Inspection on 12/01/09 for Syne Hills

This inspection was carried out on 12th January 2009.

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

The inspector found there to be outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report but made no statutory requirements on the home.

Other inspections for this house

Syne Hills 29/11/07

Syne Hills 01/08/06

Syne Hills 01/02/06

Syne Hills 18/07/05

Syne Hills 15/12/04

Syne Hills 17/05/04

Similar services:

Hillside

Applegarth

122 Scorer Street

Byars Care Home

St Marys Nursing Home

Jubilee Villa Care Home

Bramble Lodge

Parkmanor Residential Home

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 15/11/2009.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Syne Hills Syne Avenue Skegness Lincolnshire PE25 3DJ     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: Ken Hague     Date: 1 2 0 1 2 0 0 9 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 24 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.cqc.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 24 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Syne Hills Syne Avenue Skegness Lincolnshire PE25 3DJ 01754764329 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): info@synehills.co.uk Mrs Jean Sweeney Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mr Christopher Matthew Sweeney Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 learning disability old age, not falling within any other category Additional conditions: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Syne Hills care home is set in a quiet residential area of Skegness. It provides accommodation for 35 service users - 2 with a learning disability and 33 old age not falling within any other category. A dedicated intermediate care service is not provided by the home. The home is a large Victorian building set in extensive landscaped gardens, which leads to the sand dunes and the seafront. The home is a two-storey building with access to the second floor being provided by stairs and a passenger lift. Recently a ground floor extension has been added to be used for short term care. The home offers accommodation in 21 single rooms and seven double bedrooms. Public transport passes the care home. The home is close to shops, pubs and other local amenities. A car park is provided at the front of the care home. At the time of the inspection the home confirmed that the weekly fees ranged from #348 - #500 Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 24 care home 35 Over 65 0 33 2 0 Brief description of the care home depending on the residents assessed needs. Additional charges are made for services such as chiropody, hairdressing and toiletries. Information about these costs as well as the day-to-day operation of the home, including a copy of the last inspection report, can be found in the home?s statement of purpose and service user guide. These documents are available in the reception area. An additional copy is kept in the home?s office. These documents are made available to all new potential residents. The homes Website Address is www.synehills.co.uk Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 24 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: This key announced inspection took place on the 12th of January 2009 and the visit to the home was carried out over approximately 7 hours on one day. The care received by three residents was followed in detail. Four residents spoke about their experience of living at the home. One relative of a resident was interviewed.The inspectors read and discussed their individual care records with them. General house records including care records, staff records and policy and procedures were also looked at. Staff and the registered manager were spoken to and the care being provided was observed. Information already held by the commission was also used as part of the inspection process. Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 24 It is normal procedure to obtain written feedback from residents using a document called have your say. This document asks the residents to answer 12 questions, which seek their opinions about the services offered by the care home. At this key inspection seven documents were returned. The opinions of the residents were also sought in discussions held on the day of the site visit. These views are reflected within this report. The Registered manger supplied an AQAA (annual quality assurance assessment) prior to the site visit. This sets out the registered managers opinion on the quality of service provided by the home and is used as part of the overall assessment of the home. 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. The report of this inspection is available from our website www.cqc.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@cqc.org.uk or by telephoning our order line –0870 240 7535. Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 24 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 9 of 24 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. New residents receive a full assessment including a risk assessment prior to admission. This ensures that they identified needs of each resident can be met by the resources of the care home. Evidence: Care records for three residents were studied. They all contained a detailed assessment including a risk assessment carried out prior to the resident been admitted to the home. They were dated and signed by the assessor and the resident. The assessments identified the social and personal care needs of each resident. If a risk had been identified the management of that risk was recorded. Assessments were updated frequently for the first four weeks. The information obtained at assessments were transferred to care plans. Residents confirmed that they had been involved in the assessment. Staff stated that Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 24 Evidence: residents and family have involved in assessments and these are used as working documents. The care home does not offer a dedicated intermediate care service. Care Homes for Older People Page 11 of 24 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. Care plans instruct staff how to meet the identified needs of the residents safely using the resources of the care home. The health-care needs of residents are being met. Staff ensure the privacy and dignity of the residents is maintained. Evidence: Care plans were well written in a consistent manner using plain English. The individual residents file contained a common index which enabled information to be found quickly.staffs interviewed stated care plans are working documents which enable us to provide safe care. Care plans met the national minimum standards but could been improved in some areas with additional detail. Care plans set out the likes and dislikes of individual residents in respect of activities and diet. The guide is staff how individual personal care needs were to be met in a manner chosen by the resident. They reinforce that staff should preserve the dignity and privacy of individual residents. The care plans contained details of imports from community health care services and GPs. Visits to consultants and dental practitioners Care Homes for Older People Page 12 of 24 Evidence: were recorded. All care plans had been signed by the assessor and the resident they will been reviewed in accordance with national guidelines. Residents stated that they had been involved in the writing of the individual care plans. The registered manager stated that care plans are an important tool to ensure staff meet the needs of all residents. They are clearly working documents. Risk assessments were completed when any this was identified these were reviewed in line with national guidelines. If the new risk was identified a new risk assessment and risk management strategy was written. Care plans included a pen picture which allowed you to understand the personality of each individual resident. The photograph was included on all files taken with the residents permission Details of the current medication and medical history of each resident were recorded within their care plans.care records instructed staff for personal care should be provided to residents but reinforced the importance of ensuring the dignity and privacy of the residents has always maintained. In practice this included supervision of the resident while bathing, dressing and the personal selection of clothing. Staffs stated informal interviews how important it was to ensure that people are given space and privacy. The explain how they enabled residents to decide what clothes they wish to wear. Staff explained that some residents wish to be left alone when taking a bath but with a carer at hand to give emotional support. Staffs demonstrated a good understanding of maintaining the dignity and privacy residents. Care Homes for Older People Page 13 of 24 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. A wide range of activities is offered to residents which allows them to make a choice of the social activities. The dietary needs of the residents are being met. Residents are encouraged to maintain links with the family and community. Evidence: The home has a range of activities which offer choice to individual residents. A list of these activities was found in the AQAA and on notice boards within the home. Residents care plans contain details of the activities chosen by individual residents. The residents confirm that these activities to take place. Staff stated they do all they can to ensure activities are stimulating and varied. The have your say documents and conversations with a residents provided evidence that visitors are made welcome. The visiting policy is displayed in the foyer. Resident stated their family and friends comforted at any reasonable time would be offered a drink by the staffed and occasionally could share a meal with them. One residents daughter spoken to during the site visit confirmed that she was happy with visiting arrangements. Individual care plans contained details of the likes and dislikes of each individual Care Homes for Older People Page 14 of 24 Evidence: residents and their preference in terms of personal diet. The registered managers menu offers choice and a variable diet. Residents stated their satisfaction with the menu and quality of food in conversations and in the have your say document. A resident being case tracked stated the food here is very good and I am offered choices staff make sure that Im given the food which I enjoy. Care Homes for Older People Page 15 of 24 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. There are good systems in place to protect residents. staff feel comfortable and able to use the whistleblowing procedures Evidence: The home a complaints procedure which residents confirmed had been explained to them and the copy given to each resident. Residents stated they would feel happy unable to raise any concerns with a member of the staff. No complaints have been received by the care home orl the commission for social care inspection since the last key inspection. Staff training records provided evidence that staff have been trained in the recognition and protection or potential abuse. Staff confirmed that this training had taken place. Residents stated that they felt the home was a safe place in which to live. The registered manager has kept the commission for Social care inspection informed of any incident which affected the safety of the residents. There has been one adult protection inquiry since the last key inspection. This inquiry has been completed and the outcomes discussed with the managers of the care home. It was not necessary to take any legal action in relation to this incident. Care Homes for Older People Page 16 of 24 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. Residents live in a comfortable well maintained home. The health and safety and infection control procedure is being followed. Staff ensure residents are safe at all times. Evidence: The registered manager has an ongoing maintenance program and ensures that the home is maintained to the satisfaction of the residents. Since the last key inspection some areas are being decorated and several new carpets fitted. The home was clean throughout the inspection and smell fresh. The registered manager stated that the updated homes health and safety policy and infection control procedure is always followed. There have been no complaints or concerns raised with the commission for social care inspection all the home in relation to the environment since the last key inspection. Residents confirmed their satisfaction with the environment of the care home. A visitor stated that she was very happy with the home and the individual bedroom provided to her relative. Care Homes for Older People Page 17 of 24 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. Staff are recruited safely using the updated procedure of a care home. Staff are employed in sufficient numbers and with appropriate skills to ensure residents needs can be met Evidence: The registered manager described his detailed training plan which ensures that all of the staffs training requirements are identified through appraisals and supervision. Where addational skill training is required courses are identified for each member of staff. He confirmed that all staff are taking part in NVQ training, and that all new staff are provided with an induction. Staff confirmed this information be correct in the formal interviews.staff stated that they felt they had received sufficient training to be able to meet the needs of residents stay in the care home. A resident stated I believe the staff here are well-trained they always seem to know what they are doing Staff are being recruited safely using the updated recruitment procedure of the care home. The examination of the files for two new members of staff produced evidence that the recruitment procedure had been followed. The relevant documents required to be obtained before staff are offered employment were on each individual file. A current enhanced CRB check had been obtained prior to employment being offered. Care Homes for Older People Page 18 of 24 Evidence: There were no negative comments in relation to staff in found in any of the have your say documents completed by residents. One resident stated staff do listen to us if I am in doubt of anything I ask one of the senior staff. A relative spoken to during the site visit stated that I am happy with the services being provided by the care home and think that the staff here are very good. The registered manager produced documentation which provided evidence that all staff on involved in NVQ training. Staff interviewed confirmed they were individually been encouraged to take the NVQ training. The training plan provided evidence that esential corel training and specialist training is being offered to staff. Staff stated that they felt sufficient training is offered to all staff to ensure residents needs are being met. Care Homes for Older People Page 19 of 24 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 home has an experienced management team in place which is supported to staff and residents. Health and safety and infection control procedures are being followed. There are financial procedures in place to protect residents finances. Evidence: The home has a clear management structure which is known to all staff. The registered manager and deputy manager have worked for many years in the provision of care to older people. Staff stated that they find the managers of the home approachable and supportive. Resident stated that they could bring concerns to the notice of any member of staff or a manager at any time. The resident stated if I am unhappy the manager will put it right I have every confidence in the managers of this home. no management issues were identified during this inspection. The managers continue to keep us informed of any incidents which could impinge on the safety of residents. Care Homes for Older People Page 20 of 24 Evidence: The home gives out quality assurance questioners a sample were seen which contained only positive comments. The registered manager confirmed that the home has in place policies and procedure to protect residents finances. Staff stated that the vast majority of residents prefer to handle their own finances or their family do this on their behalf. The registered manager and deputy manager stated they were satisfied that where residents money was being held by the home financial procedures were being followed. Care Homes for Older People Page 21 of 24 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes R No £ 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 1 38 Reg 13 4 (a) Non prescribed medication or 29/11/2007 any substance which poses a risk to residents must be kept in a locked cupboard. This removes any risk of residents taking substance or medication by mistake. Action taken by manager on the day of site visit. Care Homes for Older People Page 22 of 24 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 Care Homes for Older People Page 23 of 24 Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 or Textphone: or Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.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 24 of 24 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. 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