Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 9th November 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 Good.
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 Acorn Retirement Home.
Annual service review
Name of Service: Acorn Retirement Home The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service 0 6 0 2 2 0 0 9 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: Wendy Grainger Date of this annual service review: 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service
Address of service: 102 Birmingham Road Walsall West Midlands WS1 2NJ 01922624314 01922634549 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 Lloyd Davies,Mrs Margaret Davies Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 18 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 18 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 (OP) 18 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 Acorn retirement home is a large detached house situated in an established residential area set back from a main route close to Walsall town centre. The house has well maintained and pleasant gardens to the rear and car parking space at the front. The home has been adapted for provision of care to older people.The home is owned and managed by one of the providers. There is also a deputy manager with an established staff team consisting of care staff,catering and housekeeping. 0 6 0 2 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 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 information we had received, or requested since the last key inspection in February 2009. This included: The Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) that was completed and returned to us by the service. Completion of the AQAA is a legal requirement and it enables the service to undertake a self assessment, which focuses on how well outcomes are being met for the people using the service. The AQAA also provides us with numerical information. What the service has told us about things that have occurred in the service, these are called notifications and are a legal requirement. We had forwarded surveys to the service for the people using the service and the staff. Surveys provide us with information of the outcomes for people using the service and comments from staff employed at the service. What has this told us about the service? The service returned the AQAA to us within the requested timescale. It was clear, informative and comprehensive providing all the information we requested. They told us how they met equality and diversity, which included : They ensure prior to admission that each persons cultural, spiritual, dietary and age related needs are assessed. Each persons care plan reflect the persons view. The service has an equal opportunities policy ensuring that staff and people using the service are treated with respect. Discrimination is not tolerated in any form. Staff were in the process of enhancing their knowledge with training for hearing impaired people, further promoting equality and diversity. The AQAA told us how the service had improved in the last twelve months: The service has reviewed and updated the care plans and assessment procedures. Families have been encouraged to be more involved in the risk assessments and formally agreeing the care plan which has proved to be helpful with the whole process of choice of the service. The service has reviewed the care plans and feel that they are robust and reflect peoples needs, the service is planning to develop them further by investing in the End of Life Care Planning programme. The service views the safe administration of medication as a high priority, staff are appropriately trained by accessing a University accredited course. Activities are planned based on peoples interests to provide a variety of interests, including hobbies. Annual garden parties and coffee morning are arranged. Visitors can evidence the outings arranged from the photographs displayed. Consultation takes place regarding the weekly/daily menu offering choice, special tastes and needs are catered for. A feature that has developed with one person dining Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 with her husband for Sunday lunch. Staff are trained in Adult Protection, ensuring that people using the service are treated with respect at all times. Full details of the complaints process is made available to any person using the service and their families. The service plans to further enhanse staff training to ensure that staff have current knowledge of any new legislation. Arrangements are in place for training for the Mental Capacity Act. Since the last key inspection the provider continues to update and refurbish the service this has included: Decorating the dining room, some chairs in the lounge had been replaced. Wardrobes have been secured to the walls. This protects the individual using the room. The fridge/freezer has been replaced. We are vigilant about the spread of infection and try to eliminate any risks with infection control measures by suppling a hand cleanser to use on arrival at the service. The AQAA told us that the service has a low turn over with 0 staff turn over in the last twelve months. This provides a stable consistent life style for the people using the service. The AQAA told us that the service has a robust recruitment procedure. Ensuring that references, Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) are obtained prior to employment. Staff training is kept under review, the training matrix identifies any areas which need updating or current training to meet legislation. Over 50 of the staff have achieved a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ). The registered manager has over 20yrs experience in the caring profession, supported by a deputy manager also with a number of years experience in the caring profession. The management group ensure that the service is operated to the best interest for the people using the service. We had sent out surveys prior to the Annual Service Review, to the staff and people using the service to seek their opinions of the service and knowledge of the staff. Four completed surveys from the people told us that : They had sufficient information prior to moving to Acorn House. This confirmed the information in the AQAA. Each one received the care and support they needed, the staff are available when they were required, confirming the information in the AQAA provided. Each person told us they were aware of the process to make a formal complaint or who to speak to if they had a problem. The surveys confirmed information in the AQAA which told us the service is always fresh and clean. Additional comments included: Im vey happy here, Look after us very well indeed, Makes me feel good about myself, Im well looked after by everyone, Take care of us all. We received two surveys completed by the staff who told us: They were provided with current information regarding the needs of the people in the service. They confirmed information in the AQAA that checks were made about them prior to their employment. They were well supported by the management and training was relevant to their
Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 working practices. Information in the AQAA was further confirmed by the staff who knew how to use the complaints procedure. Additional comments included: We look after the people and their families and friends when they visit, The manager looks after the staff, I dont think we could do better its fine. We provide a warm, caring and welcoming home, We listen to and endeavor to meet individuals needs by encouraging independence and support, Friends are welcome to join in all our outings and celebrations. 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 the 22cd October 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 6 of 7 Reader Information
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