Inspection on 30/07/07 for Silver Birches

This inspection was carried out on 30th July 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 found there to be outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report but made no statutory requirements on the home.

Other inspections for this house

Silver Birches 01/09/06

Silver Birches 21/11/05

Silver Birches 07/06/05

Silver Birches 10/01/05

Silver Birches 10/08/04

Similar services:

Snydale Care Home

Abbey The

Larchfield Manor

Hawkhills

Beeches The - North Yorkshire County Council

The Grove Waltham

Carentan House

Ravensworth Lodge

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

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Silver Birches 70 Erringden Road Mytholmroyd Hebden Bridge West Yorkshire HX7 5AR Lead Inspector Lynda Jones Key Unannounced Inspection 30th July 2007 11:00 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 Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.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. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Silver Birches Address 70 Erringden Road Mytholmroyd Hebden Bridge West Yorkshire HX7 5AR 01422 882804 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) phurst@70silverbirches.fsnet.co.uk Mrs Marcia Hurst Mr Peter Hurst Mrs Marcia Hurst Care Home 10 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (10) of places Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 1st September 2006 Brief Description of the Service: Silver Birches is registered to provide personal care for ten older people. The house is in a quiet residential area of Mytholmroyd, off the main road but within easy reach of the main bus route and railway station. Shops and other local amenities are a short walk away. In the Statement of Purpose, which gives information about the home and is available on request from Silver Birches, it says that the home caters for people with low to medium dependency levels. Some people suffer from some short-term memory loss but, in most cases, physical frailty has been the reason why people have moved into the home, in the main most people need only minimal support from staff. Many of the people who live at Silver Birches are from the Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge area. Accommodation is provided in ten single bedrooms, six have en suite facilities. Bedrooms are at ground and first floor level. The bedrooms on the first floor can be accessed by a stair lift. On the ground floor there is a comfortably furnished lounge and adjoining conservatory, which overlooks the garden, the dining room is adjacent. The house is decorated and furnished to a high standard throughout. There is ramped access to the house and the well stocked garden. The proprietors live on the premises and, with other members of their extended family, they are very much involved in the day to day running of the business. The current charge is £420 per week. This includes all meals and accommodation. People pay extra for their hairdressing and for any personal newspapers or magazines. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The last inspection of the home took place on 1 September 2006. We have not made any visits since then. This inspection was carried out to assess the quality of care provided to people who live there. I carried out the inspection in one day and spent four hours in the home. During the visit, I spoke to some of the people who live there and the staff who were on duty. The owner of the home completed a self-assessment form and the information provided has been used in this report. Surveys were sent to the people who live there and to their relatives. We received comments back from four relatives and from five people who live there. The surveys provide an opportunity for people to share their views of the service with us. Information received in this way is shared with the home without identifying who has provided it. The comments received have been used in this report. What the service does well: Silver Birches is like a small, family owned hotel. Everyone is very friendly and they make visitors feel very welcome. The manager of the home is also one of the owners; she works there along with members of her extended family. The owners of the home (and their family pets) live on the premises. The home provides a very good standard of care. People have confidence in the service provided and said they were satisfied with the care and support they receive. People can follow their own routines and relatives and friends are welcome to visit at any time. People enjoy the food, they say there is plenty of variety on the menu, the staff are good cooks and they make sure the food looks appetising. Everyone is aware of the complaints procedure and they know what to do if they have any concerns. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 The home is furnished, decorated and maintained to a high standard throughout and people benefit from living in a homely and relaxed environment. We received the following comments from people who returned surveys: “I feel this home provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere, in clean and pleasant surroundings”. “they provide a homely, caring environment”. “Silver Birches is a very good home, the residents are well looked after and very well fed”. “staff are very friendly and polite & an effort is made to treat residents with respect and to meet their individual needs”. 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. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.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 Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.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): 1,2,3,5 (standard 6 does not apply) People who use the service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. People are given information about the home before they move in. They can visit and see for themselves whether the service suits them. Everyone is fully assessed before moving in, this makes sure that staff are confident that they can meet people’s needs. EVIDENCE: The Statement of Purpose and Service User Guide are available from the home. These documents give people a lot of information about the facilities and service that is offered. The Statement of Purpose says that the home caters for people with low to medium dependency levels. The people who completed the surveys said they had enough information about the home to decide if it was the right place for them to choose. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 Many of the people who live at Silver Birches are from Mytholmroyd and the surrounding area. Some said they chose to move into the home because they knew people who were already living there. The home relies on its good local reputation and personal recommendations. Everyone who completed a survey said they had a contract, this is important because it tells people about their rights and responsibilities and about those of the owners of the home. Individual records are kept for people living at the home. The records for one of the people who moved in recently showed that an assessment had been completed before she moved in. This means that the staff are sure they can meet people’s needs before they move in. Staff said they always encourage people to have a look round and meet other people who live there, although relatives sometimes do this. This gives people the opportunity to see the home and decide if it is suitable for them before they make any decision about moving in. The home does not provide intermediate care. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.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): 7,8,9,10 People who use the service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. People’s health and personal care needs are met and health care professionals are consulted when necessary. Personal support is given in a way that promotes and protects people’s privacy and dignity. EVIDENCE: Everyone has an individual care plan which is written in plain language and is easy to understand. The plans cover each person’s health, personal and social care needs. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 There is information about lifestyle, the sort of employment individuals have been involved in and about each person’s hobbies and interests. This helps staff to support people to continue to do things that they enjoy. Some very useful information has also been recorded about how people like to spend their time, and about their likes and dislikes in relation to food. This means that staff are able to assist people with their preferred routines and cater accordingly. Risk assessments are completed which show what staff need to do to make sure that risks are minimised and help ensure that the people using the service are kept safe. People’s health care needs are being met. There was evidence that GPs, district nurses and other health care providers were seeing people when necessary. Everyone who returned a survey said they always received the care and support that they need. Relatives also said that, in their opinion, people’s needs were being met. They said they were always informed about important issues, for example any accidents, hospital appointments or hospital admissions. They all said that the home provided the support and care that they expected. Medication practices in the home are safe. The local pharmacy provides medication in containers with people’s names on and full instructions for staff to refer to. The medication is securely kept. All staff have received training in the administration of medication. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.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): 12,13,14,15. People who use the service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. People choose how they want to spend their time and these choices are respected by staff. The menus offer plenty of choice; meals are of good quality and are enjoyed by everyone. EVIDENCE: There is a relaxed, family atmosphere at the home. Visitors said they are always made to feel very welcome. The manager of the home is also one of the owners; she works there along with members of her extended family. The owners of the home (and their family pets) live on the premises. People choose how they want to spend their time each day. Some people prefer to spend time in their room, others prefer to sit together in the lounge. The staff regularly call on people who are in their rooms, to offer drinks and to make sure everyone is alright and to ask if they need anything. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 We asked people whether any activities were arranged for them to take part in. Four people said “sometimes”, one person said “never”. One person qualified this by saying “I prefer to spend time in my room reading or watching TV”. Another person said “it would be nice to have a little live music, someone to sing or entertain perhaps”. When we asked relatives what they thought the home could improve on, one person said “possibly a few trips out for those who like it”. The manager says she is happy to arrange to take people out shopping or out for a drive if they want but, when she has asked, people have refused. Staff need to talk to people to find out if there is anything they would like to do. Meals are a seen as a social occasion, where the majority of people sit and eat together in the well-appointed dining room. Everyone said they really enjoyed the food. Meals were described as “good quality with plenty of variety and well cooked”. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.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. People who use the service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. The complaints procedure is well publicised and people are confident that any concerns will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. People are protected by the policies, procedures and practices in the home. EVIDENCE: The people who completed surveys said they knew about the complaints procedure and who to speak to if they were unhappy about anything. They also said the staff listen to them and act on what they say. The relatives who completed surveys said they knew how to complain and they knew who they would speak to if they had any concerns. No complaints have been received by the home. The home has an adult protection policy and staff have received adult protection training. They are aware of the procedure they need to follow if they felt there were any practices in the home that they felt were not in the best interests of the people living there. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.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): 19,20,24,25,26. People who use the service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. People live in a safe, clean and comfortable home that is well maintained. EVIDENCE: Silver Birches is a detached property set in a quiet residential area of Mytholmroyd, off the main road but within easy reach of the main bus route and railway station. Shops and other local amenities are a short walk away. There is ramped access to the house and the well stocked gardens. The gardens are well maintained and there is an outside sitting area for people to use in the good weather. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 There are ten single bedrooms at ground and first floor level. The bedrooms on the first floor can be accessed by a stair lift. Six have en suite facilities; the other bedrooms are near to toilets and bathrooms. People said they were very pleased with their rooms, they have everything in them that they need. They are large enough to accommodate a sitting area so that people can comfortably watch TV or entertain visitors. The home is spotlessly clean and free from any odours. All of the people living at the home said in their surveys that the home was always clean and fresh. There are pictures on the walls, lots of well tended plants and lots of books, newspapers and magazines around for everyone. The lounge and adjoining conservatory are both very comfortably furnished; most people say they like to sit in the conservatory because it is light and airy and opens out on to the garden. During the day, the home’s African Grey Parrot sits on a perch in the conservatory. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.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): 27,28,29,30. People who use the service experience adequate quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. There are enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. The manager must ensure that all new staff are checked properly to make sure that they are suitable and safe to work with older people. EVIDENCE: There are enough staff on duty at all times to meet the needs of the people living at the home. People who completed surveys said the staff were always available when they were needed. There are always two members of staff on duty until 9.30 pm. If anyone requires assistance during the night, a call bell system will alert the owners who live on premises. If anyone is ill, night time support can be provided. Recently, when one person was unwell and needed care throughout the night, the home responded by making sure additional staff were available so that this person’s needs could be met. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 Silver Birches is predominantly a family run business, there is not usually a great deal of staff turnover, however two new members of the team were recruited recently. Both started work at the home before satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau checks had been carried out to make sure that they were safe to work with older people. This means that people living at the home were not fully protected. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.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): 31,33,35,38. People who use the service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to the service. The home is well managed and it is run in the best interests of the people living there. Work practices promote the health, safety and welfare of people who live there. EVIDENCE: The owner/manager is experienced and is highly competent to run the home and meet its stated aims and objectives. She worked with older people for a number of years before Silver Birches was first registered in 1997. She has completed NVQ level 4 and the Registered Managers Award. She is always Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 available at the home, she is approachable and welcomes comment on the service provided. The home does not hold personal money on behalf of individuals. People usually get support from relatives to manage their finances. The home has a comprehensive set of policies and procedures which are regularly reviewed, and they have support from a specialist health and safety company which provides advice and annual inspection of related records. Fire alarms and emergency lighting are tested regularly and a full record of the servicing of fire safety equipment was available. The self assessment that was provided stated that regular maintenance and health and safety checks are completed at the home and risk assessments are in place which ensure the health and safety of the people living at the home is protected. One of the owners takes responsibility for maintenance and health and safety issues. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.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 X 3 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 3 13 3 14 3 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 X 18 3 4 4 X X X 4 4 4 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 2 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 X 3 X 3 X X 3 Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes 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 OP29 Regulation 19 Requirement All staff must be appropriately checked before they start work in the home. This is to make sure that people in the home are safe and looked after by suitable staff. (This requirement was first made on 1/9/06). Timescale for action 31/08/07 RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. 1 Refer to Standard OP12 Good Practice Recommendations People should be consulted about the sort of activities they want to take part in. Silver Birches DS0000001012.V342587.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 Commission for Social Care Inspection Brighouse Area Team First Floor St Pauls House 23 Park Square Leeds LS1 2ND 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 - 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. 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