Please wait

Please note that the information on this website is now out of date. It is planned that we will update and relaunch, but for now is of historical interest only and we suggest you visit cqc.org.uk

Inspection on 28/01/09 for Rookery Cottage

Also see our care home review for Rookery Cottage for more information

This inspection was carried out on 28th January 2009.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Good service.

The inspector found no outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report, but made 1 statutory requirements (actions the home must comply with) as a result of this inspection.

What follows are excerpts from this inspection report. For more information read the full report on the next tab.

What the care home does well

The admissions process is well managed, people`s needs are assessed and they are given good information to help them decide if Rookery Cottage is the right home for them. In a survey that was returned to us a relative commented "my mother is always fresh and clean and sprayed with her favourite perfume, a little thing makes a huge difference" A relative told us that staff are very vigilant in noticing any potential health issues and quickly take action where needed. People told us that the food was good. Menus appeared varied with a range of fresh vegetables. One person told us that the home "is very warm and comfortable. Everything is spotless." One person told us that the "Carers are all very friendly and helpful. They help in anyway they can." All of the care staff at the home have completed NVQ level three in care and forty five percent have completed their registered managers award. A staff member commented "The home is very well run and managed."

What has improved since the last inspection?

Peoples needs are fully assessed before they move into the home. Each person has an individual plan of care which contains good information about their needs and preferences. This information is reviewed daily and updated as required. There have been some improvements in how the home manages peoples medication. No evidence was seen of any breaches in data protection legislation.

What the care home could do better:

The current arrangements for the storage of controlled drugs at the home does not meet the latest requirements of the Misuse of Drugs Act Amendment 2007. The balance of tablets carried forward should be added to the number of new tablets received for "as required" medication to ensure that stock checks can be easily carried out. The home should ensure that people are offered regular a choice of leisure and social activities that meets their needs and preferences. Staff training should be reviewed to ensure that staff revive all the training necessaryto enable them to do their jobs in the right way.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Rookery Cottage 5 Church Way Thorpe Malsor Kettering Northants NN14 1JS     The quality rating for this care home is:   two star good service 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 assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. Lead inspector: Catherine Perrins     Date: 2 8 0 1 2 0 0 9 This is a report of an inspection where we looked at how well this care home is meeting the needs of people who use it. There is a summary of what we think this service does well, what they have improved on and, where it applies, what they need to do better. We use the national minimum standards to describe the outcomes that people should experience. National minimum standards are written by the Department of Health for each type of care service. After the summary there is more detail about our findings. The following table explains what you will see under each outcome area. Outcome area (for example Choice of home) These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. that people have said are important to them: They reflect the things This box tells you the outcomes that we will always inspect against when we do a key inspection. This box tells you any additional outcomes that we may inspect against when we do a key inspection. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: This box tells you our opinion of what we have looked at in this outcome area. We will say whether it is excellent, good, adequate or poor. Evidence: This box describes the information we used to come to our judgement. Copies of the National Minimum Standards – Care Homes for Older People can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or bought 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 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 Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 28 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2009) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). 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 CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. www.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 28 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Rookery Cottage 5 Church Way Thorpe Malsor Kettering Northants NN14 1JS 01536482776 01536482570 admin@rookerycottagecare.co.uk Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Mr Derek Arthur James Bass,Mrs Diane Bass care home 13 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 4 13 dementia old age, not falling within any other category Additional conditions: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home 0 0 Rookery Cottage is care home registered to accommodate up to thirteen older people and up to four residents with dementia. Rookery Cottage is owned by Mr and Mrs Bass, who live in the grounds. Rookery Cottage is located in a small village of Thorpe Malsor, near Kettering, Northamptonshire. The home is in the style of other properties within the village. Thorpe Malsor is a small village with no local facilities and Kettering town centre is a short drive away. Rookery Cottage is furnished with comfortable furniture and decorated to create a homely atmosphere. Bedrooms are located on the ground and first floor, which are accessible by a passenger lift or the stairs. There is a large lounge with dining area. Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 28 Brief description of the care home There is garden with a patio to the rear of the building. Car parking is also to the rear of the home. The Registered Managers office is located away from the home in a separate office. The current fees are 1916.25 pounds per month. The fees include personal care, accommodation, meals and laundry. Chiropody and hairdressing services can be arranged and are charged separately. Other costs would include personal expenditure such as clothing and toiletries. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 28 Summary This is an overview of what we found during the inspection. The quality rating for this care home is: Our judgement for each outcome: two star good service Choice of home Health and personal care Daily life and social activities Complaints and protection Environment Staffing Management and administration peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: The quality rating for this service is two star. This means the people who use this service experience good quality outcomes. This was an unannounced key inspection which means that we focused on the key national standards. The key standards are those considered by the Commission to have the most impact on outcomes for residents. As part of the preparation for this inspection a period of three hours were spent reviewing previous inspection reports the other information that CSCI has received about this service. Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 28 Surveyed were sent out to people who live at the home, their relatives and some of the staff who work at the home. Information from these surveys was used to help plan the inspection. Some comments have also been included in this report. The inspection visit lasted six hours during the morning and afternoon of a weekday. During the inspection three people were case tracked. This involves looking in detail at all aspects of their care and experiences at Rookery Cottage, including looking as their individual plans of care and other records, talking to them and talking to their care staff. A sample of staff files were also viewed as part of the inspection. The registered manager and deputy were present during this visit. What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: The current arrangements for the storage of controlled drugs at the home does not meet the latest requirements of the Misuse of Drugs Act Amendment 2007. The balance of tablets carried forward should be added to the number of new tablets received for as required medication to ensure that stock checks can be easily carried out. The home should ensure that people are offered regular a choice of leisure and social activities that meets their needs and preferences. Staff training should be reviewed to ensure that staff revive all the training necessary Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 28 to enable them to do their jobs in the right way. 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 4. The report of this inspection is available from our website www.csci.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning our order line –0870 240 7535. Care Homes for Older People Page 9 of 28 Details of our 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) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 28 Choice of home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People are confident that the care home can support them. This is because there is an accurate assessment of their needs that they, or people close to them, have been involved in. This tells the home all about them and the support they need. People who stay at the home only for intermediate care, have a clear assessment that includes a plan on what they hope for and want to achieve when they return home. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, or people close to them, have been able to visit the home and have got full, clear, accurate and up to date information about the home. If they decide to stay in the home they know about their rights and responsibilities because there is an easy to understand contract or statement of terms and conditions between them and the care home that includes how much they will pay and what the home provides for the money. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Peoples needs are fully assessed and they are given good information and advice so they can be confident that the home is right for them. Evidence: Before anyone moves into Rookery Cottage they have a full assessment to make sure the home is able to meet their needs. People are given comprehensive information about the home in the statement of purpose and service user guide which explain the services offered at the home and give people an idea of what it is like to live there. People are encouraged to visit before they move in, or, if they are unable to visit themselves a relative or friend may visit on their behalf. The deputy manager explained that he gives people information about advocacy agencies that can advise on funding and where they can access the homes latest report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection. This helps to make sure that Care Homes for Older People Page 11 of 28 Evidence: people have all the necessary information that they need to decide whether the home is right for them. When people move in they are given a contract which they, or their representative, sign. This ensures that they agree with the terms and conditions of their stay at Rookery Cottage. Care Homes for Older People Page 12 of 28 Health and personal care These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People’s health, personal and social care needs are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. If they take medicine, they manage it themselves if they can. If they cannot manage their medicine, the care home supports them with it, in a safe way. People’s right to privacy is respected and the support they get from staff is given in a way that maintains their dignity. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them feel comfortable and secure. They, and people close to them, are reassured that their death will be handled with sensitivity, dignity and respect, and take account of their spiritual and cultural wishes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Peoples are treated with dignity and their health and personal care needs are met. Evidence: Everyone who lives at Rookery Cottage has a comprehensive individual plan of care which contains their care plans; assessments of any risks to their health and safety, such as the risk of falling; details of health appointments and other information and correspondence relating to their health and social care. The deputy manager explained that he was planning to put peoples care records onto a computerised system which could be accessed by all relevant staff. Staff told us that the deputy manager attends the staff handover each day and then updates peoples care plans if any changes need to be made, for example if someones medication has changed or they have received feedback or advice from a health professional. Individual plans of care seen contain detailed information about peoples needs and preferences to ensure that staff care for people in the right way. For example whether people liked large or small portions at meal time, whether they Care Homes for Older People Page 13 of 28 Evidence: needed assistance with cosmetics and how their emotional well being should be supported. In a survey that was returned to us a relative commented my mother is always fresh and clean and sprayed with her favourite perfume, a little thing makes a huge difference. The deputy manager explained that, unless someone requests otherwise, a staff member always accompanies people on any health appointments or consultations. He stated that he ensures that health appointments are followed up to make sure that people get any results through and arrange follow up visits if required. A number of letters were seen within peoples files sent from the home to general practitioners and other professionals providing updates and passing on relevant information. The deputy manager said that the home has very good relationships with the local general practitioners. The deputy manager explained that everyone has had a thorough medication review within the last six months. A pharmacist visited the home and went through each persons medication with them explaining what each of their medications were for, and any potential side effects. A written report detailing this advice is was also left for the staff to help them have a better understanding of the medication that each person takes. A relative told us that staff are very vigilant in noticing any potential health issues and quickly take action where needed. Records show that people are encouraged to maintain good health for example by having flu vaccinations if they wish to, having their blood pressure and weight monitored and having regular appointments with opticians and podiatrists. Medication appears to be generally well managed with all entries on the medication administration record being signed appropriately. Staff told us that two people always administer the medication and a medication handover takes place at each staff change. This involves checking that all tablets have been administered and signed for. The majority of medication is dispensed to the home in sealed blister packs containing individual doses of medication for each person. A spot check of these showed all medication to be accounted for. Some people have additional medication that they only take when they need to, such as paracetamol. These are not dispensed in the sealed dose blister packs but in separate packets or bottles. Although the home record when and how many tablets are received from the pharmacy this is not added to the remaining balance making it difficult to carry out a stock check. Some people at the home are prescribed controlled drugs. Controlled drugs are prescribed medicines which some people abuse them by taking them when they have not been prescribed. There are laws and regulations about how these drugs should be stored and administered. The current arrangements for the storage of controlled drugs Care Homes for Older People Page 14 of 28 Evidence: at the home does not meet the latest requirements of the Misuse of Drugs Act Amendment 2007. Care Homes for Older People Page 15 of 28 Daily life and social activities These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: Each person is treated as an individual and the care home is responsive to his or her race, culture, religion, age, disability, gender and sexual orientation. They are part of their local community. The care home supports people to follow personal interests and activities. People are able to keep in touch with family, friends and representatives. They are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. People have nutritious and attractive meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The home has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and people enjoy a good quality of life. Evidence: The deputy manager told us that the home organises events throughout the year that for the people who live at the home and their relatives. Last summer they had a high tea, in the Autumn they joined in the village scarecrows event and at Christmas they had a Christmas meal at the local pub and then carol singers back at the home. Relatives spoken to told us that they valued the chance to meet other relatives at these events. Staff explained that they are given extra time each week to do activities with people such going out for walks, reminiscence or musical bingo. One member of staff has been helping people make tapestry kneelers for the local church. One person told us that she gets a newspaper each day and has regular visitors which makes the time go very quickly. Five people who live at the home returned surveys to us. Three said that the home Care Homes for Older People Page 16 of 28 Evidence: only sometimes arranges activities that they can take part in. People told us that the food was good. On the day of inspection lunch was stew and mixed vegetables with dumplings followed by sticky toffee muffins. Menus appeared to be varied with a range of fresh vegetables and vegetarian options available. The deputy manager explained that people had been consulted when devising the menus to ensure that peoples favourites were included. The home does not employ a cook and staff prepare the meals. The home has an allotment where some fresh vegetables have been grown. The deputy manager explained that he has as yet not been able to persuade any of the people who live at Rookery Cottage to help on the allotment but they have grown tomatoes on the patio. Care Homes for Older People Page 17 of 28 Complaints and protection These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: If people have concerns with their care, they or people close to them know how to complain. Any concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse and neglect and takes action to follow up any allegations. People’s legal rights are protected, including being able to vote in elections. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The home has a complaints procedure and people are aware of how to raise any concerns that they may have. Evidence: The home has a complaints procedure which tells people how to raise concerns. The procedure needs to include timescales so that if someone did want to complain they would know when they could expect a response. The home has not received any complaints since the last inspection but did have a number of compliments on file. Recent comments included (Rookery Cottage is) extended family that I can always rely on. I know mum is loved, cared for and warm, fed and nurtured. and Can I take this opportunity to say what excellent, loving care Gran receives. In surveys returned to people who live at the home and their relatives told us that they generally know who to speak to if they are not happy about anything. Staff spoken to also knew how to raise concerns. Care Homes for Older People Page 18 of 28 Environment These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People stay in a safe and well-maintained home that is homely, clean, pleasant and hygienic. People stay in a home that has enough space and facilities for them to lead the life they choose and to meet their needs. The home makes sure they have the right specialist equipment that encourages and promotes their independence. Their room feels like their own, it is comfortable and they feel safe when they use it. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Rookery Cottage provides people with a clean and comfortable home. Evidence: Rookery cottage is a period cottage within the village of Thorpe Malsor. It is clean and well maintained throughout. One person told us that the home is very warm and comfortable. Everything is spotless. There is a mixture of ground and first floor bedrooms, some single some twin. Bedrooms seen had been personalised with pictures and ornaments. Windows on the first floor did not have any restriction on how far they opened which could put people at risk of falling. The deputy manager said that he would look into having window opening restrictors fitted. A number of radiators were not fitted with radiator covers. Radiator covers can prevent people from being burnt by a hot radiator, particularly if they fall against it. Again the deputy manager said that he would look into getting these made. The home has a large lounge / dining room which was comfortable and homely. Double doors lead from the lounge onto a patio area which people told us that they sit out on in the summer. The deputy manager showed us the plans he has had drawn up Care Homes for Older People Page 19 of 28 Evidence: to extend the patio area and create a sensory garden. Care Homes for Older People Page 20 of 28 Staffing These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have safe and appropriate support as there are enough competent staff on duty at all times. They have confidence in the staff at the home because checks have been done to make sure that they are suitable to care for them. Their needs are met and they are cared for by staff who get the relevant training and support from their managers. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People are cared for by a competent and dedicated staff team. Evidence: One person told us that the Carers are all very friendly and helpful. They help in anyway they can. Records show that the recruitment process is well managed with new staff having all the relevant checks to make sure that they are suitable to work with older people. New staff have a twelve week induction which involves spending time with the manager and shadowing an experienced colleague. All of the care staff at the home have completed NVQ level three in care and forty five percent have completed their registered managers award. Staff also attend training in first aid, health and safety, counseling, dementia, food hygiene, moving and handling and infection control. Staff explained that they were working with the deputy manager to draw up a list of training that they required. Staff were observed chatting with the people who live at the home and their relatives and seemed to relate well to all. Care Homes for Older People Page 21 of 28 Care Homes for Older People Page 22 of 28 Management and administration These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have confidence in the care home because it is led and managed appropriately. People control their own money and choose how they spend it. If they or someone close to them cannot manage their money, it is managed by the care home in their best interests. The environment is safe for people and staff because appropriate health and safety practices are carried out. People get the right support from the care home because the manager runs it appropriately with an open approach that makes them feel valued and respected. The people staying at the home are safeguarded because it follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and ensures their staff understand the way things should be done. They get the right care because the staff are supervised and supported by their managers. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The home is well managed in the best interests of the people who live there. Evidence: The deputy manager showed a very good knowledge of peoples care needs. In a survey returned to us a staff member commented The home is very well run and managed. The home sends out annual questionaires to the people who live at the home and their relatives. The results of the surveys for April 2008 were viewed and were very positive. Comments included ....from the day I stepped inside on an ad-hoc visit ...I was sold! and I am totally at ease and completely confident that my mother is obtaining the best care available in this area. A file containing details of fire checks was viewed and up to date. Care Homes for Older People Page 23 of 28 Care Homes for Older People Page 24 of 28 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R 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, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Older People Page 25 of 28 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 Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes 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 9 13 The storage of medication must be reviewed to ensure that it complies with the latest requirements of the Misuse of Drugs Act Amendment 2007. This is necessary to ensure that all medication, including controlled drugs can be stored safely. 01/05/2009 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 9 The balance of tablets carried forward should be added to the number of new tablets received for all medication including as required medication to ensure that stock checks can be easily carried out. The home should ensure that people are offered regular a choice of leisure and social activities that meets their needs and preferences. Staff training should be reviewed to ensure that staff receive all the training necessary to enable them to do their jobs in the right way. Each staff member should have a Page 26 of 28 2 12 3 30 Care Homes for Older People training profile outlining the courses that they have done and courses required. All staff should receive training on the safeguarding of adults and the safe administration of medication. 4 38 The risk of people falling from upstairs windows should be assessed and necessary measures put in place to reduce this risk. The risk of people being burnt by radiators should be assessed and necessary measures put in place to reduce this risk. 5 38 Care Homes for Older People Page 27 of 28 Helpline: 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 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) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). 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 CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Older People Page 28 of 28 - 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!