Inspecting for better lives Random inspection report
Care homes for older people
Name: Address: Sandycroft Nursing Home 366-368 Lytham Road Blackpool Lancashire FY4 1DW The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: three star excellent 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. This is a report of a random inspection of this care home. A random inspection is a short, focussed inspection. Details of how to get other inspection reports for this care home, including the last key inspection report, can be found on the last page of this report. Lead inspector: Pauline Caulfield Date: 0 6 1 1 2 0 0 8 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Sandycroft Nursing Home 366-368 Lytham Road Blackpool Lancashire FY4 1DW 01253349400 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Taskers (Blackpool) Limited care home 37 Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 old age, not falling within any other category physical disability 0 2 Over 65 37 0 Conditions of registration: The service is registered for a maximum of 37 service users in the category OP (Old Age, not falling within any other category) Two named service users in the category PD (Physical Disability) who are below the age of 65 years may be accommodated within the maximum number of registered places. Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Sandycroft Nursing Home provides nursing and residential care for 37 service users over the age of 65 and two named people who under 65 years of age. The home is situated within a residential area of South Shore and is close to local amenities, the promenade and bus and tram routes are situated close-by. Accommodation within the home is situated on the ground, first and second floors in single and double rooms, some of these are en-suite. There is a Statement of Purpose/Service User Guide, which Care Homes for Older People
Page 2 of 10 is given to all prospective residents. This written information explains the care service that is offered, who the owners and staff are, and what the resident can expect if he or she decides to live at the home. Information received on 26/11/08 showed that the fees for care at the home are from 381.06 pounds to 493.97 pounds per week, with added expenses for: Hairdressing, transport to appointments and newspapers all at actual cost of item. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 10 What we found:
The quality rating for this service is 3 star. This means the people who use the service experience excellent quality outcomes. We carried out a random inspection on Sandycroft nursing home which has been rated as a 3 star home at the last key inspection in April 2007. We looked at all key standards on this random inspection to check that standards have not changed since the last key inspection and that Sandycroft is still providing excellent service. Service users are assessed, preferably in their home but sometimes in hospital so that staff are aware of their specific care needs and know they can meet these. Two residents spoken to said that a member of staff visited them in hospital before admission and told them about the home and asked them questions about their care needs. They also involved their relatives in the discussions. We case tracked two residents. They had detailed information. Care plans were in place for both residents and gave an accurate picture in most areas. One resident was fairly new to the home and the home was still collating information. However there was only limited information relating to the residents short term memory and state of mind. This resident was sometimes quite confused but there was only a little information in place relating to this. More information should have been in place to assist staff in caring for the resident. The other residents care plan had been regularly reviewed and the information in place was up to date. Residents and relatives (where appropriate) are involved in reviewing the care plans. There were individual daily records and professional visits information in place and accident forms where appropriate. Residents have access to appropriate health services and information was seen relating to particular health visits. One resident had records in the accident book relating to several falls. Records showed that the falls had been audited and discussed and action taken to reduce any further falls. Risks assessments are in place for all residents so any risks are reduced and managed appropriately. These included Nutritional, waterlowe, falls and moving and handling. Weight charts and fluid charts are in place and up to date and action is taken if needed. Medication management was satisfactory. Administration, storage and disposal of medication was seen and was accurate except for some gaps of signatures on some food supplements.The manager said this was because they were kept in the kitchen so they were accessible when needed but the medication administration record was in the medical room. We advised the manager to look at ways of ensuring these were consistently signed for. All controlled medication is appropriately stored, administered and signed for. Residents said staff were very kind and always polite. One resident spoken to said, The staff here are diamonds Another resident said, They will always make time to help you. We observed staff chatting pleasantly to residents as they went about their duties. Residents said there were activities offered and these are usually quite good. More Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 10 indoor activities including board games are planned. There are frequent trips out offered a mix of short and longer outings. Some residents enjoy making things for the summer and Christmas Fayres. The home has entertainers coming in regularly and a local nursery school are involved with the home benefitting the young children and residents in the home. Routines in the home are quite flexible and residents spoken to said that they can choose when they get up and go to bed and whether they want to join in activities. The lunchtime meal was observed. This looked hot and was well presented. Special diets are provided as needed. Relatives said they are always made welcome in the home and staff encourage people to visit with their friendliness. Residents spoken to said they know how to make a complaint but they didnt need to. The manager said there have been no complaints since the last inspection but that she goes round chatting to residents and relatives to check they are satisfied with the service. We toured the home and found the environment tidy, well maintained and homely. Residents said the home was very clean and comfortable and met their needs. The home was clean and fresh smelling in most areas despite several residents having frequent incontinence but there was a slight smell of urine in a small number of bedrooms. These were being regularly cleaned. One had just been cleaned before the inspection and it was clear that the manager was trying hard to keep evrywhere smelling fresh but this would benefit from further attention. There has been only a small staff turnover since the last key inspection, although the manager has only been in post for a few months. Having a stable staff team ensures that staff are familiar with residents and their care needs and residents know the people caring for them. The manager is well settled and staff spoken to felt she was supportive and approachable and worked well with other staff. Staff rotas showed sufficient staff on duty doing the inspection. Residents spoken to felt that there were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to provide care when they wanted it. The records of two members of staff were checked. Both applicants had an application form with a work history going back several years. However thes did not form a complete work history and one applicant had only the year of changes of employment, rather than the month and year. A complete working history from first job to the present job exploring any gaps should be in place. Both applicants had written references in place, although one reference was not dated and should be so it is clear when this was received. All other checks were in place. All staff had received a detailed induction. One member of staff said I had an induction but it was a long while ago. There was a lot of info such as moving and Handling and infection control. We have regular training updates. Staff are encouraged to work towards NVQ training once they have finished their induction and they are familiar with the home. Most staff are working towards or have completed National vocational qualifications (NVQ). These are national awards in care that enable staff to gain up to date skills and knowledge about current care practice. Staff said they had a lot of opportunities for training. They said they had recently completed Fire Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 10 training and Moving and handling and some staff are on an end of life staff training course. The manager Jane Lyth has been in post for almost a year. She has got to know the home, residents and staff and gradually implemented any changes and improvements with staff. Staff spoken to were complimentary about her management. One member of staff said Matron hasnt changed things just for the sake of it and she discusses things. Another added We get good training. Staff training ensuring the home remains safe is in place. The fire safety information is up to date. One member of staff said, We have fire and moving and handling training planned in a couple of weeks. This was reflected by the training information in place. Systems are in place for quality assurance. The home has retained the Investors in people award. There are regular staff meetings and residents meetings and issues discussed show changes have been made as a response to meetings. A member of staff said, We regularly have staff meetings and they are held at different times day and evening to give everyone a chance to attend. We observed safe moving and handling techniques using appropriate equipment and good care practices throughout the inspection. What the care home does well:
The residents in this home are well cared for. We observed staff interacting with residents. They were polite and friendly chatting as they went about their duties. Residents are given enough information about the home before admission so they can decide whether they want to live in the home. Staff meet residents to assess their care and support needs before deciding if the home can meet their needs effectively. Care plans are in place for all residents and have most information needed in place. All care plans are regularly reviewed with residents input and the information in place is up to date. Medication administration was satisfactory and most medication is managed well. There are regular activities in the home including entertainers and a daily exercise programme and residents said these are usually good. Routines in the home are quite flexible and residents spoken to said that they can choose when they get up and go to bed and whether they want to join in activities. Meals are varied and well presented. Special diets are provided as needed or requested. Residents feel they are listened to and any concerns acted upon. Staff recruitment is robust and safe in most areas and staff induction and training is good. This usually helps protect residents from people who should not work with vulnerable people and keeps staff skills and knowledge up to date. The manager is knowledgeable and keeps up to date with current practice. Staff said that she is supportive and approachable. Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 10 Systems are in place for quality assurance including investors in people to ensure care practice is up to date and effective. There are regular staff meeting and residents meetings and issues discussed are acted upon. What they could do better: If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 2. Care Homes for Older People Page 7 of 10 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R Outstanding statutory requirements These requirements were set at the last inspection. They may not have been looked at during this inspection, as a random inspection is short and focussed. The registered person must take the necessary action to comply with these requirements within the timescales set.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 10 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 29 19 There must be a complete 08/12/2008 work history including month and year of any changes of employment in place for all prospective staff. This is so staff experience is clear and detailed and any gaps in employment can be explored. 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 7 There should be detailed information relating to a residents short term memory loss and confusion. This will assist staff in caring for the resident more effectively. The manager should look at ways of ensuring that food supplements prescribed for individuals are consistently signed for so that it is clear they have received them. References for potential members of staff should be dated so that it is clear when they were received. 2 9 3 29 Care Homes for Older People Page 9 of 10 Reader Information
Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report CSCI General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Copies of the National Minimum Standards –Care Homes for Older People can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or got from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Helpline: Telephone: 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 10 of 10 - 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!
