Care Home: Horncliffe House

What the care home does well The residents in this home are well cared for. We observed staff chatting to residents frequently. Staff were polite and friendly as they went about their duties. Staff meet residents to assess their care and support needs before deciding if the home can meet their needs effectively. Staff are knowledgeable about residents needs and residents said they are very happy in the home. One resident said "The home is wonderful. We couldn`t get better" Another resident said "We couldn`t get better staff than the ones here." Residents health needs are well met district nurses visit as needed and medication is managed well. Routines in the home are quite flexible and residents spoken to said that they can choose when they get up and go to bed and whether they want to join in activities. Meals are varied and well presented. Special diets are provided as needed . Residents feel they are listened to and any concerns acted upon. The home is clean, tidy and well maintained making Horncliffe House a pleasant place to live. One resident said her room was lovely and comfortable. Staff training is good. This keeps staff skills and knowledge up to date. The manager is approachable and residents and relatives said he is always willing to help. Systems are in place for quality assurance to ensure care practice is up to date and effective. There are staff meetings and the manager regularly talks to residents and relatives to check they are happy with the care provided. What the care home could do better: All staff must have a fitness check from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) for Horncliffe house. One person had a CRB which was recent but from another organisation. This is not acceptable and a PoVA and CRB check must be made by the home when employing a member of staff. The home owner needs to visit the home monthly and speak to residents and staff and look around so he can check the home is being managed well. Inspecting for better lives Random inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Horncliffe House 35 Horncliffe Road Blackpool Lancashire FY4 1LJ two star good 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 assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. This is a report of a random inspection of this care home. A random inspection is a short, focussed inspection. 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: Pauline Caulfield Date: 1 0 0 3 2 0 0 9 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Horncliffe House 35 Horncliffe Road Blackpool Lancashire FY4 1LJ 01253341576 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Monami Care Ltd care home 24 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 24 old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: 0 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 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 24 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Horncliffe House is situated in the south of Blackpool near Highfield Road shopping centre in a residential area close to local bus routes. The home is registered for 24 older people. The building is set in its own grounds with garden areas to the front and back of the premises. Seating is provided for the residents and a ramp is available for wheelchairs at the front of the building. The bedrooms are all en- suite with one double room. There are two lounges and a conservatory with a separate dining area. A lift provides access to the first and second floors and there are toilet and bathing facilities Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 11 Brief description of the care home with aids and adaptations fitted for the residents use. The fees at the home range from 325 pounds to 375 pounds per week. There are additional charges made for hairdressing and chiropody, which may vary. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 11 What we found: The reason for this inspection was to check that the good 2 star rating given at the last key inspection is still valid and that nothing has changed. We looked at all the key standards. The outcome is as follows and shows that although some areas of record keeping need attention the outcome for residents is still good and the good 2 star rating is still valid. We spoke with the acting manager throughout the inspection. She has been managing the home for nearly twelve months. We case tracked two residents. This included looking at case tracked residents care records and the environment they live in, talking to the residents and the staff supporting them and observing staff interactions with them. This is not to the exclusion of other residents who were also spoken to. Both residents had assessments of care needs and these were in place before they were admitted to the home. This means that staff are aware of their specific care needs and know whether they can meet these. Care plans and risk assessments were in place for all residents. They had been regularly reviewed and the information in place was up to date. Residents likes and dislikes are in place as are hobbies and pastimes. There is an activity record which shows what residents have been involved in. Residents daily records are updated three times each day so there is a detailed account of the days activities and any issues that may have arisen. There are also monthly reports/reviews. We discussed including a detailed life history in the care records. The acting manager was very enthusiastic about this explaining ways she would involve residents and staff and develop activities around searching out this information. The local library may be able to provide library books to assist the home with this. None of the residents case tracked had been involved in any accident and no-one in the home had fallen recently, but the manager was aware of the need to audit to see if any lessons could be learnt or accidents reduced if accidents/falls occurred. Medication was appropriately administered, recorded, stored and disposed of. Creams, drops and ointments were dated on opening. Unused tablets and liquid medicines are returned to the pharmacy each month. Risk assessments for medication are kept in the medicine file and regularly reviewed. Residents have access to appropriate health services. There are regular GP and District Nurses visits. Residents said staff were wonderful, kind and caring. Residents and relatives were very positive about the care they received. One resident said The home is wonderful. We couldnt get better Another resident said We couldnt get better staff than the ones here. It was a sunny warm afternoon during the inspection and some residents wanted the patio doors open. Staff made sure those close to the door were offered blankets so they did not get chilly while enjoying the pleasant weather. One resident with limited communication was wrapped up cosily and checked frequently as staff Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 11 were aware that she easily got cold. Others were asked regularly if they wanted the doors shut or were getting cold. There are regular activities as well as staff spending time sitting and chatting with residents. Activities include bingo, dominoes, memory card sessions, board games, carpet bowls, DVD film shows, play your cards right and quizs. There are entertainers visit weekly as well as sing alongs and karaoke sessions with the staff and happy hour for residents each day where their favourite drinks are served. Notices of various activities are posted about the home reminding residents and their families of the times of activities. Residents spoken to said that the activities were usually fun. One resident said, The sing alongs can be a good laugh. We were able to discreetly observe staff and residents during the inspection there was a lot of talking and laughter with very frequent interaction between staff and residents and with residents sat together. Routines in the home are flexible and residents spoken to said that they can choose when they get up and go to bed and whether they want to join in activities. Residents said they are treated with respect by staff. There are two choices at each meal and the chef checks what residents would like. He offers alternatives to anyone who does not want the choices offered and is aware of residents likes and dislikes. All current residents are nominally Christian or have no religious persuasion. Residents who want to can see the ministers of their choice and there is a notice in the hallway reminding residents of this. The manager said they would support residents of other religions if they wished to live at Horncliffe House. Residents spoken to said they knew who to complain to if they had any concerns but they were happy in Horncliffe House. A resident spoken to said she would tell the staff if she had any concerns but she hadnt needed to. There have been no complaints since the last inspection. The acting manager chats frequently with residents and checks if there are any minor niggles and deals with these quickly so they do not become big problems. The acting manager said staff have received some safeguarding adults training and have an understanding of the action to be taken if they are alerted to a safeguarding issue. We toured the home and found the environment comfortable, homely, clean, tidy and well maintained. Residents said the home was comfortable. One resident said, I like my room. It is cosy and warm. Aids and adaptations are in place to help residents get about more easily and to be as safe and as independent as they can be. Specialist mobility aids were seen as we were touring the building. There is a large private back garden for relaxing in and a large front garden frequently used in the summer where residents sit and chat to people passing. Residents spoken to as we toured the building were complimentary about the staff. One resident said of Horncliffe House, It is almost as good as being at home. Another resident said, The staff are so good, so willing to do anything for you. A lot of the staff have worked in the home for several years and there is only a small staff turnover. This ensures that staff are familiar with residents and their care needs and residents know the people caring for them. The acting manager has been the senior Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 11 care in the home for some years. She has been acting manager for almost a year as the registered manager has been off sick. Staff rotas showed sufficient staff on duty doing the inspection. Residents and staff felt that there were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to provide good care. Staff recruitment records were checked. There had only been one new member of staff since the acting manager had been managing the home. We checked two members of staff one new and one longer term member of staff. Both applicants had provided suitable identification. The application form for the longer term member of staff showed an incomplete work history. The applicant had a reference from a home but no record on the application form of having worked there. However from the reference it is clear that she had worked there. We discussed this with the acting manager and she was not involved in appointing this member of staff. When she had appointed a member of staff she had made sure that the applicant had a full work history. Therefore we are not making a requirement about the work history. The application form from a few months ago had a complete work history including the month and year of any changes of employment. It was clear that the acting manager had looked at gaps in employment and had made a note of these as well as noting discrepancies in other information. However the acting manager had accepted a CRB received by another organisation. It was less than a week old when she received it and she thought this was acceptable. CRBs are not transferable and a new CRB certificate is needed for all applicants, regardless of any other checks the applicant may have had or how recent they may have been. Both staff checked had received an induction and other appropriate training. One had completed NVQ training and the other was working towards it. Staff are encouraged to work towards NVQ training as soon as their induction is completed. Most staff are working towards or have completed National vocational qualifications (NVQ). These are national awards in care that enable staff to gain up to date skills and knowledge about current care practice. The acting manager has been the senior care in the home for several years. She has been the acting manager since April 2008. She has found the position interesting and has learnt many new skills during this time. Residents spoken to said she is kind and approachable. Staff said she is helpful and supportive. One member of staff said, She has done a really good job. I have always found her really supportive. Systems are in place for quality assurance. There are regular staff meeting and residents meeting as well as questionnaires sent out to residents and relatives at least yearly. The owners have frequent communication with the manager and visit regularly. They carry out regulation 26 visits but these are not monthly and must be. Regulation 26 visits are where the owner makes an unannounced visit at least monthly and talks to residents and staff, checks paperwork and tours the home. The owner must then provide a report about the visit and send a copy to the home and make available a copy to CSCI if requested. The fire risk assessment is in place. There are regular recorded fire alarm and emergency light checks. Health and safety checks are in place. We observed good moving and handling techniques using appropriate equipment and good care practices Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 11 throughout the inspection. What the care home does well: 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 7 of 11 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes R No £ 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 1 37 17,26 A responsible person monthly must undertake visits to the home, with records required by regulation kept, under Regulation 26. 30/09/2007 Care Homes for Older People Page 8 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 1 29 19 Care staff working in 30/03/2009 Horncliffe House must have a criminal records bureau (CRB) disclosure, which relates to that place of work. This is to ensure that only suitable people are employed in the home. 2 37 26 There must be monthly unannounced visits carried out by the owner, where he talks to residents and staff and inspects the home. He must then prepare a written report on the conduct of the home. This is so they know how the care home is being managed. 10/04/2009 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 1 7 Staff should develop life histories with residents so that they have information about important people and places in Page 9 of 11 Care Homes for Older People 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 the life of the resident. Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 11 Reader Information Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report CSCI 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 or Textphone: or 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. Copyright © (2009) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Older People 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!