Inspection on 18/09/06 for St Albans House

This inspection was carried out on 18th September 2006.

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

St Albans House 24/09/08

St Albans House 06/12/05

St Albans House 03/08/05

St Albans House 06/12/04

St Albans House 18/06/04

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 St Albans House 12-13 The Grove Deal Kent CT14 9TL Lead Inspector Chris Randall Unannounced Inspection 18th September 2006 09:30 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 St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.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. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service St Albans House Address 12-13 The Grove Deal Kent CT14 9TL 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) 01304 374243 Deal Old People`s Housing Society Limited Deborah Kim Harris Care Home 19 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (19) of places St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 6th December 2005 Brief Description of the Service: St Albans House is a 19-bedded residential home for older people, set in a quiet residential area of Deal, and owned by a Charitable Housing Trust. Deal is a seaside town, which benefits from good amenities and public transport links. The town centre is approximately ½ mile from St Albans House. The home is set over three floors and comprises of spacious communal areas including lounges, a large dining room and a galley conservatory. All bedrooms are currently used for single occupancy, are well equipped, and thoughtfully decorated. There are large gardens and car parking to the rear and side of the home. The current fees for the service at the time of the visit range from £303 to £350.86 per week. Information on the Home’s services and the CSCI reports for prospective service users will be detailed in the Statement of Purpose and Service User Guide. The e-mail address of the home is john@wisedophs12thegrove.freeserve.co.uk St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This report is based on evidence gained from a pre-inspection questionnaire completed by the home; comment cards received from service users, families, and visiting professionals; and a site visit of 5 hours and 40 minutes to the home. The site visit included talking to service users, staff, and the manager; a tour of the building; inspection of records; and various observations. 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. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 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 St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7 Choice of Home The intended outcomes for Standards 1 – 6 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Prospective service users have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. Each service user has a written contract/ statement of terms and conditions with the home. No service user moves into the home without having had his/her needs assessed and been assured that these will be met. Service users and their representatives know that the home they enter will meet their needs. Prospective service users and their relatives and friends have an opportunity to visit and assess the quality, facilities and suitability of the home. Service users assessed and referred solely for intermediate care are helped to maximise their independence and return home. The Commission considers Standards 3 and 6 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Prospective service users receive sufficient information; have their needs assessed; are invited for a trial visit; and are issued with a contract/statement of terms and conditions, to help them make an informed decision about admission to the home. EVIDENCE: A copy of the homes Service user guide and statement of purpose given to service users on admission and they are issued with a contract/statement of terms and conditions. A thorough assessment is carried out for all prospective service users prior to admission, and joint assessments are obtained for all who are care managed. These assessments help the home to assess if they are able to fully meet the needs of the prospective service user. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8 Prospective service uses are encouraged to visit the home prior to admission to see the home and make a judgement as to whether the home is suitable for them, and what facilities are available. When they move into the home the first 4 weeks are also classed as a trial visit. The home offers the facility of respite care subject to the availability of a room, Day care services are also offered. Currently the home does not have any intermediate care beds. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 Health and Personal Care The intended outcomes for Standards 7 – 11 are: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The service user’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Service users’ health care needs are fully met. Service users, where appropriate, are responsible for their own medication, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Service users are assured that at the time of their death, staff will treat them and their family with care, sensitivity and respect. The Commission considers Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 7, 8, 9, & 10 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Service users can be confident that their health, personal and social care needs will be set out in their care plans; their health care needs will be met by the home supported by a multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals; their medication will be handled properly; their privacy will be respected; and they will be treated with dignity EVIDENCE: Each service user has a personal, individualised care plan including appropriate risk assessments and details of professional visits. All care plans are reviewed monthly. The staff supported by a multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals meet Service users health care needs. When asked if the home cared for them properly service users commented, “not half”, and “Yes they care for us”. Health Care Professionals, and the majority of service users and their visitors St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 surveyed confirmed that they are satisfied with the overall care provided to service users within the home. The home has appropriate medication policies. The receipt, administration, and disposal of drugs are thoroughly documented to allow for an audit trail; and the manager carries out a twice-yearly audit. Medication storage, although adequate at present, will be enhanced by the new medication room, which is almost complete. If service users who wish to self-administer their medication they have locked cupboards in their rooms and there is a weekly audit of their drugs. All staff who administer medication have done a 3 month Asset course in medication, and have been observed by the manager prior to being allowed to do a drug round unaccompanied. The administration of medication observed was handled sensitively.. The interaction between staff and service users is friendly but respectful. A service user commented, “They do treat me with dignity”. When asked about maintaining service users privacy and dignity staff commented, “we take them to their bedrooms for personal tasks, we comb their hair before they come out of their room”, and “we shut doors, give them choice, ask what they want” St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 Daily Life and Social Activities The intended outcomes for Standards 12 - 15 are: 12. 13. 14. 15. Service users find the lifestyle experienced in the home matches their expectations and preferences, and satisfies their social, cultural, religious and recreational interests and needs. Service users maintain contact with family/ friends/ representatives and the local community as they wish. Service users are helped to exercise choice and control over their lives. Service users receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing surroundings at times convenient to them. The Commission considers all of the above key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12, 13, 14, & 15 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The routine of daily life in the home meets service users social needs; they are encouraged to maintain contact with their family and friends; they are given choices in all aspects of their lives; and they receive a wholesome, balanced diet. EVIDENCE: Activities and entertainments in the home include visiting singers, bingo, staff sing-alongs, and twice-weekly discussions about over the contents of the newspaper. A church service is held weekly and this alternates between two denominations. There are occasional outings in a mini bus to the theatre or other venues. Service users commented, “We have people come to sing to us”, “I have been to the theatre and enjoyed that”, and “if you were here at Christmas you would not want to go back home, we are looked after very well”. The home has an annual fete and Christmas and Easter coffee mornings with the profits going towards service users entertainment. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 Contact with families and friends is encouraged. Service users commented, “My sister in Deal comes to visit, she is always offered a cup of tea”, “My daughter takes me to town and for walks in the wheelchair”, “There is always someone popping in, they are made welcome”, and “Debbie contacts my family for me, she always makes sure I have a card to send to my family for birthdays and Christmas”. A staff member commented, “There are no restrictions. We encourage visitors and offer them tea and biscuits in the lounge, bedroom, or garden, wherever they want to be”. Service users have choices in all aspects of their lives. Service users are encouraged to bring in some of their own furniture to personalise their bedrooms. When asked about choices a staff member commented, “They have choices in food, when to have a bath, where they want to be, clothes to wear”. Meals at the home are balanced, nutritious and attractively served. Pureed food is served in separate portions to resemble a ‘normal’ meal. Choices are given from the menu daily. A service user commented, “the cook comes round every day with the menu”. The majority of food served is home cooked from fresh ingredients. The home operates a four-week seasonal menu. Service users have the opportunity to discuss changes to the menu at quarterly residents meetings. The lunch served on the day of the inspection looked appetising and all service users appeared to enjoy what they had chosen. Service users commented, “They give me a lovely cup of coffee in the morning”, and “The food is quite alright for me”. A staff member commented, “I think the food is overall good”. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 16 - 18 are: 16. 17. 18. Service users and their relatives and friends are confident that their complaints will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. Service users’ legal rights are protected. Service users are protected from abuse. The Commission considers Standards 16 and 18 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 16, & 18 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Service users can be confident that their concerns will be taken seriously and acted upon; that their legal rights will be protected; and that they will be protected from abuse. EVIDENCE: The home has a clear complaints policy and a copy is on display in the hallway. If a complaint is not satisfactorily dealt with by the home the complainant is able to pursue it with the committee of trustees. The manager confirmed that if a relative expressed the wish to speak to her in private about concerns she would make arrangements for the office to be empty and available. There have been no official complaints recorded since the last inspection. One service user comment card stated, ‘I am completely satisfied with my home and everyone concerned’. Information about advocacy, and about the ombudsman is on display for any service user who might needs this service. Service users are protected from abuse. The manager and her deputy have attended adult protection training and courses are being arranged for the St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 remainder of the staff. No new staff member is employed without first being checked against the Protection of Vulnerable Adults register. Staff confirmed that they are aware of the abuse policy and the whistleblowing policy. One staff member commented, “I would report abuse straight to the manager”. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 19 – 26 are: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Service users live in a safe, well-maintained environment. Service users have access to safe and comfortable indoor and outdoor communal facilities. Service users have sufficient and suitable lavatories and washing facilities. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. Service users’ own rooms suit their needs. Service users live in safe, comfortable bedrooms with their own possessions around them. Service users live in safe, comfortable surroundings. The home is clean, pleasant and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 19 and 26 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, & 26 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Service users live in a home that is clean, comfortable, and well maintained, with bedrooms personalised to meet their needs. EVIDENCE: The home is well maintained. Since the last inspection 6 of the bedrooms have had new ceilings and the rooms have been painted; and there is now a new sleep in room/staff room. The grounds are tidy and are accessible to wheelchairs with seating available, and in the summer a pergola is erected to protect service users from the sun. The home has a lift to provide access to all floors. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 Communal rooms include a L shaped spacious lounge/dining area, with sufficient seating in the dining area to accommodate all service users. Leading from the lounge is a veranda/galley conservatory that is a popular seating area. One service user commented, “I like to sit on the veranda in the afternoons and watch people go by”. Furnishings and fittings in the communal rooms are domestic and suitable for the needs of the service users. There is a pay telephone for service users use, sited in the conservatory, and since the last inspection a new, larger, T.V. has been sited in the lounge. The home has sufficient bathing and toilet facilities to meet the needs of the service users including a new shower room, which has been provided since the last inspection. No service user bedrooms are fitted with en-suite toilet facilities but 4 rooms have been earmarked for these facilities to be fitted. Service users bedrooms are comfortable and personalised to individual choice. At present all of the rooms are used for single occupancy although two have been classed as double rooms. Service users are able to bring in items of their own furniture to further personalise these rooms. A service user commented, “The rooms are very nice, we have our own T.V. & everything”. Heating, lighting and ventilation are all appropriate and all radiators have been fitted with covers. The home is clean with no unpleasant odours. Sufficient infection control procedures are in place and the home has a washing machine fitted with infection control programmes. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27, 28, 29, & 30 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Service users are cared for by a sufficient number of well-trained staff; and they are protected by the homes recruitment procedures. EVIDENCE: There are adequate numbers of staff on duty at all times to meet the needs of the service users. 66.6 of care staff are currently trained to NVQ 2 or above. In addition one senior carer is undertaking her NVQ 3 and the other is about to start this training. Staff members commented, “the majority of staff are NVQ trained” and “I have done NVQ2 and am starting Level 3 next week”. The home’s recruitment practices are sound and no member of staff is employed until 2 satisfactory references have been received, an application has been made for an enhanced disclosure from the criminal records bureau, and a satisfactory check has been made of the Protection of Vulnerable Adults register. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 New staff receive thorough induction training. All staff are trained and up to date in the mandatory subjects. Staff who administer medication undertake an Asset course in Safe Handling of Medication and a staff member commented, “I am doing a medication course”. A course in care of the visually impaired is being arranged. Service user comments about staff included, “Xxx and xxx are fun, the staff are good you only have to ask and they are there”, and “The staff are very good”. General comments from staff included, “Most of the time its good team work”, and “ Its really nice, a good atmosphere”. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, & 38 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Service users are protected by good management practices and robust financial and accounting procedures. Their financial interests are safeguarded, and their health, safety and welfare is protected. EVIDENCE: The manager is suitably qualified and experienced to manage the home effectively. Her training background puts emphasis on ensuring her own and staff training is kept up to date and relevant. The manager is approachable and the atmosphere in the home is relaxed and friendly. A staff member St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 commented, “we get support from the manager through supervision, and she is available if we want her”. The home has developed its Quality Assurance systems since the last inspection. Questionnaires are circulated to service users, visitors, and visiting professionals, and an analysis of returns is completed. Staff surveys are also now ready to be distributed. The home has a 5-year development plan. Regular audits are carried out by or on behalf of the manager. Residents meetings are held quarterly and there are general staff meetings twice a year and care meetings quarterly. Formal supervision for care staff takes place every 2 months and records are kept of these sessions. The home is run by a charity with a board of Trustees, and any profits are ploughed back into the home. There are sound financial procedures and the home is financially viable. Service users, their families or their powers of attorney deal with their own money. The home only holds small amounts of petty cash, and these are all properly recorded and receipts are kept. Policies are reviewed annually and in light of changing legislation and good practice. The health safety and welfare of service users and staff are promoted and protected. Health & safety records and certificates are all current. Staff training in health and safety related subjects is up to date. The kitchen is clean and food preparation and storage is all in order. St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.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 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 3 18 3 3 3 3 X X 3 3 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? NO STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales. No. 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 St Albans House DS0000023276.V305443.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 Commission for Social Care Inspection Kent and Medway Area Office 11th Floor International House Dover Place Ashford Kent TN23 1HU National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk © This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. 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