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Please note that the information on this website is now out of date.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 26/07/07 for St Michael`s Care Home

Also see our care home review for St Michael`s Care Home for more information

This inspection was carried out on 26th 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 made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

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 home had a commitment to providing high quality person centred care. Residents were encouraged to maintain their independence, make choices and as far as possible retain control over all aspects of their daily lives. The home held a range of activities and social gatherings and residents had the opportunity to go on regular outings. A resident surveyed said "The home is good and well managed" and a relative surveyed considered that the home had a "warm, friendly and caring environment". The manager was described as "open and approachable". Staff were described as "very good, caring and helpful". Residents were generally very happy with the variety and quality of meals served. They described both the laundry service and the cleaning as "excellent". A number of staff surveyed considered that it was the best home that they had ever worked in.

What has improved since the last inspection?

The standard and presentation of food had improved with the introduction of a trolley with a Bain Marie. A new servery had been installed for the safety of staff. Despite the fact that there were plans to build a new home improvements were still being made to maintain standards of the environment. A number of areas of the home had been redecorated, a new communal toilet had been installed and two en-suite facilities created for residents` bedrooms. A new television and sound system had been installed in the dining room. A first aid kit had been placed on each floor and a new staff room had been created.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE St Michael`s Care Home Marine Parade East Clacton on Sea Essex CO15 6JW Lead Inspector Francesca Halliday Key Unannounced Inspection 26th July 2007 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 Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.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 Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service St Michael`s Care Home Address Marine Parade East Clacton on Sea Essex CO15 6JW 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) 01255 423688 01255 423594 stmichaels.care@btconnect.com The Sisters of Mercy of the Union of Great Britain Mrs Angela Pearl Barton Care Home 35 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (35) of places St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. Persons of either sex, aged 65 years and over, who require care by reason of old age only (not to exceed 35 persons) 15th August 2006 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: St Michael’s provides residential care for up to 35 older people. The home is situated on the sea front at Clacton on Sea and is close to local shops and amenities. The building is a large property spread over three floors. There are gardens and terraced areas around the property with views over the sea. There is an attached car park for visitors plus ample roadside parking nearby. St Michael’s is owned by the Sisters of Mercy of the Union of Great Britain. There is a convent adjacent to the home. The chapel is shared by the convent and the home and is also open to people from the local community. The fees at the time of inspection in July 2007 ranged from £405 to £470. The higher fees being for high dependency, a larger room, or a room with en-suite and sea views. St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This unannounced inspection visit took place on 25th July 2007. Throughout this report the term resident is used to refer to people who live in the home. The registered manager was present throughout the inspection. A number of residents and a few members of staff were spoken with during the inspection. Thirteen surveys were received from residents, five from relatives and eleven from staff. Parts of the premises and a sample of records were inspected. A feasibility study was being undertaken to look into the possibility of building a new purpose built home on the adjacent plot of St Michael’s Care Home, as the current home was expensive to maintain. Residents had been informed of the proposals. Planning permission had not been sought at the time of inspection. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? The standard and presentation of food had improved with the introduction of a trolley with a Bain Marie. A new servery had been installed for the safety of staff. Despite the fact that there were plans to build a new home improvements were still being made to maintain standards of the environment. A number of areas of the home had been redecorated, a new communal toilet had been installed and two en-suite facilities created for residents’ bedrooms. A new television and sound system had been installed in the dining room. A first aid kit had been placed on each floor and a new staff room had been created. St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 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. St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.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 St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.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): Standard 3 (standard 6 not applicable) Quality in this outcome area is good. Prospective residents can expect to have an assessment and assurances that their needs can be met prior to entering the home. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: Residents had a pre-admission assessment prior to being admitted. The assessments sampled were generally of a good standard. This information was usually supplemented by a social services assessment. Prospective residents and their families were encouraged to visit and spend time at the home, discussing their needs, before making a decision about admission. One resident surveyed said that they had “visited for a week” before making a decision to stay. St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Standards 7, 8, 9, 10 Quality in this outcome area is good. Residents receive person centred care and documentation is being developed to reflect this. Medicines management is being reviewed in order to improve the safety for residents. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: The majority of residents spoken with and surveyed were very satisfied with the standards of care and said that they received the care and support they needed. It was evident from discussions with residents that staff did try to provide person centred care. They confirmed that staff respected their privacy and dignity whilst providing care. One resident described the care staff as “very good, very caring and helpful”. A relative surveyed said that management and staff had “done everything they can to ensure her safety and welfare is catered for”. The care documentation needed to be developed and made more person centred and expanded to cover residents’ abilities and preferences and as well as their physical and psychological health and care needs. Some of the daily care records contained adequate detail others were St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 less informative. Risk assessments needed to be developed. Following the inspection two excellent examples of person centred care plans and risk assessments were sent to the commission. The manager confirmed that all the care documentation would be updated using the new format. The support from local GP practices was reported by both staff and residents to be variable. Staff reported that they had excellent liaison with the Residential Care Team who provided both support and training. Community nurses visited the home every day to see residents who needed nursing input. There was evidence that residents were referred for hospital consultations and treatment when appropriate. Some staff considered that communication and the passing on of messages within the home could be improved. One relative agreed and said “Communication between residents and staff is rather lax, messages and requests are often not followed up or get through”. The manager said that communication would be emphasised at staff meetings. A number of residents were self-medicating and said that they wished to retain their independence for as long as possible. They confirmed that their medicines were kept in a locked drawer in their rooms. An example of a good risk assessment for residents who were self-medicating was sent to the commission following the inspection. It was not always possible to audit medicines accurately as balances from the previous month had not always been recorded on the Medicine Administration Record (MAR). In order to provide clarity staff were advised to record the brought forward balance and to circle the start of the new supply on the MAR in a red pen. It was not possible to audit the homely remedies due to the recording systems used and the manager said that the use of homely remedies would be discontinued following the inspection. The temperature of the room where the majority of medicines were stored was being monitored. Staff were advised to monitor the temperature at the hottest time of the day and to also monitor the other room where additional medicines were stored. Staff were reminded that they must take action if the medicines fridge temperature was recorded as outside the safe range of 2-8c. According to the Medicine Administration Records (MAR) a number of prescribed medicines were out of stock or not available for residents, from a few days to over a month. Staff said that this was in part a problem with the procedures followed by the GPs and the pharmacist. However, senior carers did not appear to be bringing this to the attention of the manager so that prompt action could be taken. The manager said that she would arrange meetings with the GP practices and dispensing pharmacist to try and resolve these issues. Some medicines with a limited shelf life on opening had a date of opening recorded but not others. One medicine was noted to be incorrectly stored in the cupboard rather than the fridge. Some medicines were left on the side in a St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 staff room for a number of hours and not locked up. A number of medicines were prescribed “as directed” with no instructions on the MAR and with others it stated “none supplied this month” and the medicines were not being given. The manager was advised to ask the GPs for clear instructions for all “as required” medicines and to request that medicines no longer required be removed from the MAR. When a variable dose had been prescribed the records were often not clear as to the actual dose administered. Some medicines were not being given as prescribed. For example a cream had been prescribed to be given 5 times a day but was only recorded as having been given 3 times on a number of days. Receipt of Controlled Drugs (CDs) was not being signed for appropriately in the CD register. The balance of CDs was checked and found to be correct. The manager confirmed that all staff who administered medicines would receive additional training and that regular audits would be carried out. St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.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): Standards 12, 13, 14, 15 Quality in this outcome area is good. Residents benefit from a range of activities and from good links to the local community. The nutritional needs of residents are met. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: A monthly activities programme was available and carers were involved in providing some of the activities. The manager said that she was considering identifying a person to co-ordinate activities in the home. The majority of residents surveyed said that there were always activities that they could take part in. The activities included crafts, reminiscence, bingo, quizzes, bowls, music, games, films, a knitting circle and social sessions. The home had close links with the convent and many of the residents who were nuns attended the daily services in the chapel. The home had very good links with the local community, a number of whom attended the chapel. The convent had a resident priest who provided support to residents when needed. The home has considerable support and input into activities and outings from members of the local Help the Aged society. Residents who wished to were regularly assisted St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 to access the home’s computer. This enabled them to keep in touch with friends and family. A session of movement to music was held every week and the manager confirmed that the person leading the session had received training. Regular outings were arranged using the home’s mini bus for transport. Residents said that they had particularly enjoyed recent visits to the beach hut. A record was made of those who had attended in order that all residents were offered a chance to go. Outside entertainments were also arranged periodically. The home had held a strawberry fair and was planning to hold a barbecue soon. Firms selling shoes and clothes visited so that residents could shop in the home if they wished. A volunteer ran the home’s tuck shop with the assistance of the clerk. Items such as toiletries, cards and sweets were stocked. The home was in the process of creating a games room at the time of inspection. A number of residents were very independent and went on holidays and on day trips from the home. There was evidence that staff respected residents’ choices and encouraged them to be as independent as possible. One resident described the home as “easy going”. Another said “there’s no pressure of time”. Residents surveyed and spoken with were generally very satisfied with the standard of food available. One described it as “very good”. They confirmed that the home had choices at all mealtimes and offered alternatives if they didn’t like what was on the menu. There was evidence from surveys carried out at the home that residents’ satisfaction with the menu and food served had improved over the past year. The home had a four week menu and the manager said that they would be reviewing the menu in the near future. Although one relative considered that the home could still improve “the cooking, preparation and variety of meals … for the frail and very elderly”. The home had purchased a heated trolley with a Bain Marie and this had improved the quality and temperature of meals served. The lunch period had also been extended and residents could start the meal anytime from 12:30 to 13:15 and additional staff had been allocated to assist residents at mealtimes. The manager said that there were also plans to refurbish the ground floor refreshment room. St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.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): Standards 16, 18 Quality in this outcome area is good. Residents have concerns addressed very promptly. Staff training has improved their ability to recognise and prevent abuse. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: One relative surveyed said “I have nothing but praise for the manager. She is always happy to talk over any problems that may occur”. There was evidence that complaints had been investigated and appropriate action taken when necessary. The majority of staff had received Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) training and were due an update. The update had been postponed, as the trainer was unable to visit on the day booked. The manager said that it would be rebooked as soon as possible after the inspection. There was evidence that the manager reinforced the training by discussing the types of poor care that could constitute abuse during staff meetings. The manager said that staff received a copy of the whistle blowing policy and the Essex County Council POVA guidelines. St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.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): Standards 19, 26 Quality in this outcome area is good. Residents benefit from a well maintained and clean environment. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: A number of improvements had been made to the premises since the last inspection. One communal toilet had been refurbished and another one created. The lounge had been redecorated and a new carpet laid. A number of bedrooms had been redecorated and two new en-suite facilities for residents’ bedrooms had been created. The residents’ rooms seen showed a high level of personalisation. The home was very clean and there were no unpleasant odours. Residents were very complimentary about the quality of cleaning in the home. Residents surveyed said that the home was “always fresh and clean”. One resident said “it’s second to none where cleaning is concerned”. They also reported that there was an excellent laundry service. St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 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): Standards 27, 28, 29, 30 Quality in this outcome area is good. Staff are appropriately trained and in such numbers as to meet residents’ needs. Recruitment procedures protect residents in the home. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: The care staff levels were satisfactory for the number and dependency of residents in the home. The manager and deputy manager were supernumerary to the allocation of care staff. Management cover at the weekends had been improved in response to feedback from residents. The home had an excellent range of support staff. There was evidence of sound recruitment procedures in place and the manager was in the process of organising the personnel files. The checks included Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and POVA list checks. The majority of care staff had completed National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 2 and ten had achieved NVQ at level 3 or equivalent. The manager was aware of staff training needs and organised training on a regular basis. As the home had a few residents with Parkinson’s disease the manager had downloaded information from the Parkinson’s disease society website and was arranging for staff to receive additional training. St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 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): Standards 31, 33, 35, 38 Quality in this outcome area is good. Residents benefit from a well managed home that is run in their best interests. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: The registered manager had considerable management experience. She had been an NVQ assessor and internal verifier. She had completed the Registered Managers Award (RMA) and had previously been an assessor for the RMA. The deputy manager was also studying for the RMA. There was an open and positive atmosphere in the home. The manager provided clear leadership and was promoting resident centred care and services. The manager said that she tried to see all the residents on a regular St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 basis and encouraged them to share any concerns and make suggestions. Residents’ meeting were held every two months. One resident said “you can make suggestions and the manager takes action”. A relative surveyed said that staff at the home were “always looking at ways to improve things”. The manager said that she was planning to adapt the residents’ newsletter and send copies to relatives. Residents were surveyed by the home in April 2007 and there was evidence that action had been taken to address the issues raised. The home had a quality assurance programme. Regular surveys were carried out and an analysis was made. The manager said that she was planning to develop the quality assurance programme with a number of audits to monitor the quality of services and care in the home. A number of residents looked after their own finances. The home looked after the personal monies for about ten residents. Separate records had been set up since the last inspection and their money was kept in separate plastic pockets. All receipts and invoices were kept. The manager audited the monies regularly and signed that they were correct. The home had systems in place to ensure that all equipment had regular servicing and maintenance. Fire and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) risk assessments had been completed. The manager said that the last fire inspection had not raised any issues of concern and the fire officer had been satisfied with the risk assessment completed. Fire drills and alarm tests had been held and there were systems to ensure the safety of the water. St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 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 X X 3 X X N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 2 10 3 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 3 14 4 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 X 18 3 3 X X X X X X 4 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 4 3 X 3 X X 3 St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 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. 1. OP7 13(2) Staff must ensure that all medicines are accurately recorded in order to be able to check that residents have received all their prescribed medicines. The systems for ordering must be reviewed in order that residents do not have breaks in their prescribed medicines. 26/07/07 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 OP8 Good Practice Recommendations Staff should ensure that communication is given a high priority so that residents’ and relatives’ messages are passed on promptly. St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 Commission for Social Care Inspection Colchester Local Office 1st Floor, Fairfax House Causton Road Colchester Essex CO1 1RJ 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 St Michael`s Care Home DS0000015327.V347052.R02.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 - 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!