Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 6th May 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 Heatherstones.
What the care home does well People who use the service are well cared for. Their individual needs are taken into account and the care is person centred. The manager and staff treat people well and are very mindful of people`s dignity when providing any support. Staff communicate well with people using a variety of methods such as communication boards, touch and facial expression. People`s health needs are managed well. In the AQAA, the manager said, `All cients have individual health action plans and OK Health Check focusing on health surveilance and improving health.` He also said they work well with other health practitioners such as GP`s (General Practitioners), speech and language therapists and dieticians. Staff are well trained and can demonstrate how their training has improved the service for people, for example, individualised training on posture support for people. The home is well managed. The interests of people who use the service are seen as important to the manager and staff and are safeguarded and respected. What the care home could do better: We have not made any requirements or recommendations as a result of this inspection visit. The manager did however say that staffing levels would be kept under review tomake sure the leisure needs of people who use the service are fully met. Random inspection report
Care homes for adults (18-65 years)
Name: Address: Heatherstones 1a/1b Heatherstones Queensgate Halifax West Yorkshire HX3 0DH 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: Dawn Navesey Date: 0 6 0 5 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Heatherstones 1a/1b Heatherstones Queensgate Halifax West Yorkshire HX3 0DH 01422369724 01422369724P/F Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: www.st-annes.org.uk Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mr Gerard Wainwright Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : St Anne`s Community Services care home 8 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 0 learning disability physical disability Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home 8 8 Heatherstones is registered to provide nursing care and accommodation for eight adults with a learning disability. All of the people who live there have complex health care needs. St Annes Community Services, a charitable organisation manages the home. Heatherstones is a purpose built bungalow in a residential area near Savile Park in central Halifax. The church and local shops are within walking distance and it takes
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 11 Brief description of the care home approximately 5 minutes when travelling by car to the town of Halifax, and 10 to 15 minutes on foot. The home is also on a bus route. The interior of the building comprises; 8 single bedrooms, 2 bathrooms/toilets. 2 separate toilets, 1 shower and toilet, 2 kitchen/dining rooms, 2 lounges, one with adjoining conservatory and a laundry. The fees for the home are available by contacting the manager. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 11 What we found:
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. - 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, which was carried out on 15th May 2007 and annual service reviews that have taken place since then. - Relevant information from other organisations. - What other people have told us about the service. - One inspector also carried out an unannounced visit to the home on 6th May 2010 and was at the home from 10.40am until 1.20pm. During the visit we spent time with people living in the home and spoke to the staff and the registered manager. - We also sent surveys to people who use the service and staff. A number of these have been returned from staff and comments made have been used in this report. The home sent us their annual quality asssurance assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. It was clear and gave us all the information we asked for. They are aware of improvements they need to make to the service. For example, the manager said he wanted to share knowledge within the staff team to further develop staffs skills , to complete a sensory bathroom and adapt the garden area to better meet the needs of the people who live at the home and to look for opportunities for more evening activities for people who use the service. He also told us of a number of improvements made at the home in the last 12 months. He said they have introduced visual summaries of support into peoples care plans and have introduced individual meal time guidance for people to make sure they get the support they need. He also said they had increased leisure opportunities for people. These have included, evening social clubs, more church involvement and hydrotherapy sessions. The manager also said in the AQAA, that peoples health was improved. He said there had been a reduction in hospital admissions, they had introduced care summaries for people to take into hospital in emergencies, provided cards with essential health information for people who use the service to carry with them and given the staff further training on
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 11 palliative care and pain relief management. People who use the service were not able to comment on it due to the complexity of their communication skills. However, they were able to smile and show they were satisfied with the service they received when we spent time with them. Also, the home had received comments from peoples relatives in feedback questionnaires, thank you cards and letters. These are some of the things they said: Care is excellent I really appreciate all you do for (name of person) The care, love, kindness and devotion given to (name of person) by all the staff was evident in everything they did for her. Nothing was too much trouble. People looked well cared for clean, tidy and well groomed. Staff were patient, gentle and kind when interacting with people. They were discreet and respectful of peoples dignity when attending to any personal care needs. They gave reassurance and explanations for any tasks that they needed to support people with. They had good communication skills with the people they support. One staff said, The staff at present are all good communicators with the service users and act well on individuals behalf. Staff were familiar with peoples needs and could talk confidently about the support they give. Staff were able to describe peoples preferred routines with regard to their support and what works well for people. Staff said they found the care plans, especially the visual summaries, useful and they had all the information they needed for them to be able to give good support. Other comments they made included: Staff team is proactive and thinks about the wellbeing of all the service users All residents have regular person centred planning The home makes sure the service users have individualised care. When asked what the home does well, one staff said, Promotes dignity and respect by providing privacy and encouraging individual choice and autonomy. The manager told us that one person who lives at the home does paid work for the organisation in assisting with the recruitment of staff and is currently making plans to be a board member of the organisation. This will enable them to represent others in the organisation. Staff said they received training in meeting the health needs of the people who use the service. For example, training on epilepsy management, peoples nutritional needs and preventing choking and how to manage peoples pressure area care. Staff gave good responses on how they would recognise medical emergencies and what they would do in the event of one. They all said they were trained in emergency aid. A number of health professionals who visit the home had completed a survey at the home. We looked at these and saw that they had all rated the home good or excellent. Their comments included: It is always a pleasure to go into Heatherstones
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 11 Staff are always friendly and approachable and they treat their patients with a great amount of respect Staff maintain professionalism at all times Excellent quality of care provided. The manager told us that the home has achieved a nationally recognised award in the provision of palliative care, working with other health professionals in providing this when needed. People who live at the home are involved in a variety of activities. These include day centre placements, hydrotherapy, shopping trips, walks in the local area, use of local clubs and churches. Staff said that one person also enjoys watching local sports activities that take place in the park across the road from the home and can be seen from within the home. Staff also arrange activity within the home such as pamper sessions, hand massage and make use of the very well equipped sensory room with people. On the day of our visit, one person was out at the day centre. Others were watching television, listening to music or generally interacting with staff. One person was clearly enjoying time spent in the kitchen with staff while they were preparing food and clearing up after the meal. Some staff said they would benefit from more staff at times to provide more activity and outings in the community. There are usually 4 or 5 staff on during the day, this includes the manager, and most people need 2 staff to accompany them on outings. This means that opportunities can be limited at times. In returned surveys, most staff said they usually had enough staff, however their comments included: Sometimes there is not enough staff on shift which limits the amount of time that can be spent with service users and the amount of leisure that can be provided Staffing levels at times are low and we can struggle on an afternoon shift When we asked what they thought the home could do better, one staff said, Extra staff on occasions, more outings. Staff also said that people who live at the home have all had a holiday in the last year and that plans are underway for this years holidays. One person is going on a cruise to Ireland and Europe. Staff said this will also give the person an opportunity to meet up with family who live abroad. We discussed staffing levels with the manager and he said he has recently reviewed this and is in the process of putting a proposal together for additional staffing. He said this would be used to increase leisure opportunities for people. We observed the lunch time meal. This was unhurried, relaxed and calm. Staff gave the support needed in a discreet and respectful manner. In the AQAA, the manager said they had not received any complaints in the last 12
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 11 months. We have not received any concerns about the service either. Staff were able to say what action they would take if they suspected abuse or had an allegation of abuse made to them. They were also able to describe the different types of abuse. All staff were clear on their responsibility to report abuse or allegations of abuse and confirmed they had up to date training. The manager is familiar with the local authority safeguarding referral system. This means people are properly protected. Staff spoke highly of their training and support. They said: A very supportive manager, a very strong team Can approach our manager with a sense of confidentiality and any problems are discussed well Training and guidance from the nursing staff is very good We get regular updates and are pushed to develop ourselves in our work. The manager of the home is a registered nurse and has many years experience of both working with people who have learning disabilities and managing the home. He is also suitably qualified to run and manage the home. He leads the staff team well. Staff said he is very supportive and approachable and makes sure the needs of the people who use the service come first. In the AQAA, the manager indicated that all health and safety matters in the home are up to date. Arrangements are in place to make sure working practices are safe. What the care home does well: What they could do better:
We have not made any requirements or recommendations as a result of this inspection visit. The manager did however say that staffing levels would be kept under review to
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 11 make sure the leisure needs of people who use the service are fully met. 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 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!
