Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 24th April 2010. CQC found this care home to be providing an Excellent service.
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.
For extracts, read the latest CQC inspection for 54 Darlington Road.
What the care home does well Darlington Road is and extremely well run, well managed and organised home. It is clear from observations during the inspection, discussion with the manager and staff and the comments within completed surveys that people who live at Darlington Road are centre to everything at Darlington Road and the service is run to ensure their best interests. People are well cared by a well trained staff team. Staff are very positive about their roles within the service and clearly enjoy working at Darlington Road, supporting and caring for the people who live there. They are well trained, there is regular ongoing training and support for staff through supervision, appraisal and the management approach and style. People are clearly seen as individuals and care is planned around their individual needs and lifestyle preferences. The environment is clean, spacious, homely and extremely pleasantly decorated. There is much evidence of personalisation within people`s own bedrooms, which have been decorated to their individual tastes and personalities. There is a range of individualise specialist equipment in place for people. The garden also provides a peaceful environment for people. There is a good amount of both personal and communal space for people. One of the strengths seen at Darlington Road is the drive to ensure that people live as active and fulfilling lives as possible and there is a significant amount of social and recreational facilities available, both in house but more importantly, outside of the service. This random inspection has shown that Darlington Road continues to provide and excellent service for people who live there. What the care home could do better: Of the standard looked at during this random inspection, very little was identified as in need of improvement. In looking at the AQAA and comments in staff surveys it is clear that the service is always looking to continuously develop for the benefit of the people living there. In terms of the records looked at, not all copies of the regulation 26 visit were available within the service. Random inspection report
Care homes for adults (18-65 years)
Name: Address: 54 Darlington Road 54 Darlington Road Hartburn Stockton-on-Tees TS18 5EW three star excellent service The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: 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. This is a report of a random inspection of this care home. A random inspection is a short, focussed review of the service. Details of how to get other inspection reports for this care home, including the last key inspection report, can be found on the last page of this report. Lead inspector: Jacqueline Herring Date: 2 4 0 4 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: 54 Darlington Road 54 Darlington Road Hartburn Stockton-on-Tees TS18 5EW 01642806448 01642866433 bryan.cutter@choicescare.com Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mr Bryan Paul Cutter Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Choices House care home 7 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 learning disability Conditions of registration: 7 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 7 The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home only - Code PC To service users of the following gender: Either Whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following category: Learning disability Code LD, maximum number of places: 7 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home 54 Darlington Road is a seven bedded care home providing personal care to adults with learning disabilities. The level of disability is high and all of the residents are very physically dependant with communication needs. The home is a converted property, with seven single spacious bedrooms, one of which had an ensuite facility. There is a
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 11 Brief description of the care home very spacious, nicely presented garden, which is accessible to all residents. The home is situated close to the centre of Hartburn, very close to a parade of shops, public house, community centre and church. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 11 What we found:
This inspection was a random inspection. It was carried out to ensure that the service is still providing a good service to people who use it. The previous Key Inspection took place on 23 May 2007. Two annual service review have taken place since that Key Inspection. Time was spent looking around the home, discussion took place with two of the staff as well as the manager and brief discussion with other members of staff as well as observing interactions between staff and people who live at the service. A sample of health and safety records were looked at. Surveys were also completed and returned, seven from staff members and three from relatives. An Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA), the services self-assessment of how well they think they are meeting standards had also been well completed and received prior to this random inspection. Information from the AQAA was used to determine the outcome of this inspection. Outcome Group One - Choice of Home There have been no new people admitted to the service for the last two years. This area was not looked at during this random inspection. Outcome Group Two - Individual Needs and Choices The manager and staff were spoken to about the care provided at Darlington Road. Staff surveys contained the following information, We provide excellent care to all service users. Darlington Road responds well to all individual needs as and when they change. Individual needs always come first. At Darlington Road we are always trying to look at new ways to assist service users and we always aim to provide better care. We also received surveys from relatives of people living at Darlington Road. They too were extremely positive about the care and support provided. One relative stated about what the service does well, Recognises and acts on the needs of the people they care for. The staff are encouraging and caring. They are in tune with the needs of her/him and know when she/he wants quiet time by their body language. Another relative stated, Caters well for all his/her needs ensuring that he/she is well cared for in all aspect and is able to lead as full and active life within the constraints of his/her disability. Observations during the inspection clearly showed a caring environment, interaction between people living at the service and staff were very positive, with laughter being seen and heard and also staff clearly showing respect for people. Outcome Group Three - Lifestyle In discussion with the manager and staff at Darlington Road, it was clear that one of the strengths of the service was the range of recreational and social activities available to people and they all clearly lead as full and active life as possible.
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 11 On the inspection day, three people who live at the service were going out for the day, into town shopping and then out for lunch. Two other people living at the home, were relaxing in the snoozelin room, one was having an aromatherapy hand and foot message, whilst the other was relaxing while a member of staff played an acoustic guitar. A further person was enjoying fresh air and sunshine in the garden as was one other person, who was enjoying relaxing on their special mat along with their musical instruments. Staff spoken to were very positive about the activities available to people living at Darlington Road. In terms of areas for improvement, it was identified that the minibus that the service has is breaking down alot, which means that the service have to use taxis instead of having their own fully reliant transport. The manager is looking to hopefully have the minibus replaced. Of what the service does well, one member of staff said, Offers wide range of activities, to help provide a high quality of life. Provides a healthy wide ranging diet. A relative stated in one of the surveys, She/he has home cooked food, a lovely bedroom and a good social life which includes holidays and trips out. Aromatherapy at Darlington Road and also visits to the hydro pool. Outcome Group Four - Personal and Healthcare Support The manager said there had been a recent pharmacy audit by North Tees Primary Care Trust, in which they achieved 95 . It was confirmed in discussion with the manager that they currently do not have any Controlled Drugs and the policies have been amended to reflect this. It was also confirmed that since the last Key Inspection of the service, a medication fridge has been purchased and that daily fridge temperatures and medication room temperatures are being recorded and monitored. It was also confirmed that only staff who have had the appropriate training are involved in the administration of medication. Staff are also involved in dealing with epilepsy and also in PEG feeding, it was confirmed with the manager and another member of staff that they had received the required training, had competencies assessed and the training was certificated. This is also updated. Outcome Group Five - Concerns, Complaints and Protection The AQAA detailed that there had been no complaints in the last 12 months. There have been two safeguarding matters, both of which have been appropriately reported and handled. Staff spoken to confirmed the actions that would be taken if they had any concerns within the service Outcome Group Six - Environment A visit was made to Darlington Road and we had a look around all of the communal
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 11 areas, gardens and bedrooms. Darlington Road provides an extremely pleasant, homely and relaxed environment for people to live. It is tastefully decorated and is modern and contemporary in design. There is a music and computer area, which is fully accessible to people, a large lounge, doors leading to the conservatory. Each person has their own bedrooms, with individualised specialist equipment, including beds and ceiling hoists. There is also a snoozelin room, this is a multi sensory therapeutic system used for people and is used for some people for the purposes of relaxation. There is a large rear garden, with lawned areas, raised beds, a trampoline, patio areas with furniture and an areas that is currently being decked. There are ramps to both the entrance of the home and into to the garden. A new fire alarm system has recently been installed. Outcome Group Seven - Staffing A member of staff was spoken to about staffing levels. They confirmed they were sufficient to meet the needs of people living at Darlington Road and would be increased depending upon activities that people are involved in or if there is a change in peoples needs. There is usually six staff on duty during the morning and four in the afternoon. On night duty there is one waking and one sleeping staff. There are also two cooks employed and ten hours housekeeping as well as a valued volunteer who helps. A number of staff surveys were received and staff indicated that appropriate recruitment had taken place and they had been provided with the information and training to enable them to undertake their care role. A staff survey contained the following comment about what the service does well, The training we are given throughout the year is very good. If we are interested in any specific training Choices will look into it for us. Another member of staff said, Staff are always given up to date training to suit individual needs. A member of staff confirmed that they had completed a full induction programme and that they had worked in a supernumerary capacity for two weeks, which all staff do. The manager also confirmed that each member of staff has a personal development portfolio. Outcome Group Eight - Conduct and Management of the Home Darlington Road is a well run, managed and organised home. The manager is registered with CQC and has been in post for several years. Very positive comments were made by staff about his leadership style and how he strives with his team to ensure that the people who use the service are centre to everything. Staff surveys contained positive comments about the service. One person stated, We have a dedicated staff team that puts the clients health and happiness before anything else. Another member of staff stated, I thoroughly enjoy time at the home. It has a lovely atmosphere and is a pleasure to work with the service users and the rest of the team.
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 11 A range of audit reports were looked at, including a health and safety audit of 31/8/09 and which had again been completed on 21/4/10. A further quality audit was made available which had been carried out in May 2009. Regulation 26 visits are taking place, however copies of the most recent visits were not available within the service. A sample of health and safety records were looked at, this included water temperatures and fire checks. The records showed that these were being checked on a weekly basis. Fire drills are also taking place along with practice evacuations on a regular basis. What the care home does well: What they could do better:
Of the standard looked at during this random inspection, very little was identified as in need of improvement. In looking at the AQAA and comments in staff surveys it is clear that the service is always looking to continuously develop for the benefit of the people living there. In terms of the records looked at, not all copies of the regulation 26 visit were available within the service.
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 11 If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 2. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 11 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R Outstanding statutory requirements
These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 9 of 11 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection:
Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service.
No Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations 1 26 The montly regulation 26 reports should be available within the service. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 11 Reader Information
Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report Care Quality Commission General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Copies of the National Minimum Standards –Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or got from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop 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 summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. © Care Quality Commission 2010 This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any format or medium for noncommercial purposes, provided that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a derogatory manner or in a misleading context. The source should be acknowledged, by showing the publication title and © Care Quality Commission 2010. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 11 - 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. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!
