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Inspection on 29/06/09 for Tor Vale

Also see our care home review for Tor Vale for more information

This inspection was carried out on 29th June 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: Tor Vale 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: Annie Foot 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: Chittleburn Hill Brixton Plymouth Devon PL8 2BJ 01752480950 01752480950 torvale@durnford.org Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:   Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : learning disability Conditions of registration: The Durnford Society Ltd Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 5 0 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is 5 The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home with nursing - Code N to service users of either gender whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following category: Lerning disability (Code LD) 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 Tor Vale is a purpose-built home for 5 service users with profound learning and physical disability. The staff provide 24-hour nursing care in a supportive comfortable homely environment. The home comprises a lounge, dining room, domestic type kitchen, five bedrooms, two toilets, one bathroom, one shower room, a treatment room and an office. The home benefits from level gardens, and paved seating areas. The mini bus is available to transport service users for leisure and recreational purposes. The home is situated close to the village of Brixton. The home is administered by the Durnford Society Ltd, which is a non-profit making industrial and Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 Provident Society and has the charitable status.... The statement of purpose is available in the office of the home. This had been provided in audio disc (CD) form and as a paper document. The fees are paid through a block contract with the Health Authority that funds the current placements. Individual fees are not stated. 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 which took place on 17 May 2007 and the annual service review completed on 10 June 2008. 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. Surveys returned to us by people using the service and from other people with an interest in the service. Information we have about how the service has managed any complaints. What the service has told us about things that have happened in the service, these are called notifications and are a legal requirement. The previous key inspection and the results of any other visits that we have made to the service in the last 12 months. Relevant information from other organisations. What other people have told us about the service. What has this told us about the service? The home sent us their annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. It was clear and detailed and gave us all the information we asked for. The AQAA tells us that Tor Vale offers each Service User a comprehensive package of care that is individually tailored to meet specific needs and requirements. The service builds on value base that expects the highest standards and promotes individuality, equality, rights and choices of Service Users and staff. The organisation actively encourages learning and the fulfillment of achievement amongst Service Users and Staff. An Activities Co-ordinator adapts a flexible yet structured activities programme for service users and to cover activities, especially in the evenings. Tor Vale provides a home for life that is welcoming, happy, clean and safe. It aims to ensure that Service users live a life that is valued and fulfilling. Over the last year the home has continued to review and develop a more person centred care plan package and to reduce the duplication of documentation. Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 The operational management structure of the home has been reviewed. Changes have been made to the key worker system to incorporate a health action plan facilitator attached to each team. The home liaises with other health care professional and in the past year have forged stronger links with members of the multi-disciplinary team. There is a complaints procedure in place, available in pictorial form to make it more accessible. No complaints have been received in the last year. 9 permanent care staff are employed at the home. All have achieved an NVQ level 2 or above in care. Induction and ongoing training is provided for staff. Staff who completed surveys say that the induction covers everything needed to do the job. Staff say they are kept up to date with the changing needs of residents. One person responding to a survey said, I enjoy working for the Durnford Society and appreciate all the training they provide. I love working for the residents, they are great people Staff say the home care for the residents well and ensures that staff are checked , another said, we are passionate about what we do and constantly discuss and question our work, the service users want for nothing. High standards are expected by all members of the staff team. The AQAA tells us the staff team works extremely well in times of crisis either when a service user is very ill or when colleagues are absent due to ill-health. But some staff say that more staff are needed, at times when a service user is ill or admitted to hospital. There has been one new admission to the home during the year and one service user has died. Staff turnover is low. 3 staff have left employment at the home during the year. A range of policies and procedures are in operation at the home which are regularly reviewed, although a few have not been reviewed since 2001. The registered manager is a registered nurse with over 20 years experience in the learning disability field. In the managers absence the home is managed by experienced registered nurses who also provide support on a daily basis. The management team aim to ensure that they are up-to-date with the best current practice. The home continues to provide a high standard of care and there is no evidence to indicate that outcomes for people who use the service have changed since the last inspection of the service. 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 18 May, 2010. However, we can inspect the service at any time if we have concerns about the quality of the service or the safety of the people using the service. Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 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. If you would like a copy of the findings in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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