CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE
The Patricia Venton House Astor Drive Mount Gould Plymouth PL4 9ED Lead Inspector
Antonia Reynolds Announced 13 October 2005
th 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 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 Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION
Name of service The Patricia Venton House Address Astor Drive, Mount Gould, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 9ED Telephone number Fax number Email address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) 01752 253980 NONE willandpatventon@btopenworld.com Plymouth Age Concern Vacancy Care Home 24 Category(ies) of Dementia - over 65 years of age (24), Old age, registration, with number not falling within any other category (24), of places Physical disability over 65 years of age (24) The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION
Conditions of registration: Age 60yrs Date of last inspection 28th April 2005 Brief Description of the Service: Patricia Venton House is a care home providing accommodation and personal care for 24 people, aged over 60, who may also have dementia or a physical disability. The home is owned by Plymouth Age Concern, which is a voluntary organisation, and is situated in a cul-de-sac in the residential area of Mount Gould in Plymouth. It was opened in 1992 and is part of a larger resource offering residential and day care for older people. The home is a four storey, purpose built, detached property and the residential accommodation occupies the two upper floors. There are twenty four self contained rooms with en suite facilities, six of which are more spacious and would be suitable for those who may wish to share. There is a lounge room on each floor and a large dining area situated on the floor below, which is shared with the service users of the adjacent day centre, with separate sittings for residents and day guests. There is a call alarm system throughout the home. A passenger lift is available to all floors. The garden is attractive, spacious and accessible to the residents. The home has a no-smoking policy but there is a garden house where residents may smoke. The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 5 SUMMARY
This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This inspection was announced, undertaken by two inspectors, and took place between 9.30am and 5.45pm. The Manager, Jackie Carr, was present throughout. A tour of the premises took place and records relating to care, staff and the home were inspected. Twelve of the residents, five relatives/visitors and a District Nurse were spoken with, and other residents as well as staff were met and observed during the visit. Written comments were received from four residents and five relatives/visitors, all of which were complimentary about the care provided. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better:
The recruitment process needs to ensure that two written references are obtained prior to new staff members commencing employment to protect
The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 6 residents from risk. The statutory inspection that took place on 22nd February 2005 also identified this practice and the same requirement was made. 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 Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 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 Standards Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 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 standard(s) 1, 3, 5 and 6 The home’s Statement of Purpose and Service User Guide provide prospective residents and their relatives/representatives with details of the services the home provides, enabling them to make an informed decision about admission to the home. EVIDENCE: The home had a Statement of Purpose and Service User Guide available for current and prospective residents, which contained all relevant information for people wanting to know more about the home. No residents had been admitted to the home since the new Manager took up her appointment. However she confirmed that residents were given opportunities to visit the home to meet other residents and staff prior to admission and that she would write to prospective residents to confirm whether or not the home was able to meet their care needs following assessment. The residents were very complimentary about the home and the care they received and had usually chosen the home because of its reputation or a recommendation from friends or relatives. Some of the residents had also been users of the day service that is attached to the home, therefore were familiar with the service prior to admission. The home did not provide intermediate care.
The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 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 standard(s) 8, 9 and 10 Residents can be confident that this care home is able to meet their health and personal care needs in an atmosphere that encourages choice and decisionmaking. EVIDENCE: Discussion with the residents, relatives and the Manager, as well as observation, showed that personal and health care needs were being met. Residents were treated with dignity, privacy was respected and wishes and preferences were always taken into account when staff were caring for them. Two residents commented that they could only have one bath a week and would prefer more, therefore the Manager agreed to look into this issue. Health and social care professionals were consulted when required and the District Nurse confirmed that she visited the home regularly and was always contacted by staff as soon as a health issue was identified. Residents were able to receive professional or personal visitors in private within their rooms or socially in communal areas. A hairdresser visited the Centre on three days a week and a salon was available for this purpose, which was greatly appreciated by residents and their relatives. Residents were also able to visit a hairdresser in the community or have their own hairdresser to visit them. The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 10 Medication was safely stored and administrative procedures were well managed. The home used a monitored dosage system and had a medicines trolley on each floor. The Manager confirmed that medication was checked regularly and any discontinued or expired medication was returned to the pharmacy. The home had a contract with a local pharmacist who had carried out an inspection of the home’s medication during the week prior to this inspection. Residents were given the opportunity to handle their own medication if they were assessed as being safe to do so and secure storage was provided in residents’ bedrooms. The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 11 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 standard(s) 12, 13, 14 and 15 Residents are enabled to make choices about the lifestyle within and outside the home. Dietary needs of residents are well catered for with a balanced and varied selection of food available that meets residents’ tastes and choices. EVIDENCE: The residents confirmed that there were various activities that they could participate in if they wished to. This included activities within the home or they could attend the day centre that is attached. Trips out were arranged each month to local places of interest. Those residents who bought their own breakfast and tea meals thoroughly enjoyed the weekly trip to the local supermarket to purchase food items of their choice. All the residents were very satisfied with the domestic arrangements and the daily routines in the home. Contact with families and friends was encouraged and residents had their own telephones in their rooms, which were full of personal possessions. Visiting relatives confirmed that they can have meals with the residents, if invited, for which a small financial charge was made. The home employed catering staff who cooked the main meal at lunch time and care staff made tea in the evening for those residents who did not make their own. The residents confirmed that they liked the food, there was plenty of it and likes/dislikes were respected. Hot and cold drinks and snacks were available at all times and offered regularly. The menus indicated that there
The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 12 was a choice of two hot meals at lunchtime on four days of the week but, on the other three days when a roast dinner was served, there was no hot alternative, although salads were always available. At least one of the residents commented on this and the Manager confirmed that the menu is being reconsidered as part of the ongoing review of services. Residents also confirmed that they could eat their meals where they liked, for example, in their rooms or the dining room. It was observed that staff asked the residents what they would like for lunch the next day during the morning. This caused some confusion because some residents were unsure as to which meal was being discussed. The Manager agreed to look into this practice and find a more suitable time to ask the residents for their menu choice. Meals were provided in the dining room for attendees at the day centre attached to the home, and older people living locally could also have lunch at the Centre, as long as they booked a meal. Providing services to the community is part of Age Concern’s policy and the tensions that may occur between residents, day centre users and visitors, particularly over meals and meal times, was recognised by the management team of Age Concern and discussed in residents’ meetings with the Manager. The management team confirmed that this arrangement was always made clear to prospective residents before they took up a permanent place in the home. The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 13 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 standard(s) 16 and 18 Residents can feel confident that any complaints they have will be taken seriously and that their views are listened to and acted on. EVIDENCE: Discussions with residents and relatives confirmed that they had no complaints about the care or services offered in the home. The home had received one complaint since the last inspection that was fully investigated and substantiated, therefore procedures were put in place to prevent a recurrence. Residents spoke with confidence about raising any issues if they were dissatisfied in any way. Observation demonstrated that any worries or concerns expressed by residents were sorted out immediately either by the care staff or the Manager. Residents who were able to express their views were very complimentary about the home. The Manager was well aware of adult protection procedures, policies were available in the home and adult protection training had been undertaken, or was planned, for all staff. The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 14 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 standard(s) 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 The standard of the environment within and outside the home is excellent providing the residents with an attractive, clean and comfortable place in which to live. EVIDENCE: The living accommodation was situated on the top two floors of the Centre and many rooms had far reaching views of the River Plym and surrounding countryside. A passenger lift and two staircases provided access to all floors. A relative raised the issue of the lift breaking down because, apart from stairs, there is no other way off/to the top floor, which creates difficulties for those residents/relatives who are unable to use stairs. Discussion with the management team confirmed that this issue had been considered but that the risks to residents of installing stair lifts outweighed the benefits. The rooms were arranged around a rectangular viewing gallery which looked down onto the large central dining hall which was open at lunchtimes for non residents. Each floor has a lounge room for residents, as well as a staff room and offices. The home had a ‘no smoking’ policy but residents and visitors could smoke outside or in the garden house. There was a call alarm system throughout the
The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 15 home and the Manager confirmed that a different system was being considered as part of the overall improvement programme. Every resident had a spacious, well maintained room with front doors that had letter boxes and door bells/knockers. The rooms contained sleeping and sitting areas, with en suite bathrooms and some kitchen facilities, such as a refrigerator, microwave, toaster, kettle and sink. Most residents had brought items of furniture in with them and all the rooms seen contained a variety of personal effects. The quality of the attractive bed linen and soft furnishings provided by the organisation was noted and added to the warmth and comfort of the resident’s rooms. Where required, bathing aids had been installed in the en suite bathrooms and the home also had an assisted bath on the top floor for residents to use with staff support. The Manager confirmed that, following consultation with the residents and an occupational therapist, this bathroom may be redesigned with different equipment to better meet the needs of existing and future residents. Throughout the home, cleanliness and hygiene were of a very high standard. Laundry facilities were sited on the ground floor and a domestic washing machine was available for residents if they wished to do their own laundry. The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 16 Staffing
The intended outcomes for Standards 27 – 30 are: 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users needs are met by the numbers and skill mix of staff. Service users are in safe hands at all times. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Staff are trained and competent to do their jobs. The Commission considers Standards 27, 29, and 30 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 27, 28, 29 and 30 Residents can be confident that the staff group have a good understanding of their care needs and are well qualified and experienced. Recruitment processes are not robust, potentially leaving residents at risk. EVIDENCE: The Manager confirmed that there were usually five care staff on duty between 8am and 2pm, three from 2pm to 10pm and two waking night staff. On Mondays an extra two staff were on duty from 8am until 2pm to facilitate shopping trips for the residents. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings there were four staff on duty from 2pm until 10pm because these were evenings when activities took place, usually bowls and bingo. The Assistant Manager worked shifts, but was additional to the care staff, and was either on duty from 8am to 4pm or 2pm to 10pm on five days of the week. The Manager spent 50 of her duty time on the rota as a member of the care staff team and 50 additional to the staff team. The Centre employed three domestics from 8am until 2pm on weekdays and care staff did any essential cleaning at weekends and some domestic work during the week. The Centre also employed catering staff who worked varied hours, but mainly to cover the main meal at lunchtimes. Of the 24 residents in the home on the day of inspection, only 11 of those had three meals a day, as the others purchased their own breakfast and tea. There was a maintenance person for the whole complex who carried out all the maintenance jobs as they occurred, with his assistant. The management team were on call at evenings and weekends should the staff experience any difficulties.
The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 17 All staff were expected to participate in various training courses and records were kept. Training included induction, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and courses specifically related to the residents, such as mental health and dementia, as well as training relating to health and safety issues. Two personnel files were inspected and, whilst most required documentation had been obtained, checks designed to protect service users were not as thorough as they should be. One file contained only one written reference and one did not contain any, although it was evident that references had been applied for. This practice was also identified at the statutory inspection in February 2005. The Registered Provider must obtain two written references for new staff members before they are employed in the care home. The Manager confirmed that staff would not be working unsupervised until satisfactory references and a Criminal Records Bureau check were received. The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 18 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 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37 and 38 Residents live in a well managed home where the staff team provide a stimulating, safe environment that respects, promotes and protects service users’ rights. EVIDENCE: The newly appointed Manager had been in post for five weeks at the time of this inspection. She confirmed that she had many years experience of managing residential care homes, is a qualified assessor for National Vocational Qualifications and manual handling trainer. She had started a level 4 National Vocational Qualification and the Registered Manager’s Award during previous employment and intends to recommence this training in due course. The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 19 The Manager confirmed that she met with residents regularly in formal meetings, or informally on an individual basis, to discuss any issues or concerns and to ensure that they were involved in the running of the home. Discussions with residents, the Manager and the Finance Officer, confirmed that residents were encouraged to manage their own money or relatives/representatives managed it on their behalf. Documentation and discussion with the Manager demonstrated that formal supervision, staff appraisals and staff meetings have taken place. The home had a designated Health and Safety Officer and the management of health and safety in the home was satisfactory. The Manager confirmed that staff had received training in first aid, health and safety, food hygiene and manual handling. Senior staff were qualified first aiders and the usual practice was that one of these staff members was on duty at all times. A fire risk assessment was in place and documentation showed that all checks and tests of fire prevention equipment had been carried out as required. The Manager confirmed that all staff received training in fire safety awareness at the required intervals, which included both in-house and external training. A record of accidents was available and serious accidents/incidents were reported to the appropriate authorities, including the Commission for Social Care Inspection. The Manager confirmed that hot water outlets accessible to residents were fitted with mixer valves to ensure that hot water comes out of the tap at close to 43°C and that this was monitored with records kept. Window restrictors had been fitted to most windows above ground floor level. A window in an office did not have a restrictor fitted but the Manager confirmed this would be addressed. Substances hazardous to health were stored safely, although a sluice room containing chemicals was found unlocked on the day of inspection, but was locked once the staff had stopped using it. Gas appliances were serviced regularly, portable electrical appliances had been checked and the home had a five-year electrical safety certificate dated May 2003. The shaft lift and hoists were serviced regularly and documentation was available. The kitchen facilities were clean, cleaning rotas were in place, and records were kept of the temperatures of refrigerators, freezers and cooked food. Risk assessments had been carried out on safe working practice topics. The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 20 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 ENVIRONMENT Standard No 1 2 3 4 5 6 Score Standard No 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Score 3 x 3 x 3 N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 x 8 3 9 3 10 4 11 x DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 4 13 3 14 4 15 3
COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION 3 3 4 4 4 4 3 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 2 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score Standard No 16 17 18 Score 3 x 3 3 3 3 x 3 3 3 3 The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 21 NO Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? 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 OP29 Regulation 19 Requirement The Registered Provider must obtain two written references for new staff members before they are employed in the care home. Timescale for action 13th January 2006 RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. 1. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations The Patricia Venton House D52-D04 S3555 Venton Centre V241934 131005 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 22 Commission for Social Care Inspection Unit D1 Linhay Business Park Ashburton TQ13 7UP National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk
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