Inspection on 27/09/05 for The Fields

This inspection was carried out on 27th September 2005.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Good. The way we rate inspection reports is consistent for all houses, though please be aware that this may be different from an official CSCI judgement.

The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

Other inspections for this house

The Fields 27/09/07

The Fields 25/05/06

The Fields 27/04/05

The Fields 18/11/04

The Fields 02/06/04

Similar services:

Turret Villa Retirement Home

Moor House

Mendip House

Beaconsfield Court Care Home

Little Sisters Of The Poor

Manor House

Middleton Hall Ltd

Middlesbrough Intermediate Care Centre

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

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE The Fields The Fields 123 Low Etherley Bishop Auckland Durham DL14 0HA Lead Inspector Stephen Willcock Announced Inspection 27th September 2005 10:00 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 The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service The Fields Address The Fields 123 Low Etherley Bishop Auckland Durham DL14 0HA 01388 832655 01388 835796 davis@redgoldhouse.freeserve.co.uk 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) Mr Robin Davis Mrs Susan Davis Alison Brennan Care Home 25 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (25) of places The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 27th April 2005 Brief Description of the Service: The Fields is a privately owned care home providing care and support for up to 25 older people. The home is situated in Low Etherley and can be accessed via a small private road that opens onto a car park at the front of the building. The Fields has been extended from the original house to provide additional bedrooms and increase the number of communal areas. The home is in its own grounds with pleasant views across the local countryside. All but two of the bedrooms have en-suite facilities. In addition to residential care, the home also provides respite care. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The inspection took place on 27th September 2005 over a period of 6 hours. During the inspection time was spent talking to service users, relatives, staff and management. A number of records were looked at and the grounds and building itself were inspected. Discussions with service users and their relatives found a high degree of satisfaction with the care provided and the rapport that had developed between themselves and the staff. Comments made by relatives suggested that the communication between the manager and relatives was “extremely good” and that the staff are “always caring, patient and willing to listen”. Service users comments were also favourable. One service user wrote, “the food is excellent, we have an exceptionally good cook” and “the atmosphere is homely, happy and comfortable with first class care”. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: During the inspection it was seen that a ramp was in the process of being built by the owner and it is essential that before it is used an assessment is conducted to assure that it is safe. The manager was also asked to consider staggered meal breaks for staff to ensure that service users care was not lessened during these times. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 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 Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 4, 5 and 6 The home ensures it can meet service users assessed needs and offers the opportunity of trial visits. EVIDENCE: In discussion service users and their families spoke highly of the service provided in meeting the service users’ assessed needs. One family member said the manager had arranged hospital appointments and health care checks for their relative and that this had been “a great weight off our minds”. Evidence was seen in each service users care plan that was looked at, of good access to health care including opticians, dieticians and chiropody. The home had a policy of inviting service users to come to the home for a trial visit before making the decision to live there permanently. One service user said they came to the home for respite care a number of times and decided to move there for good. The home did not provide intermediate care. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 9 Health and Personal Care The intended outcomes for Standards 7 – 11 are: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The service user’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Service users’ health care needs are fully met. Service users, where appropriate, are responsible for their own medication, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Service users are assured that at the time of their death, staff will treat them and their family with care, sensitivity and respect. The Commission considers Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 7, 8 and 10 The home ensures that each service user has a plan of care and health needs are met in a dignified and respectful manner. EVIDENCE: Service users care plans were found to be easy to read and contained enough detail to enable staff to carry out their duty of care to meet the wishes of the service user. There was evidence of regular review of the care plan taking place in order to meet current needs. The home had recently completed extensive training in nutrition needs for older people and had used this knowledge to maintain and improve service users health and wellbeing. There was general agreement between service users and their families that staff at the home treated service users with dignity and respect. One family member said the staff always provide personal care in a dignified manner and maintained good communication with the service user when carrying out these tasks. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10 Daily Life and Social Activities The intended outcomes for Standards 12 - 15 are: 12. 13. 14. 15. Service users find the lifestyle experienced in the home matches their expectations and preferences, and satisfies their social, cultural, religious and recreational interests and needs. Service users maintain contact with family/ friends/ representatives and the local community as they wish. Service users are helped to exercise choice and control over their lives. Service users receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing surroundings at times convenient to them. The Commission considers all of the above key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 13 and 14 The home encourages service users to maintain their social contacts and encourage them to retain control over their lives. EVIDENCE: In conversation with service users and relatives it was found that visitors to the home were encouraged to visit their relatives at any time. One visitor to the home said the home was “very clean and the staff are very nice” and she could always meet with her relative in private. Service users spoken to said that they could make choices in their lives including when to get up and go to bed and added that there was always plenty of things to do if they wished, and talked of trips out of the home to places like South Shields. Service users said they had been encouraged to bring their own possessions to the home including furniture and to personalise their rooms to their own tastes. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 11 Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 16 - 18 are: 16. 17. 18. Service users and their relatives and friends are confident that their complaints will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. Service users’ legal rights are protected. Service users are protected from abuse. The Commission considers Standards 16 and 18 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 17 The home promotes and protects the legal rights of service users. EVIDENCE: In discussion, the manager said that service users families were encouraged to conduct their relative’s legal affairs if necessary, including voting in local and general elections by using the postal voting system if required. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 19 – 26 are: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Service users live in a safe, well-maintained environment. Service users have access to safe and comfortable indoor and outdoor communal facilities. Service users have sufficient and suitable lavatories and washing facilities. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. Service users’ own rooms suit their needs. Service users live in safe, comfortable bedrooms with their own possessions around them. Service users live in safe, comfortable surroundings. The home is clean, pleasant and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 19 and 26 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 20, 23 and 26 The home provides safe, comfortable and clean surroundings. EVIDENCE: The home offers spacious and homely lounges for service users to meet with each other and to entertain visits from relatives in private if desired. A large sitting room has a television and a smaller lounge offers a more intimate area for meeting family. The outdoor areas are spacious and block paved to the side with a pleasant flowered area that was much admired by service users. The garden provides a safe and tranquil area to use in the warmer days. Access to the outdoors is being improved by the provision of a ramp that is currently being built by the owner of the home. It was advised that a health and safety person examines the ramp when it is completed. Bedrooms at the home were generally spacious and often furnished with the service users own items. Some service users had a telephone point in their rooms and a private line had been provided. In discussion, service users said they were happy with their rooms and often preferred to spend time in them. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 The home was clean, tidy and free from odour. The manager said that it is often remarked that the home is very clean and smells fresh. Visitors to the home confirmed this and added that the cleanliness of the home was “outstanding”. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 Staffing The intended outcomes for Standards 27 – 30 are: 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users’ needs are met by the numbers and skill mix of staff. Service users are in safe hands at all times. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Staff are trained and competent to do their jobs. The Commission consider all the above are key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 28 The home promotes and encourages service users safety. EVIDENCE: Examination of staff files found evidence of satisfactory checks being carried out prior to the commencement of employment including Criminal Records Bureau checks and Protection of Vulnerable Adults checks. Staff at the home were long standing employees and were willing to enhance their roles through training courses. The manager and cook had recently completed a Focus on Food programme and implemented knowledge gained in the preparation of service users meals. The deputy manager was also studying for a Registered Managers Award enabling her to enhance her role. It was noted that staff meal breaks were taken together and it was advised that staggered staff mealtimes would be more appropriate. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15 Management and Administration The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 38 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Service users live in a home which is run and managed by a person who is fit to be in charge, of good character and able to discharge his or her responsibilities fully. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of service users. Service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home. Service users’ financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s record keeping, policies and procedures. The health, safety and welfare of service users and staff are promoted and protected. The Commission considers Standards 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31 and 33 The home is well managed and includes relatives and service users in all aspects of the care provided. EVIDENCE: The registered manager has been in post at the home since 2004 and has gained good experience within the role. Currently, the manager is studying for the Registered Managers Award and will shortly be starting study leading to NVQ4 in care. The manager was able to demonstrate her capabilities to carry out her duties with confidence and maintain a good rapport with service users, staff and visitors. In discussion, a relative commented that the manager always kept her informed about issues of their relatives care, and had a good attitude. Relatives commented that there views were sought about the care that was given at the home and they were invited to participate in the planning of their The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 relatives care. One service user talked of her involvement in the homes committee and was looking forward to being involved in the next committee meeting. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17 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 X 3 3 N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 X 10 4 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 X 13 3 14 3 15 X COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 X 17 3 18 X X 3 X X 3 X X 4 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 X 28 3 29 X 30 X MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 2 X 3 X X X X X The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? No STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales. No. 1 Standard OP20 Regulation 13 Requirement The registered person must ensure that the newly built ramp satisfies the requirements of Health and Safety prior to its use. Timescale for action 01/12/05 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 2 Refer to Standard 28 31 Good Practice Recommendations The manager should consider the introduction of staggered staff meal breaks. The manager should ensure that she achieves qualifications at NVQ4 in care and management by end of December 2005. The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 19 Commission for Social Care Inspection Darlington Area Office No. 1 Hopetown Studios Brinkburn Road Darlington DL3 6DS National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk © This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI The Fields DS0000007508.V251926.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. 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