Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 3rd June 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 Abbotts Court.
What the care home does well Since the last key inspection the manager has been registered with CQC. There were no requirements made at that inspection. The manager and the owners have made further improvements to the home. Staff told us that they are replacing some of the homes soft furnishings to make them more attractive and comfortable. The deputy manager told us that all of the people who live at the home have a personal care plan which informs the staff how they can support them and meet their needs. We looked at a sample of these during the course of the inspection, and found them to be comprehensive, person centred and were evaluated on a regular basis. This gives staff the information they need to look after people on an individual basis. We looked at the medication. We found that the home have good policies and procedures in place, and that staff who give medications are trained to do so. People said that the activities are varied and that they are tailored to individual preferences. We observed the lunch. People confirmed that the food is good and that they are given a choice. Staff who were assisting people were doing so in a discreet manner. Staff are trained to respect people`s differences and value their opinions, to treat people with dignity and respect their privacy.The home has a complaints procedure in place and would respond to any complaints quickly. This means that any problems are resolved and people are satisfied with the outcome. Since the last Inspection, there have been no complaints to the Commission which have shown that the service was at fault. Staff and people spoken with told us that that there are sufficient staff employed at the home and they have been trained in how to keep the people they care for safe. They said that the staff have knowledge about the homes procedures, why they are in place and what they are for. Some staff have vocational qualifications and there was evidence in staff file to confirm that recent training has taken place in Manual Handling, Fire Safety, Safeguarding Adults, Food Hygiene, First Aid and Dignity in Care. We looked at the recruitment record for some recently appointed staff and found them to be in order. Staff and the people spoken with confirmed that the manager is approachable and that they can approach her if they have a problem or concern. Appropriate systems are in place for quality assurance. The company and the manager carry out regular audits. Regular meetings take place for staff, the people who live in the home and relatives. The maintenance certificates seen were up to date, as were the regular safety checks. The deputy manager said that staff will try to offer and continuously build on the care that the home delivers to people and offer support to their families and friends. The manager, Southern Cross Homes Properties Limited who owns the home and other staff keep us up to date with things that have happened since our last key inspection. What the care home could do better: There are no requirements or recommendations made as a result of this visit. The manager should continue to offer and build on the excellent care that the home currently delivers to people and offer support to their families and friends. Random inspection report
Care homes for older people
Name: Address: Abbotts Court Wingate Lane Wheatley Hill Co Durham DH6 3LP 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: Susan Lowther Date: 0 3 0 6 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Abbotts Court Wingate Lane Wheatley Hill Co Durham DH6 3LP 01429820866 01429821010 abbottscourt@schealthcare.co.uk www.southerncrosshealthcare.co.uk Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Donna Elaine Bradwell Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Southern Cross Home Properties Limited care home 39 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 15 dementia old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: 24 0 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 39 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 categories: Old age, not falling within any other category - Code OP, maximum number of places: 15 Dementia - Code DE, maximum number of places: 24 Date of last inspection Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 8 Brief description of the care home Abbots Court is located on the edge of the ex mining village of Wheatley Hill, close to local shops and amenities. It is a registered care home, providing personal care and accommodation for 39 people, including up to 24 older people with dementia and 15 older people. Southern Cross Homes Properties Ltd. is the registered provider. The home is a three-storey building, situated in its own grounds, with enclosed garden areas and car parking at the front. Personal accommodation and communal space is located on all floors. Service areas e.g. kitchen and laundry are located on the ground floor. There are 39 single bedrooms, all with wash hand basins, and 26 with en suite facilities. Most bedrooms are suitable for wheelchair users and are of good size. The weekly fees vary. The fee covers all accommodation, meals and personal care. Hairdressing, toiletries, newspapers, plus services from private opticians, dentists and chiropodists are not included in the fee. The actual amount people pay will depend upon their individual circumstances. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 8 What we found:
This random unannounced inspection of Abbotts Court took place on the 3 June 2010. Two inspectors carried out the visit which lasted 3 hours. The purpose of the visit was to check whether people who use the service still experience excellent outcomes. Before the visit we looked at information we have received since the last visit, how the service dealt with any complaints and concerns since the last visit and any changes to how the home is run. During the visit we talked with people who use the service and staff. We looked at information about the people and how well their needs are met. We looked at other records which must be kept, checked that staff had the knowledge, skills and training to meet the needs of the people they care for, looked around the building to make sure it was clean, safe and comfortable, and checked what improvements had been made since the last visit. A good standard of care is provided for the people who live at the home. People said they enjoyed living there, and that the staff were kind and helpful and that the food was good. The environment was in the main nicely decorated and well maintained. Staff were motivated and enthusiastic about their work. We told the deputy manager what we found, and that the people who use the service continue to experience excellent outcomes. What the care home does well:
Since the last key inspection the manager has been registered with CQC. There were no requirements made at that inspection. The manager and the owners have made further improvements to the home. Staff told us that they are replacing some of the homes soft furnishings to make them more attractive and comfortable. The deputy manager told us that all of the people who live at the home have a personal care plan which informs the staff how they can support them and meet their needs. We looked at a sample of these during the course of the inspection, and found them to be comprehensive, person centred and were evaluated on a regular basis. This gives staff the information they need to look after people on an individual basis. We looked at the medication. We found that the home have good policies and procedures in place, and that staff who give medications are trained to do so. People said that the activities are varied and that they are tailored to individual preferences. We observed the lunch. People confirmed that the food is good and that they are given a choice. Staff who were assisting people were doing so in a discreet manner. Staff are trained to respect peoples differences and value their opinions, to treat people with dignity and respect their privacy.
Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 8 The home has a complaints procedure in place and would respond to any complaints quickly. This means that any problems are resolved and people are satisfied with the outcome. Since the last Inspection, there have been no complaints to the Commission which have shown that the service was at fault. Staff and people spoken with told us that that there are sufficient staff employed at the home and they have been trained in how to keep the people they care for safe. They said that the staff have knowledge about the homes procedures, why they are in place and what they are for. Some staff have vocational qualifications and there was evidence in staff file to confirm that recent training has taken place in Manual Handling, Fire Safety, Safeguarding Adults, Food Hygiene, First Aid and Dignity in Care. We looked at the recruitment record for some recently appointed staff and found them to be in order. Staff and the people spoken with confirmed that the manager is approachable and that they can approach her if they have a problem or concern. Appropriate systems are in place for quality assurance. The company and the manager carry out regular audits. Regular meetings take place for staff, the people who live in the home and relatives. The maintenance certificates seen were up to date, as were the regular safety checks. The deputy manager said that staff will try to offer and continuously build on the care that the home delivers to people and offer support to their families and friends. The manager, Southern Cross Homes Properties Limited who owns the home and other staff keep us up to date with things that have happened since our last key inspection. What they could do better: 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 Older People Page 5 of 8 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 Older People Page 6 of 8 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 Care Homes for Older People Page 7 of 8 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 Older People 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 Older People Page 8 of 8 - 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!
