Inspection on 16/12/08 for Stoneswood

This inspection was carried out on 16th December 2008.

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

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

Stoneswood 31/01/08

Stoneswood 27/06/06

Stoneswood 29/09/05

Stoneswood 25/04/05

Stoneswood 05/10/04

Stoneswood 19/05/04

Similar services:

Chirnside House

Keer Sands Residential Home

Ruskin Lodge

Bushell House

Langrigg House

Parkside

Dystlegh Grange

Thornton Lodge

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 20/03/2009.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Stoneswood Oldham Road Delph Oldham OL3 5EB     The quality rating for this care home is:   two star good service A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. Lead inspector: Steve Chick     Date: 1 6 1 2 2 0 0 8 This is a report of an inspection where we looked at how well this care home is meeting the needs of people who use it. There is a summary of what we think this service does well, what they have improved on and, where it applies, what they need to do better. We use the national minimum standards to describe the outcomes that people should experience. National minimum standards are written by the Department of Health for each type of care service. After the summary there is more detail about our findings. The following table explains what you will see under each outcome area. Outcome area (for example Choice of home) These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. that people have said are important to them: They reflect the things This box tells you the outcomes that we will always inspect against when we do a key inspection. This box tells you any additional outcomes that we may inspect against when we do a key inspection. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: This box tells you our opinion of what we have looked at in this outcome area. We will say whether it is excellent, good, adequate or poor. Evidence: This box describes the information we used to come to our judgement. Copies of the National Minimum Standards – Care Homes for Older People can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or bought from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to: • • • • Put the people who use social care first Improve services and stamp out bad practice Be an expert voice on social care Practise what we preach in our own organisation Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 27 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2009) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. www.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 27 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Stoneswood Oldham Road Delph Oldham OL3 5EB 01457874300 01457820089 stones.wood@zen.co.uk Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Northern Care Homes Limited Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs Valerie Campbell Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 dementia old age, not falling within any other category Additional conditions: The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home only - Code PC to service users of the following gender: Either whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Old age, not falling within any other category - Code OP Dementia - Code DE The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 28 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Stoneswood is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to 28 older people. It is owned by Northern Care Homes Limited, which is a private company. The home, which is a large Victorian building, stands in its own grounds in a semi-rural location on the outskirts of Delph, approximately six miles from Oldham Town Centre. There is a public transport link to Oldham. The home provides 22 single and three double bedrooms. The proprietors have chosen to use the double rooms as Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 27 care home 28 Over 65 0 28 28 0 Brief description of the care home singles, and use the remaining three registered places for day care. Accommodation for service users is provided on the ground and first floors of the building, with a passenger lift for ease of access. The basement area is used for storage and utility rooms. We were told the weekly fees as at December 2008 were 385 pounds. A copy of the service user guide is displayed in the reception area of the home, as is a copy of the most recent Inspection report. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 27 Summary This is an overview of what we found during the inspection. The quality rating for this care home is: Our judgement for each outcome: two star good service Choice of home Health and personal care Daily life and social activities Complaints and protection Environment Staffing Management and administration peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: The quality rating for this service is two star. This means the people who use this service experience good quality outcomes. We (the Commission for Social Care Inspection) undertook a key inspection, which included an unannounced visit to the home. This meant that no one at Stoneswood knew that the visit was going to take place. For the purpose of this inspection four residents were interviewed without any staff present, as was one visiting health care professional. Additionally discussions took place with the manager and three staff members were interviewed in private. Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 27 We also looked at information we have about how the service has managed any complaints, what the service has told us about things that have happened in the service, these are called notifications, and any relevant information from other organisations. Before the site visit, we asked for surveys to be given to some residents, and staff, asking what they thought about the care at the home. Three residents, and six staff returned their surveys to us. Some of the information from these surveys is included in the report. We also asked the management of the home to fill in a questionnaire, called an Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA). This is a legal requirement. The AQAA told us what they thought they did well, what they need to do better and what they have improved upon. Where appropriate, some of these comments have been included in the report. Information in the AQAA gave good evidence that the manager was continually looking at ways to improve the service for the benefit of the residents. We undertook a tour of the building and looked at a selection of residents and staff records as well as other documentation, including staff rotas, medication records and the complaints log. There had been one safeguarding issue of which we were aware since the last inspection. This had been satisfactorily resolved with the cooperation of the management team at Stoneswood. What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? 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 4. Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 27 The report of this inspection is available from our website www.csci.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning our order line –0870 240 7535. Care Homes for Older People Page 9 of 27 Details of our findings Contents Choice of home (standards 1 - 6) Health and personal care (standards 7 - 11) Daily life and social activities (standards 12 - 15) Complaints and protection (standards 16 - 18) Environment (standards 19 - 26) Staffing (standards 27 - 30) Management and administration (standards 31 - 38) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 27 Choice of home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People are confident that the care home can support them. This is because there is an accurate assessment of their needs that they, or people close to them, have been involved in. This tells the home all about them and the support they need. People who stay at the home only for intermediate care, have a clear assessment that includes a plan on what they hope for and want to achieve when they return home. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, or people close to them, have been able to visit the home and have got full, clear, accurate and up to date information about the home. If they decide to stay in the home they know about their rights and responsibilities because there is an easy to understand contract or statement of terms and conditions between them and the care home that includes how much they will pay and what the home provides for the money. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Residents needs are assessed before moving to the home to ensure that their needs can be appropriately met. Evidence: The manager told us in the AQAA that prospective residents receive an assessment undertaken by herself prior to admission. She said this assessed their needs, abilities, interests and spiritual needs. She also told us that, where possible, the resident and their representatives are involved to ensure the admission will be appropriate. All people who answered this question in the service user survey said that they had received a contract and that they had received enough information about the home before they moved in. One resident who we spoke to remembered that her daughter had come to have a look round the home before a decision was made to live there. Care Homes for Older People Page 11 of 27 Evidence: The manager also told us that a place would not be offered to anyone if she did not believe that their needs could be met at Stoneswood. A selection of residents files was looked at. All had a copy of an assessment which had been undertaken before admission to Stoneswood. These files also gave some evidence of the involvement of residents and relatives in that process. Stoneswood does not offer intermediate care. Care Homes for Older People Page 12 of 27 Health and personal care These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People’s health, personal and social care needs are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. If they take medicine, they manage it themselves if they can. If they cannot manage their medicine, the care home supports them with it, in a safe way. People’s right to privacy is respected and the support they get from staff is given in a way that maintains their dignity. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them feel comfortable and secure. They, and people close to them, are reassured that their death will be handled with sensitivity, dignity and respect, and take account of their spiritual and cultural wishes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Residents health, personal and social care needs are met by the consistent implementation of policies and procedures. Staff practices also serve to promote the dignity of the service users. Evidence: The manager told us that all residents have an individual care plan in addition to any care plan provided by the placing authority. She also told us that residents are encouraged to have direct involvement in the development of the plan. We looked at a selection of residents files. All had a written plan of care and there was written evidence that the plan was reviewed. Examples were seen where the resident or the the residents representative had signed to confirm their involvement in the process. An example was seen on one file, where there was an apparent delay between a possible concern being identified, in connection with weight loss, and effective Care Homes for Older People Page 13 of 27 Evidence: monitoring being implemented. Discussion with the manager indicated that this was a recording issue and that the resident was being appropriately monitored throughout the relevant period. Staff who were interviewed all expressed confidence in the various systems which were in place to keep them up to date with information about each residents circumstances. The systems included written records and a verbal handover at each shift change. All staff who returned a survey to us said that they always had up to date information on the residents. One staff member wrote, when asked what the home did well, excellent personal care and person centered care ... All residents who returned surveys to us, said they received the care and support they needed and that staff listened to them and acted on what they said. Residents who we spoke to during the visit, who expressed a view, were positive about the way their care needs were met. One resident said If you ask for anything they do their best to sort it out. This person also told us that staff were respectful and helped to maintain their dignity. Discussion with service users, visitors and staff, as well as observation during the visit, indicated that service users were treated with respect and had their dignity maintained. There were good records of contact between residents and health care professionals in the community. The manager told us that residents were given access to specialist medical, nursing, dental, pharmaceutical, chiropody and therapeutic services and that help was always sought from healthcare professionals when needed. Discussion with a visiting health care professional indicated that good professional relationships were maintained between local health services and the staff at Stoneswood. Medication presented as being appropriately stored. A selection of records relating to the administration of medication to residents was looked at and presented as being appropriately maintained. The manager told us that the medication procedures had been reviewed in October 2008. Care Homes for Older People Page 14 of 27 Daily life and social activities These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: Each person is treated as an individual and the care home is responsive to his or her race, culture, religion, age, disability, gender and sexual orientation. They are part of their local community. The care home supports people to follow personal interests and activities. People are able to keep in touch with family, friends and representatives. They are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. People have nutritious and attractive meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. An appropriate range of activities was available for residents to participate in if they wished, which would enhance their fulfilment and social stimulation. Visitors are welcome in the home to maintain community and family links for the benefit of residents. The provision of food to maintain ersidents health and well-being is good. Evidence: The manager told us that she had sought the views of residents in planning the daily routines and activities. An activities organiser had been employed who was beginning to build up relationships with residents. All residents who returned a survey to us said that there were activities in the home either always (1) or usually (2). At the time of this unannounced visit nine residents went out to see a pantomime. Events for December were advertised in the foyer which included entertainers coming to the home, a candlelit dinner and lunch at a local pub. Staff who were asked, expressed the view that a good range of activities was available. One staff member told us that extra staff being on in the morning meant that there was time to sit and talk to residents, and that the manager encouraged staff to do this. A record was kept of activities offered, including the names of people taking part. One Care Homes for Older People Page 15 of 27 Evidence: service user who was spoken to said if you dont want to do anything you are not forced to. The manager told us that maintaining links with family and friends was an important part of the care offered. All staff who were asked confirmed that people could visit at any reasonable time and expressed the view that visitors are made to feel welcome. Observation indicated that residents were able to choose where they spent their time. Staff who we spoke to said that residents were free to choose, for example, when to get up and go to bed. The manager told us that she believed mealtimes should be enjoyable, flexible and relaxed. At the time of this visit a choice of menu was available, which was prominently displayed in the dining room. One meal was sampled at this unannounced visit. It was pleasantly presented and tasty. All residents who returned a survey said that they liked the meals either always (2) or usually (1). Care Homes for Older People Page 16 of 27 Complaints and protection These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: If people have concerns with their care, they or people close to them know how to complain. Any concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse and neglect and takes action to follow up any allegations. People’s legal rights are protected, including being able to vote in elections. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Residents are protected from abuse or exploitation by the homes policies and practices and are confident that any complaints they may have would be dealt with appropriately. Evidence: Stoneswood has a written complaints procedure which has been found to be appropriate on previous visits and was not looked at on this occasion. All residents who returned a survey to us said that they knew who to speak to if they were unhappy and that they knew how to make a complaint. All staff who returned a survey to us said that they knew what to do in connection with any concerns expressed to them. All staff and visitors who were asked, were confident that any complaint would be listened to and dealt with appropriately. The manager kept a record of complaints received. This record indicated that appropriate investigation and action was undertaken in connection with complaints. The manager told us that all staff receive training in connection with the protection of vulnerable adults. Staff who were interviewed told us they were confident that residents were safe at Stoneswood. Staff also told us that they were aware of the whistleblowing procedures and the need to be vigilant to protect the interests of Care Homes for Older People Page 17 of 27 Evidence: vulnerable residents. Residents who were asked, said that they felt safe and that the staff are never rude or bullying. We are aware of one safeguarding issue which had been investigated since the previous key inspection. This had been satisfactorily resolved. Care Homes for Older People Page 18 of 27 Environment These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People stay in a safe and well-maintained home that is homely, clean, pleasant and hygienic. People stay in a home that has enough space and facilities for them to lead the life they choose and to meet their needs. The home makes sure they have the right specialist equipment that encourages and promotes their independence. Their room feels like their own, it is comfortable and they feel safe when they use it. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The home is appropriately maintained, decorated and cleaned to enable residents to live in a pleasant, safe and hygienic environment. Evidence: During this unannounced site visit a tour of the building was undertaken. This included communal areas and a selection of residents bedrooms. The building presented as being well maintained and the manager told us that the physical environment was subject to continuing maintenance to ensure the safety of the residents. There was evidence that residents were able to personalise their own bedrooms. Stoneswood is a large converted building set in spacious grounds. The owners have managed to maintain many of the buildings original features, particularly in the communal areas. While we were visiting, one resident spontaneously complimented the manager on the improvements made to the decor. Much of the grounds would be inaccessible to people who do not have very good mobility. However, the gardens were well maintained and there was a pleasant patio area with level access, meaning that people could benefit from sitting out in an attractive wooded hillside. Care Homes for Older People Page 19 of 27 Evidence: The whole building presented as being clean and tidy with no unpleasant odours. All residents who returned a survey to us said that the home was always fresh and clean. Staff who returned a survey to us commented that the home is kept very clean ... and ... nice clean environment ... . Visitors, staff and service users who were asked, said that this level of cleanliness was the usual state of the building. Care Homes for Older People Page 20 of 27 Staffing These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have safe and appropriate support as there are enough competent staff on duty at all times. They have confidence in the staff at the home because checks have been done to make sure that they are suitable to care for them. Their needs are met and they are cared for by staff who get the relevant training and support from their managers. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The numbers and skills mix of staff on duty promotes the independence and well-being of service users. Recruitment and vetting procedures are mostly effectively applied to minimise the risk to service users of inappropriate staff being employed. Evidence: The manager told us that four carers were on duty between 08:00 -- 15:00; three carers from 15:00 -- 22:00; two carers between 22:00 -- 07:00 and three carers between 07:00 and 08:00. In addition to these care hours, two housekeepers, a cook and maintenance men were employed as was an activities coordinator for two days per week. The manager provided copies of the staff Rota for the preceding month as additional evidence of these staffing levels. The manager told us that these staffing levels were appropriate given the dependency levels of the residents. All the returned staff surveys said there were enough staff either always or (3) or usually (3). Returned surveys from residents said that staff were available when needed either always (2) or usually (1). The manager told us that of the 17 permanent care workers ten held NVQ level 2 in care, or above. A small selection of staff files was looked at and copies of appropriate certificates to confirm that qualification were seen. There was documentary evidence Care Homes for Older People Page 21 of 27 Evidence: of other training being undertaken. Staff who we spoke to confirmed that training opportunities were available and staff were encouraged to take advantage of training. All staff who returned surveys to us confirmed that pre-employment checks were undertaken to confirm their suitability to work in a setting with vulnerable adults. A small selection of recruitment records for staff who had recently commenced work was looked at. These records generally gave good evidence that staff were appropriately vetted, although two examples were seen where it was difficult to establish the applicants full employment history. It did not appear that clarification of the employment history of the applicant had been effectively recorded. Observation during the visit indicated that the staff maintained appropriate relaxed relationships with the residents. One member of staff said, in response to being asked what the service does well, All staff are caring and kind towards the residents and each other ... . Another response to the same question included good teamwork. Nice friendly home with a homely atmosphere. Care Homes for Older People Page 22 of 27 Management and administration These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have confidence in the care home because it is led and managed appropriately. People control their own money and choose how they spend it. If they or someone close to them cannot manage their money, it is managed by the care home in their best interests. The environment is safe for people and staff because appropriate health and safety practices are carried out. People get the right support from the care home because the manager runs it appropriately with an open approach that makes them feel valued and respected. The people staying at the home are safeguarded because it follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and ensures their staff understand the way things should be done. They get the right care because the staff are supervised and supported by their managers. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The manager is competent to run the home and implement the health and safety procedures for the benefit of residents and staff. Evidence: A new manager had been appointed at Stoneswood since the last key inspection. She has had previous experience of managing a registered care home and holds the Registered Managers Award which is the recognised professional qualification for running a care home. At the time of this site visit we were processing her application for registration with the commission, which was successfully concluded by the time this report was written. Staff and service users reported positively on the managers open and approachable attitude. Comments included our manager is very friendly and easy to approach and very supportive if we need her. Care Homes for Older People Page 23 of 27 Evidence: The manager was able to discuss a range of different approaches to ensure that residents views on the service offered are heard. These include the introduction of a key worker system, the manager herself making sure she spends time with residents, regular meetings open to residents and relatives and the periodic sending out of questionnaires. Minutes of meetings were seen and there was evidence of questionnaires being distributed to relatives in June 2008. At the time of this visit the information in the returned questionnaires had not been extracted and reported on by the homes management team. A sample of records relating to money held by the care home on behalf of residents was looked at. These presented as being appropriately maintained including receipts for items or services purchased on behalf of the resident. The manager told us that safe working practices were maintained and that equipment had been serviced or tested at appropriate intervals. A small sample of records and certificates were looked at to confirm this. There was documentary evidence that the manager regularly audited records such as accidents and medication, to identify if any action was needed to make the home safer for residents and staff. Staff who were asked confirmed that personal protective equipment (such as disposable gloves and aprons) was available and always used to minimise the possibility of cross infection. Care Homes for Older People Page 24 of 27 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R Outstanding statutory requirements These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Older People Page 25 of 27 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 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 The manager shlould ensure that all necesary records are updated in a timely manner when the circumstances of a resident change. This is to ensure that all staff can make themselves aware of the current needs of each resident. The responsible person should ensure that all necessary steps are taken to minimise the possibility of employing unsuitable staff. This should include obtaining a full employment history, with dates, so that a satisfactory explanation for any gaps can be obtained and recorded. The Manager should use the information in returned questionnaires to inform a report identifying any plans to improve the services. This report should be made available to current and prospective residents. 2 29 3 33 Care Homes for Older People Page 26 of 27 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 27 of 27 - 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!