Care Home: Howard Castle Care Centre

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What the care home does well Each person has in place an individual plan that is regularly updated to show their care needs and the support they need. Assessment and audit tools are well used to ensure that peoples` needs are identified. The records seen were up to date and contained good examples of recording. People living in the home were satisfied with the care and support they receive from staff. There was a relaxed atmosphere and peoples` individuality was respected. Good systems are in place for ordering, administering and storing medicines to protect people and ensure that they have the medicines they need. Complaints polices and procedures protect people living in the home. Staff have receivedsafeguarding training and know the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made. The public areas of the home provide comfortable and homely accommodation that suits the needs of the people living in the home. Good staff recruitment procedures protect people living in the home. Good staff training is provided to ensure that staff have the skills to meet peoples` needs. Staff are well supported by the senior staff team to do their jobs. Health and safety checks are carried out regularly to ensure that people living in the home and the staff are safe. What the care home could do better: Medicine administration records should be coountersigned by two people to reduce the risk of errors when copying information. This protects the people living in the home. Window frames should be checked and repaired or replaced as necessary to ensure the comfort and well being of people living in the home. The adequacy of the current shaft lift should be reviewed and steps taken to make sure that this works appropriately to ensure that people are able access the ground and first floor as necessary. Some pull cords in bathrooms and toilets are dirty and potentially a cross infection risk to people using them. Two pots of cream/ointment was left in two bathrooms, only one had a presciption label identifying who it belonged to. This presents a risk of cross infection. Corridors are scuffed with paintwork and wallpaper damaged in places. One en-suite hand basin was cracked and leaking, but had been temporarily mended with silicone. This basin needs replaced to prevent leaks and possible infection control issues. Random inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Howard Castle Care Centre Dacre Street Morpeth Northumberland NE61 1HW 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 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: Anne UrwinBrown Date: 1 0 0 6 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Howard Castle Care Centre Dacre Street Morpeth Northumberland NE61 1HW 01670-510634 01670513529 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: www.europeancare.co.uk Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mr Paul Roper Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : European Care (England) Ltd care home 40 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 40 old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home 0 The home is a large two-storey building that has undergone considerable alteration to provide a care home environment. Situated near the centre of Morpeth, the home is within easy walking distance of the local shops and amenities. A small, enclosed car park is available with ramped access to the home. There are large, level landscaped gardens at the front of the house with a spacious and well-used patio area. The home can accommodate up to forty service users including those with nursing needs. The home has thirty-six bedrooms, four of which are registered as double rooms. Fourteen of the bedrooms have en-suite facilities. There is one main dining room and three lounges. There are a number of assisted bathing and shower facilities on each floor Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 10 Brief description of the care home and one passenger lift. The fees for the home range from £450 to £650. Further information about the home can be obtained from the service user guide, which is available in the home. This contains the statement of purpose and previous inspection reports. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 10 What we found: This random inspection was carried out on 10 June 2010. As part of this inspection we looked at the action taken to address requirements and recommendations made at the last key inspection as well as other areas of the delivery of care. Each person has an individual plan that provides clear information about their needs and how these are met by staff. Plans are updated regularly to ensure that they reflect the current needs of each person. Assessment and audits are well used to ensure that changes are identified. Evidence was in place to show that peoples emotional needs are identified. Individual risk assessments are in place that identify risks and how these are minimised for each individual. Care plans seen were up to date and in good order. Records relating to administration of medicines are generally well maintained. Staff receive appropriate training before administering medicines. The arrangements for the storage of medicines are satisfactory. It was noted that hand written entries on the medicine administration (MAR) sheets are not always countersigned to reduce the risk of error when copying information and this was a recommendation of the last report. People said that they receive good care and staff meet their individual needs. Staff were respectful towards people living in the home during the inspection and there was a relaxed atmosphere. Good systems are in place for dealing with complaints. One complaint had been received since the last inspection and information was available to confirm that action had been taken to address the complaint, although one area relating to the state of a bedroom window had not been fully addressed. The complaint referred to the physical standards in the home and not to any care related issues. Staff have received safeguarding training and can describe the action to be taken in the event of an allegation being made. People living in the home said that they felt able to talk to staff if they had any concerns. During the inspection it was noted that some of the wooden window frames are rotting, ill fitting and require repainting. In some bedrooms these are very draughty. These windows give the home a run down appearance at the front of the builiding. Paintwork is damaged and flaking off leaving bare wood. This presents a very shabby appearance particulary at the entrance to the home, giving a poor first impression. The sitting and dining areas are spacious, homely and comfortable. The home was clean and no odours were evident. The gardens are very attractive and provide good views to one side of the house. One the other side there is a view into the courtyard parking area. Two new hoists have been purchased since the last inspection. At the last inspection a recommendation was made that an assessment of the premises be carried out to ensure that suitable and working passenger lifts are in place. There is a shaft lift fitted that is old and at times there are problems with this not working and with sourcing parts to repair it. It was working at the time of this inspection. Staff and people living in the home referred to this during the inspection. Further premises related issues were identified during the inspection: Some pull cords in Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 10 bathrooms and toilets are dirty and are potentially an infection control issue;. Two pots of cream/ointment were left in two bathrooms, only one had a presciption label identifying who it belonged to. These were removed during the inspection as they could present an infection control hazard. Corridors are scuffed with paintwork and wallpaper damaged in places. One en-suite hand basin was cracked and leaking, but had been temporarily mended with silicone. This basin needs replaced to prevent leaks and possible infection control issues. The laundry is still sited over the courtyard in a separate building. The laundry was clean and tidy at the time of this inspection. At the time of this inspection there were three staff on long term sick and the manager was on leave. One person had rung in sick on the day of the inspection and cover was being provided by agency staff. This meant that adequate staff numbers were available to meet peoples needs. It was observed that the agency staff member was supported by staff to be able to fulfil her role. One resident and staff interviewed said that staffing shortages have affected the running of the home. One resident said the staff are incredibly kind and patient. The deputy manager said that they were recruiting staff at the time of the inspection. Records showed that good recruitment procedures are followed to make sure that residents are protected. Individual records contained two written references and evidence of a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau check. Staff training records showed that appropriate training in safe working practices is provided. There is a staff training plan in place and over 50 of staff have achieved national qualifications in care. Staff said that there are enough training opportunities. They said that they feel well supported and that there are team meetings and they feel able to contribute their views at these. Fire alarm tests and other health and safety checks are being updated regularly. Records were in place to confirm this. Systems are in place for auditing the quality of the service and for consulting people living in the home. During the inspection and from questionnaires it was evident that people felt very satisfied with the support offered by staff. People living in the home said staff were very kind and helpful. What the care home does well: Each person has in place an individual plan that is regularly updated to show their care needs and the support they need. Assessment and audit tools are well used to ensure that peoples needs are identified. The records seen were up to date and contained good examples of recording. People living in the home were satisfied with the care and support they receive from staff. There was a relaxed atmosphere and peoples individuality was respected. Good systems are in place for ordering, administering and storing medicines to protect people and ensure that they have the medicines they need. Complaints polices and procedures protect people living in the home. Staff have received Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 10 safeguarding training and know the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made. The public areas of the home provide comfortable and homely accommodation that suits the needs of the people living in the home. Good staff recruitment procedures protect people living in the home. Good staff training is provided to ensure that staff have the skills to meet peoples needs. Staff are well supported by the senior staff team to do their jobs. Health and safety checks are carried out regularly to ensure that people living in the home and the staff are safe. 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 6 of 10 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 Older People Page 7 of 10 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 9 13 Hand written entries on the MAR sheets need to be countersigned and dated to reduce the risk of errors when copying information. This protects the people living in the home. 31/07/2010 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 19 Consideration should be given to redecorating the hallways and corridors in the home which have scuffed and chipped paintwork and damaged wallpaper. Window frames should be checked and repaired or replaced as necessary to ensure the comfort and well being of people living in the home. The adequacy of the current shaft lift should be reviewed and steps taken to make sure that this works appropriately to ensure that people are able access the ground and first floor as necessary. Some pull cords in bathrooms and toilets are dirty. Two pots of cream/ointment was left in two bathrooms, only one had a presciption label identifying who it belonged to. Page 8 of 10 2 19 3 19 4 21 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 These issues present potential risks of cross infection to people using these areas. Corridors are scuffed with paintwork and wallpaper damaged in places. One en-suite hand basin was cracked and leaking, but had been temporarily mended with silicone. This basin needs replaced to prevent leaks and possible infection control issues. Care Homes for Older People Page 9 of 10 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 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 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. 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