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Inspection on 07/08/09 for The Poplars Nursing Home

Also see our care home review for The Poplars Nursing Home for more information

This inspection was carried out on 7th August 2009.

It is an annual review prepared by CQC after examining previous reports and information from the provider. At the time of this report, CQC judged the service to be Excellent.

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.

What follows are excerpts from this inspection report. For more information read the full report on the next tab.

Annual service review Name of Service: The Poplars Nursing Home The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: three star excellent 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 review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.   Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?   No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Karen Thompson Date of this annual service review: 2 9 0 6 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service Address of service: 66 South Road Smethwick West Midlands B67 7BP 01215580962 01215584128 pop@carltoncaregroup.co.uk Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:   Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: Mr A Billingham Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 35 One service user identified in the variation report dated 29.12.04 may be accommodated at the home in the category of PD. This will remain until such time that the service users placement is terminated or until the home can continue to meet the service users needs. Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the No service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service The Poplars Nursing Home is a substantially extended property, currently registered for 35 older people requiring nursing care. The premises were originally two Edwardian houses, which were converted to provide the accommodation. The home is located close to Smethwick town centre and within easy access to local amenities including public transport. The property stands in its own grounds, with ample car parking at the front, with two tiered gardens to the rear. The communal accommodation is provided on the first floor and comprises: lounge, dining room, conservatory and quiet room. Laundry and catering are on the ground floor with a maintenance area in the basement. The service users bedrooms are Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 located on the ground and first second floors. There are 21 single rooms, of which 6 are en-suite, and 7 shared bedrooms. There are a number of communal bathrooms with assisted bathing and showering facilities over two floors. Toilets are situated throughout the home and close to communal areas. The first floor can be accessed by a passenger lift, located off the foyer. The present scale of charges are # 439- #500 per week. However these may be subject to an annual increase. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 7 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review: What did we do for this annual service review? We looked at all the information that we have received, or asked for, since the last key inspection or annual service review. This included the annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) that was sent to us by the service. The AQAA is a self assessment that focuses on how well outcomes are being met for people using the service. It also gave us some numerical information about the service. Also used to collate informatin were surveys returned to us by people with an interest in and people using the service, the legal notifications from the home and the results of the previous key inspection along with any relevant information from other organisations. What has this told us about the service? The service sent us their annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. It was clearly presented. They told us about how they met equality and diversity, which included: An assessment being undertaken for everyone before they are admitted to the home, to ensure that all personal requirements are in place when they move in, the care planning documentation process and staff training. The home also told us of improvements they have made over the past twelve months which include building up a relationship with the hospice at home team, improving their written communication with relatives for examples in relation to general information on the home and activities. The range of social activities has also been extended. The management team have attended training on the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty. and care staff have commenced NVQ 3 training. Area of the home have been refurbished and redecorated areas of the home so that accessibility has been increased and it has the appearance of being light and fresh. They have also reviewed their quality assurance system and this now includes audits for infection control, hand washing, enteral feeding and after death analysis. They have told us about the plans they have for the next twelve months and these include further training for qualified staff in end of life care, increasing the number of trips each month out for people living in the home. Staff are also to have further training in abuse given in house. The further refurbishment of room and replacement of more furniture is also planned, along with plans to reduce the number of shared bedrooms. Current care policies are also to be reviewed in light of Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty. We have received surveys from ten persons living at the home and some of these people were supported with completing the form, nine relatives, ten members of staff and one health professional. Of the people who lived at the home, eight people told us they had received a contract and one did not answer this question and the other person believed their relative dealt Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 with this. They all knew how to make a formal complaint if they needed to. Seven people told us that they always receive the care and support they needed and the other three usually did. They all told us that they always received the outside medical support they needed. Comments received included look after me well, Six people told us there are usually staff available when they need them and the staff listen to them and act upon what they say while four people told us that this always happens. Comments received included They do as well as I expect them to, Staff are helpful Eight people told us they always like the meals and two people told us they usually liked the meals in the home. Comments received included I enjoy the food very much, I enjoy the food, food is good. Four people told us there were always activities that they can take part in, four told us this was usually and one told us only sometimes there were activities they could take part in and one did not answer. Comments included, makes sure my newspapers are delivered for me to read, entrainment is provided by I choose not to join in, I enjoy the entrainment. They all told us that the home was always fresh and clean. Comment included my room is nice. We received nine survey forms back from relatives, carers and advocates. Seven relatives, carers and advocates told us they get enough information about the care service to make decision and two told us usually. Eight relatives, carers and advocates told us they felt the care service always meet the needs of their friend or relative, one felt that they usually meet the needs. Comments included The service is very good I cant hardy fault it.... a bit more day time activities(needed) ....gets bored, Seven relatives, carers and advocates told us they were always informed of important issues affecting their friend or relative with two telling us usually. Comments included, Care manager and staff keep us informed of all matters relating to ...care, Eight relatives, carers and advocates told us the care service always responds to the different needs of individuals with one stating usually. Comments included, excellent care and attention to ... changing needs, and the service caters for most of the needs of my.... Eight relatives, carers and advocates told us they knew how to make a formal complaint out of the nine returned. Comments included,I certainly do not have any complaints,.. has been very well cared for always clean and tidy ....Clean environment , staff friendly and efficient, The health professional told us that there is good communication between them and the home. We received nine staff surveys and the responses to questions asked were positive Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 with all staff ticking the same box for each question asked. One question asked was: Are you given up to date information about the needs of the people you support or care for ? All staff stated : Always. Another question was: Does your manager give you enough support and meet you to discuss how you are working? All staff answered: Regularly. All staff answered Always to do you feel you have enough support, experience and knowledge to meet the different needs of people who live at the home. Comments from staff included the home has very high standards, the manager is very supportive to all staff. We have regular training and encouragement. We have all the equipment in the home ....very friendly atmosphere and residents are well looked after. Staff work as a team and our manager is always in the home to help with anything. Ive enjoyed being a member of the team here, The staff we have at the home are long standing and loyal with vacancies virtually non existent, this reflects how well the staff are treated in every aspect. The home is a happy place to work this has an affect and shows in the day to day running of the home and the way residents are care for. , It is one of the best places to work We have received no complaints about the home since the last key inspection. The home told us they had received two complaints in the last twelve months. The home told us they had responded to both these complaints with in 28 days and both were upheld. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? We are not going to change our inspection plan, and will do a key inspection by 30 April 2010. However, we can inspect the service at any time if we have concerns about the quality of ther servcie or the safety of the people using the service. Annual Service Review Page 6 of 7 Reader Information Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Annual service review CQC General Public 0870 240 7535 (national contact centre) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. The content of which can be found on our website. Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. 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