people who had recently moved in said that they had been very happy to sign the contract and staff had taken time to answer his questions and explain the content. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 7 – 11 Quality in this outcome area is excellent. People who live in the home can be confident they will receive and excellent standard of care and their health and personal needs will be met in a way that respects their privacy and dignity. They are protected from harm through good risk management systems. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: People who live in the home can be confident that their health and personal care needs will be met. Residents said how happy they are in the home. All those spoken to said they were satisfied with the care they receive and praised staff for the way in which they carry out their duties. When asked about how they felt about the care in the home phrases were used such as: ‘Nothing is too much trouble.’ ‘Its home from home here.’ ‘We are all treated as individuals.’ ‘ You couldn’t ask for better care.’ ‘The staff are so kind and helpful.’ ‘I can’t fault it’ and ‘the girls always come when I need them’. Staff confirmed that care plans contain enough information about each resident to Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 help them to understand their individual needs. Residents who were spoken to knew about their care plans and said their keyworkers talk it through with them regularly. People who live in the home confirmed that arrangements are made for them to see the chiropodist, doctors and other health care professionals when they need to. Those who need help to manage their medication are supported by trained staff and are protected by the homes’ policies and procedures for the safe storage and administration of medication. Many positive comments were received from health professionals who were contacted during the inspection. These included: ‘They look after their residents very well and provide them with a warm friendly environment to live in’. ‘It is providing a good standard of care’. ‘They look after their residents very well and provide them with a warm friendly environment to live in’. ‘Staff always appear very caring to their residents’. ‘A very caring approach to all their residents, the home is clean, the atmosphere is good’. All the residents spoken to confirmed that their privacy is respected and that staff knock on doors before entering, many residents prefer not to lock their doors and are happy with this arrangement. Observation of interaction between staff and residents throughout the visit confirmed that privacy and dignity is respected in the home. Confidential information is handled discreetly and sensitively. People who live in the home are protected from harm through good risk management systems, which include environmental risk assessments, these are incorporated into care plans and are reviewed and updated as needs change. It is the policy of the home to care for people who live there until death wherever possible, staff have received training in death and dying and support is available for relatives, friends and staff as appropriate through staff and management who are trained in bereavement and loss. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12 – 15 Quality in this outcome area is excellent. People who live in the home are encouraged and supported to live their lives as they choose. They are provided with opportunities to take part in a wide variety of activities. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: People who live in the home are supported to live their lives as they choose. Routines are flexible. Restrictions are kept to a minimum within a sound risk management framework. All residents spoken to confirm that they may choose how they wish to live their lives within the home. They spoke of the variety of activities on offer such as art, poetry, video club, music and exercise which they may choose to take part in if they wish. An art class was in progress in the dining room during the morning of the visit and the work produced was impressive. An exhibition of residents work was held last year and there are plans to repeat this. The home forms part of a wider community with sheltered accommodation on the same site. This increases the number and variety of social opportunities for residents. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 People who live in the home confirmed that they are consulted about any changes which may affect their day to day lives. There is a great deal of excitement at the moment about plans to build new premises in the grounds of the existing home, residents are being kept fully informed throughout the planning stages. They are encouraged to make comments and suggestions about all aspects of life in the home through regular meetings and day-to-day contact with staff and management. A relative commented that the home is always welcoming to visitors and that staff and management are helpful. Residents were unanimous in their praise for the high quality and variety of food provided and for the chef who asks them each morning what they would like to choose from the days menu. A recent survey had been carried out about meals, new dishes are being served at the suggestion of residents. The home takes particular care to ensure that food is nutritious and takes account of specialist dietary needs. The range of food available for those residents has been increased. The dining room is well laid out with tables attractively set. People who live in the home confirmed that they may take their meals in their rooms if they choose to do so. A number of residents like to go out to lunch in the town that close by to meet friends and relatives or simply to have a change of scene. They confirmed that they are free to come and go as they please. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 16 – 18 Quality in this outcome area is good. People who live in the home are listened to and their rights are upheld. They are protected from abuse. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: People who live in the home are free to offer comment or complaint. Those spoken to on the subject of complaints said, “There is nothing to complain about here”. “I can’t imagine having to complain about anything.” However they confirmed that they knew who to talk to if they were unhappy about anything and were confident that it would be dealt with. There is a clear complaints procedure, which residents, or anyone else may use if they wish. Staff provide support for residents who wish to take part in elections and arrange postal votes for those who require this service. People who live in the home are protected from any kind of abuse by clear policies and procedures, all staff are checked via the criminal records bureau prior to appointment and specific training about adult abuse is provided. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19 – 26 Quality in this outcome area is good. People who live in the home enjoy a homely, comfortable and safe environment. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: The location of the home is very convenient for the people who live there. Those who are able to can walk into the town centre. All areas of the home are accessible to residents with a passenger lift between floors. A warm and comfortable environment is created by regular maintenance and decoration and attention to detail. The people who live here particularly enjoy the wellkept grounds, these are lovely with view across a valley and a seating area designed to meet the needs of any resident who wishes to use it. One resident Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 has created a herb garden and planted lovely flowers along the terrace for all to enjoy. People who live in the home are protected by fire safety systems approved by the local fire service and facilities that are approved by the environmental health department. There are a variety of communal rooms which residents may choose to use, including a choice of lounges, a dining room and a room where visitors can be met in private, all these areas are well lit, bright, airy and furnished to a very good standard with the comfort of residents in mind. Call bells are located in bedrooms and other areas for residents to summon assistance when needed. Bedrooms are all single and are well furnished. People who move into the home are encouraged to personalise their rooms and to bring their own pieces of furniture into their bedrooms if they wish to help them to settle in. All residents have their own private bedrooms. They commented on the high standard of cleanliness around the home. People who live in the home can be confident that the design of the home is suitable to meet their needs, a report from an occupational therapist has been obtained which commends the home on it’s facilities. Specialist advice has been sought and acted on to make the home user friendly for people with a visual impairment. All areas of the home are easily accessible through the provision of ramps and a passenger lift, grab rails and other aids are also fitted wherever necessary to assist residents to move around the home independently. There is a very well equipped kitchen and laundry. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 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): 31 – 38 Quality in this outcome area is excellent. People who live in the home are very well supported and cared for by a committed, enthusiastic, well-trained and competent staff team. They are protected from harm through sound recruitment procedures. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: People who live in the home are very well supported by a caring, committed and enthusiastic staff team. Comments received about staff from relatives, healthcare professionals and residents were very complimentary. Health professionals who responded to surveys during the inspection process commented: ‘I am impressed by the ongoing training undertaken by care staff.’ ‘Staff are keen to learn and knowledgeable’. ‘Staff are polite and care well for residents needs’. Relatives comments included: ‘staff are very competent, well trained, compassionate and very caring of the requirements of the residents’. ‘staff are excellent’. All the residents spoken to and surveyed were very positive and warm in their praise of staff. It was clear during the inspection that staff know the residents well and have developed positive, supportive and warm relationships with each of them. The are sufficient staff on duty at all times to provide all necessary care to the people who live in the home in line with Department of Health guidelines. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 Residents can be confident that staff are well trained to provide care. There is a strong commitment to providing training and the support and encouragement given to staff who undertake national vocational training is impressive. People who live in the home are protected through sound recruitment and thorough selection procedures, thorough background checks on applicants are undertaken which include the taking up of 2 written references and carrying out criminal records bureau checks, staff files are available on site. Staff who were interviewed during the inspection confirmed that they had received a copy of the General Social Care Council’s code of contact and a statement of terms and conditions. Residents can be confident that new staff receive thorough induction training and learn how to provide appropriate care through shadowing experienced staff for a period of time before working on their own. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 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 – 38 Quality in this outcome area is excellent. The home is very well managed and run in the best interests of the people who live there. They are protected from harm through safe working practices. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: People who live in the home benefit from the dedication and experience of the well qualified manager who is supported by a strong management committee. The home is run in the best interests of the residents. Comments received from relatives, health care professionals and people living in the home both during and prior to the inspection praised the home for the excellent leadership and quality of care that is provided. There are effective quality assurance and quality monitoring systems, which include regular visits to the home by Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 committee members who consult with service users and report back to the management of the home and to the Commission on their findings. The views of people who live in the home are also sought through regular day to day contact and formal residents meetings. Health and care professionals who have regular contact with the home responded to the survey carried out prior to the inspection with very positive feedback as follows: ‘Very good quality of care,’ ‘Friendly family atmosphere,’ ‘People who have moved into Rockdale have always been very happy with the service’. ‘the management is first class’. Residents and staff said the manager was approachable and always willing to listen and provide support where needed. The effective quality assurance system takes account of the views of people who live in the home. This produces a report, which summarises quality reviews that are carried out in the home in consultation with residents. Adequate insurance cover protects people who visit and work in the home as well as the people who live there. All indications during the inspection are that residents’ best interests are being served and their security protected. Where the home has involvement in supporting resident’s to manage their finances they are protected through effective systems with good records maintained of all transactions carried out on their behalf. People who live in the home benefit from systems which ensure that all staff are well supervised through one to one contact and as a group via regular staff meetings. The interests and privacy of service users is promoted through the efficient maintenance of records in line with relevant regulations and standards. The health, safety and welfare of residents is promoted through safe working practices including training staff in moving and handling, basic food hygiene, fire safety, first aid and health and safety including infection control. People who live in the home are protected from harm through effective systems which ensure that all equipment and installations are safe. Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 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 3 3 N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 4 9 3 10 4 11 3 DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 4 13 4 14 3 15 4 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 3 18 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 4 28 3 29 3 30 4 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 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. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 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 Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 Commission for Social Care Inspection Maidstone Local Office The Oast Hermitage Court Hermitage Lane Maidstone ME16 9NT 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 Rockdale House DS0000024001.V334161.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. 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