Care Home: Freeman House

Annual service review Name of Service: Freeman House The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service 2 8 1 0 2 0 0 8 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: Alison Butler Date of this annual service review: 2 6 1 0 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 6 Information about the service Address of service: Radburn Way Letchworth Hertfordshire SG6 2LH 01462488000 01462488064 freeman@quantumcare.co.uk www.quantumcare.co.uk Quantum Care Limited Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:   Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : dementia old age, not falling within any other category physical disability Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 0 0 48 48 48 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 Built circa 1965, Freeman House is a large three storey building located in a residential neighbourhood of Letchworth close to local shops and amenities. The home is furnished to a good standard and provides a comfortable and reasonably homely environment that belies the rather stark external appearance. Accommodation is provided on three floors served by a lift. There are communal lounges and a kitchenette/dining room on each floor as well as a functions room on the ground floor. All bedrooms are singles, although provision can be made for couples who wish to share. Additional rooms comprise a hairdressing room, staff room and various offices. Accommodation can be provided for visitors if required. There is a car park to the front of the building and a pleasant garden to the rear. The home provides a growing range Annual Service Review Page 2 of 6 2 8 1 0 2 0 0 8 of weekly activities, with visits from outside entertainers, days out and regular social events. The homes Statement of Purpose, Service Users Guide and last inspection report are displayed in the entrance hall. For up to date fees for the home contact should be made with the manager. 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 the information that we have received, or asked for, since the last key inspection 28th October 2008 This included:- The Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) that was sent to us by the manager. The AQAA is a self assessment that focuses on how outcomes are being met for people using the service. It also gave us some numerical information about the service. - Surveys- these are sent to the home to get the views of those living there, about the care and support they receive. - Information we have about how the service has managed any complaints. - What the service has told us about the things that have happened in the service, these are called Notifications and are a legal requirement. - The previous 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 has this told us about the service? The manager returned the completed Annual Quality Assurance Assessment and we looked at the information provided. In our judgement the home is still providing a good service. The manager states that they ensure that they seek the views of the residents and or their relatives at their review meetings and the homes yearly forum also, as part of the monthly regulation 26 visit, a senior member of the organisation comes to the home and spends time talking with residents, staff and visitors to find out their views and any concerns they may have about the running of the home. as a result of listening to the views they have changed the colour scheme of the lounges and rearranged the seating, they now grow fruit and vegetables in the garden, made changes to the menu and have looked at different places of interest to visit. With regard to equality and diversity the manager states they have policies and procedures in place, staff receive an induction programme and on going training. The care plans are individual and reflect each persons particular preferences and needs. Some of the barriers for improvement have been changes in staff, they have tried to reduce this by making sure staff are kept informed and are supported and encouraged to make their views and bring new ideas to the whole team. for the benefit of the residents. The manager states that Freeman House is a home from home and welcomes all new residents and families. The manager states they provide a high quality of care and privacy and dignity is respected and they encourage residents to be independent where possible. The manager states they offer a good range of activities, they seek feedback from residents, relatives and professionals to help make improvements to the service to the benefit of the residents. Comments received from surveys include they seem organised raise concerns and ask for other professional support e.g. District nurse It is an excellent care home Staff particularly helpful you have the time of your life no complaints Staff are always there if you need them treats all residents respectfully and with friendly Annual Service Review Page 4 of 6 smiles good expertise with dementia good training they look after families as well as the residents promote person centred care Good consistency of Staff. Some comments received to improve the home include Leadership from manager show by example work together as a team for residents to be able to join social clubs outside the home go to local football/rugby games for more residents improvement in communication would improve morale at times laundry as it sometimes gets lost What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? We can inspect the service at any time we have any concerns about the care provided but there is no indication at this time that an inspection is required in the immediate future. The next key inspection of this service will be undertaken in line with our methodology unless information received suggests that an earlier visit is necessary, as with all care services information will continue to be gathered over the intervening period. The homes performance will be subject to a process of continual assessment and evaluation in the light of any information received, with appropriate regulatory action being taken as indicated. 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. 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