Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 16th 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 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.
For extracts, read the latest CQC inspection for Alnbank.
Annual service review
Name of Service: Alnbank The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: three star excellent service 1 3 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: Carole McKay Date of this annual service review: 1 4 1 0 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 6 Information about the service
Address of service: Alnmouth Road Alnwick Northumberland NE66 2PR 01665603584 01665606039 dorothy.kent@northhumberlandcaretrust.nhs.u k Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:
Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : learning disability Conditions of registration: Northumberland County Council SSD Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 10 0 The maximum number of servcie users who can be accommodated is: 10 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: 10 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 Alnbank is converted from a Georgian family home set in grounds that include lawns, a shrubbery and orchard. It is owned by Northumberland County Council and now provides care and support for up to 10 adults who have a learning disability. The home is situated on the fringe of the historic town of Alnwick with its many facilities and transport links to other areas. The home has 10 single bedrooms one of which has ensuite toilet and hand basin. On the ground floor there is a large lounge and separate dining room. Upstairs there is another small lounge and a kitchenette. The home has 3
Annual Service Review Page 2 of 6 1 3 0 2 2 0 0 9 bathroom/toilets and 2 shower/toilets for residents. Inspection reports and information about the home are readily available. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 6 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. 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 gave us all the information we asked for. We looked at the information in the AQAA and our judgement is that the home is still providing an excellent service and that they know what further improvements they need to make. The AQQA tells us that the service has responded to the wishes of the people who live there in the following ways: mealtimes have been made more flexible, the preferences of each individual are taken into account in menu planning, service users have more varied activities and are more involved in choosing furniture and other facilities in the communal areas of the home and can select the furniture they have in their own rooms. The service has identified the areas that it needs to continue to improve upon. Among these is - improve methods of communication, ( both verbal and non-verbal ), in particular around feedback form residents and monitoring of their needs and wishes. People living in the home tell us that they are happy there, that they can make decisions and that they are treated well. The things that they like about the home were commented on as follows; going on outings, can eat when I want to, food, bedroom, own T.V.. Annual Service Review Page 4 of 6 Some people would like more outings. We received comments from four professionals who know the home. All are satisfied with the quality of the care. One comment was They have been proactive in seeking specialist support when they identify difficulties. I have found the team to be committed to meeting peoples needs and have observed them make changes to their practice on receiving professional advice. And another person described the service as; very person focused- and very receptive to working with outside professionals. The staff surveys showed us that the staff of the service receive the right amount of support and training that they need to deliver care and meet the needs of the service users. The home continues to let us know about things that have happened since our last key inspection and they have shown that they have managed issues well. 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 13 February 2012 . 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 6 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:
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