Inspection on 16/05/06 for The Mellowes

This inspection was carried out on 16th May 2006.

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

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

Other inspections for this house

The Mellowes 04/10/05

The Mellowes 27/04/05

The Mellowes 03/11/04

The Mellowes 15/06/04

Similar services:

Fairfields Country Rest Home

Poldhu

Queensmount

Trevaylor Manor

Didsbury Court Rest Home

Belma

Hunters Care Centre

Manor Lodge

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

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Mellowes (The) Common Mead Lane Gillingham Dorset SP8 4RE Lead Inspector Gloria Ashwell Key Unannounced Inspection 16th May 2006 12:30 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 Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Mellowes (The) Address Common Mead Lane Gillingham Dorset SP8 4RE 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) 01747 826677 01747 826699 www.bupa.co.uk BUPA Care Homes (CFCHomes) Limited Mrs Jane Jones Care Home 48 Category(ies) of Old age, not falling within any other category registration, with number (48) of places Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. 2. 3. The home may accommodate a maximum of 39 service users who require nursing care. Maximum of 3 double bedrooms in use at any one time, no`s 2, 25, 26, 36, 44 & 45 (referred to as `guest suite`). The home may accommodate a maximum of 2 service users between the ages of 35yrs and 65yrs at any one time, not exceeding the registration number of 48 4th October 2005 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: The Mellowes is a purpose built care home situated on the outskirts of Gillingham and was purchased by BUPA in June 2002. It is registered to accommodate forty-eight residents with a maximum of thirty-nine requiring nursing care. Fees are charged on a weekly basis and commence at £580 per week for residential care and £750 for nursing care. Persons requiring respite (short term) care are charged between £600 and £750 per week, depending on need. The service user accommodation is over two floors with a passenger lift enabling easy access throughout the home. There are 45 bedrooms, all with en-suite facilities, three communal lounges and a large dining area. The home has five assisted bathrooms and an assisted shower. The extensive grounds have lawns, seasonal flower borders, a sensory garden, an Italian style courtyard with water feature, and a gravelled driveway with car parking area. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This inspection was one of the two statutory inspections required in accordance with the Care Standards Act 2000. Since the last inspection no formal complaints against the home have been received or investigated by the Commission. The inspection was unannounced. The inspector spoke to registered manager Mrs Jane Jones, nursing, care and household staff, the activity organiser, 14 residents and the visiting relatives of one resident. The inspector observed staff interaction with residents and the carrying out of routine tasks. Additional information used to inform the inspection process included a total of 15 Comment Cards completed and sent to the Commission by doctors, social care professionals and the relatives of service users. During this inspection compliance with all key standards of the National Minimum Standards was assessed. What the service does well: People considering moving into The Mellowes receive a full assessment and are provided with the opportunity to visit and spend time at the home to make sure that it is able to meet their needs. Residents are offered a menu that provides a varied and well balanced diet that is served in pleasant surroundings. A menu to order breakfast, lunch and supper is provided for the following day. Further choice is also available if the items on the menu are not suitable. On the day of inspection the home was very clean, of comfortable temperature and adequately staffed. The home is well equipped, attractively decorated and suitably furnished. The standard of nursing and social care is good and each resident has a documented plan of care. Staff are enthusiastic and competent, and receive training. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 6 What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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): 3 (The home does not provide intermediate care so Standard 6 does not apply) Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgment has been made using available evidence including a visit to the service. Prospective residents (or their representatives) are provided with information about The Mellowes and are encouraged to visit in advance of admission to establish their impressions of life at the home and the standard of available accommodation. Prior to admission, the needs of each proposed resident are assessed and the home then writes to prospective residents confirming the ability to properly care for them. EVIDENCE: The records of a recently admitted resident included details of pre-admission assessment which had been carried out by the manager when she visited with the hospital where the resident was at the time accommodated. Because the resident was unwell a close relative visited The Mellowes to view the premises and meet the manager, in advance of admission. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 9 The inspector spoke to the resident who confirmed satisfaction with the home and said “I thought I’d died and gone to heaven; I came here from hospital…I think it’s lovely living here”. A Comment Card written by the relative of a recently admitted resident stated “I have been very pleased with the way staff have helped X settle – their manner is always friendly but polite and respectful – the standard of care seems to me to be very good…” Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 10 Health and Personal Care The intended outcomes for Standards 7 – 11 are: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The service user’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Service users’ health care needs are fully met. Service users, where appropriate, are responsible for their own medication, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Service users are assured that at the time of their death, staff will treat them and their family with care, sensitivity and respect. The Commission considers Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 7, 8, 9 & 10 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgment has been made using available evidence including a visit to the service. The standard of care is good and in accordance with a written plan of care for each resident ensuring that staff have sufficient information upon which to base their care practice. Residents health needs are fully met and periodic audit of accidents are recorded to minimise risks of recurrence. Medicines prescribed by doctors are safely stored and carefully administered to residents by trained nurses, thereby protecting residents from medicine errors. Residents receive prescribed medicines at the correct times and in correct amounts. Residents wishing to do so can manage their own medicines. Residents are treated with respect and their privacy and dignity is protected at all times. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 11 EVIDENCE: Residents believe they are properly cared for; comments made to the inspector included “staff are absolutely super…they know what they’re doing”, and “no trouble to get help at night; we’ve only got to ring the bell”. The inspector examined care records of 4 residents and found that each contained risk assessments forming the basis for care plans and daily records describing the care of each resident. To ensure correct identification of residents records contain a recent photograph of each resident. Records are kept of all accidents and the ‘falls pathway’ system is used with periodic audit to identify any trends or aspects of risk, to ensure that these can be properly managed and thereby reduced. Medication administration records were properly kept indicating that residents receive prescribed medicines at the correct times and in correct amounts those wishing to do so can manage their own medicines in accord with a risk assessment process; none of the currently accommodated residents manage their own medicines. The home is in the process of changing the medicine system to another type of Monitored Dosage System to further improve reliability of stocks and record keeping. All medicine handling is carried out by registered nurses; the provider organisation arranges periodic training to ensure all remain up to date and safe to practice. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12, 13, 14 & 15 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgment has been made using available evidence including a visit to the service. The quality of daily life in the home is good with residents assisted to maintain as much independence as possible. Social and leisure activities are suited to the preference and ability of each resident. Residents are encouraged to maintain contact with the local community and visits by their friends and relatives are welcomed by the home. Meals are appetising and of good quantity and quality. Most residents take meals in the large dining room on the ground floor; others receive them in their bedrooms. EVIDENCE: The inspector spoke to a number of residents; all those able to express an opinion indicated satisfaction with the home, including the range of activities, meal provision, staff and premises. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 13 The home employs an Activities Organiser who arranges local excursions, visiting entertainers, one-to-one and small group social and recreational activities. On the day of inspection a service of interdenominational religious worship had taken place in a small lounge during the morning and a quiz took place in the afternoon. The Activity Organiser issues a monthly ‘What’s On’ sheet, notifying residents of planned events. Residents enjoy the activities and consider them appropriate and of good variety; one said “We have lovely happy times”. Visitors are welcome at any time and those the inspector spoke to said they are always made to feel welcome and placed at ease by the staff. The inspector observed the serving of lunch in the dining room and noted the animated conversation and evident enjoyment of the meal residents were engaged in. Residents said they were very satisfied with the quality, choice and quantity of food provided; one resident said that ”we have a menu for breakfast, lunch and supper…of course we get what we order!”. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 16 & 18 Quality in this outcome area is good with regard to management of abuse, but improvements must be made to the recording of complaint investigations. These judgments have been made using available evidence including a visit to the service. The complaints procedure provides information on the procedure to follow to persons wishing to make complaint; most but not all complaint records include details of investigation. The home adheres to a policy/procedure for the prevention of abuse and staff have received training in this subject to ensure that they remain vigilant to protect vulnerable residents from risks of abuse. EVIDENCE: Residents feel confident that if they had concerns or complaints they will be listened to and taken seriously. The home keeps records of complaints received but upon examination there was found to be no written evidence of investigation, outcome, or reply to the complainant for a complaint received in writing, during November 2005. An associated requirement is included in this report. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 15 The home has developed and implemented written policies and procedures for the protection of residents from abuse or neglect and has provided staff with associated training; the registered manager and her deputy have received training from Dorset County Council, and they now train the staff of The Mellowes. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 16 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 19 – 26 are: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Service users live in a safe, well-maintained environment. Service users have access to safe and comfortable indoor and outdoor communal facilities. Service users have sufficient and suitable lavatories and washing facilities. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. Service users’ own rooms suit their needs. Service users live in safe, comfortable bedrooms with their own possessions around them. Service users live in safe, comfortable surroundings. The home is clean, pleasant and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 19 and 26 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19 & 26 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgment has been made using available evidence including a visit to the service. The Mellowes is a purpose-built well-appointed and comfortable home. On the day of inspection the home was clean, pleasant and hygienic and there was evidence indicating that this is the usual standard of provision. EVIDENCE: The Mellowes is a spacious and well designed home, with wide corridors, good sized bedrooms, bathrooms equipped for the use of persons requiring assistance and comfortable communal rooms. The inspector toured the premises and found the home to be clean, tidy and comfortable throughout; there were no unpleasant odours. Residents stated that this was the usual high standard, one described it as “always the same – clean and comfortable”. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 17 Staffing The intended outcomes for Standards 27 – 30 are: 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users’ needs are met by the numbers and skill mix of staff. Service users are in safe hands at all times. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Staff are trained and competent to do their jobs. The Commission consider all the above are key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27, 28, 29 & 30 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgment has been made using available evidence including a visit to the service. The home employs enough staff to meet the needs of residents and to ensure their safety and comfort and the good condition of the premises. Recruitment practices ensure the protection of residents from potentially unsuitable staff. Staff receive appropriate training and are competent to carry out their jobs. EVIDENCE: Trained nurses lead the care teams and at all times the home is in the overall charge of a trained and competent nurse. Staffing levels are provided in accordance with the assessed needs of residents to ensure that at all times sufficient staff are available to properly meet their needs. The inspector spoke to a number of staff, including registered nurses, care workers and household staff. All were enthusiastic about their work and felt that they provided a good standard of care to residents and are properly supported by the management and training provision. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 18 The records of 3 recently employed staff members were examined and found to contain all essential information including two written references, an interview assessment, health details, evidence of identity and of induction training. The provider organisation has an enthusiastic approach to staff training; recent topics have included First Aid, team building, dementia care, and (for trained nurses) a medicines update. A nurse described the training provision as “very good”. At present 50 of the care staff (including bank staff) currently employed by the home hold a National Vocational Qualification in care; the home thereby meets the standard for at least 50 of the care staff to hold an NVQ. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 19 Management and Administration The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 38 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Service users live in a home which is run and managed by a person who is fit to be in charge, of good character and able to discharge his or her responsibilities fully. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of service users. Service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home. Service users’ financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s record keeping, policies and procedures. The health, safety and welfare of service users and staff are promoted and protected. The Commission considers Standards 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31, 33, 35 & 38 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgment has been made using available evidence including a visit to the service. The home is well managed and staff understand their work and receive training appropriate to their needs. Residents and their representatives are satisfied with the home and feel staff care for them well and put them at their ease. The home has implemented a quality assurance system to ensure that residents remain satisfied with all aspects of the home. The home does not manage the finances of residents. The premises and equipment are properly maintained in good condition. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 20 EVIDENCE: The home has ongoing systems for quality assurance; satisfaction survey are periodically issued and each month a meeting for residents and their relatives takes place; Minutes are kept of these discussions. To ensure continuity of approach the home operates in accord with an extensive selection of clear and appropriate policy and procedure documents, including those for care provision, management and the premises. The home does not manage the finances of residents; residents who are unable to undertake this responsibility personally have nominated relatives, friends or other representatives to do this on their behalf. Staff trained in First Aid and health care are on duty in the home at all times. The premises is well maintained and there are regular checks/tests of fire safety and other equipment. Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 21 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People have been met and uses the following scale. The scale ranges from: 4 Standard Exceeded 2 Standard Almost Met (Commendable) (Minor Shortfalls) 3 Standard Met 1 Standard Not Met (No Shortfalls) (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable CHOICE OF HOME Standard No Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 X X 3 X X N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 3 10 3 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 3 14 3 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 2 17 X 18 3 3 X X X X X X 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 X 3 X 3 X X 3 Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 22 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? No STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales. No. 1 Standard OP16 Regulation 22 Requirement Details of investigation and outcome of all complaints received against the home must be recorded, in accord with the home’s own policy and procedure. Timescale for action 16/06/06 RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 23 Commission for Social Care Inspection Poole Office Unit 4 New Fields Business Park Stinsford Road Poole BH17 0NF 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 Mellowes (The) DS0000028980.V293614.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 24 - 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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