Care Home: Langdales Care Home

What the care home does well The residents in this home are well cared for. We observed staff interacting with residents. They were polite and friendly chatting as they went about their duties. Residents are given enough information about the home before admission so they can decide whether they want to live in the home. Staff meet residents to assess their care and support needs before deciding if the home can meet their needs effectively. Care plans are in place for all residents and have most information needed. All care plans are regularly reviewed so information is up to date. 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 so feel protected. The home is clean and tidy and residents said the home was comfortable. This helps make Langdales a pleasant place to live. Staff are well trained. Most staff have completed national vocational qualifications (NVQ) which gives them the skills and knowledge to provide good care. Formal supervision is carried out regularly. This improves care practices in the home and makes sure staff are aware of current care practice and residents needs. What the care home could do better: Although the care plans were up to date, some health information was missing in one file and needs including, so that staff have more information about residents care needs. Some areas of medication management and administration need looking at so that residents are given their medication correctly. Prospective staff need to have a full working history and two written references so that staff are aware of their past work experience and can identify any gaps in employment. This makes it less likely that people who should not work with vulnerable residents can gain employment in the home. Inspecting for better lives Random inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Langdales Care Home 117/119 Hornby Road Blackpool Lancashire FY1 4QP 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: 0 7 0 1 2 0 0 9 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Langdales Care Home 117/119 Hornby Road Blackpool Lancashire FY1 4QP 01253621079 01253754796 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) : Barchester Healthcare Homes Ltd care home 26 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 26 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: 26 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Langdales is registered to provide personal care for 25 male and female older people and 1 named service user in the category of physical disability. The home is situated close to the town centre and comprises of the following accommodation:- two lounges, a dining room and kitchen. Resident accommodation is located on the ground and first floors and comprises of 22 single rooms and 2 double rooms. En suite facilities are available in 12 rooms. A passenger lift is available to facilitate access between the ground and first floor. The home has a ramp at the front entrance to enable access for Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 10 Brief description of the care home people of all abilities. The home has a Statement of Purpose and Service User Guide providing information about the care provided, the qualifications and experience of the owners and staff and the services residents can expect if they choose to live at the home. A copy of the Service User Guide and most recent inspection report is issued to all prospective residents and their relatives/representatives to help them make an informed choice whether to move into the home. The manager said on 7th January 2009 that the fees at the home are from three hundred and sixty one pounds and six pence to four hundred pounds a week covering all aspects of care, food and accommodation. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 10 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 the outcome for residents is still good and the 2 star rating is still valid. We case tracked two residents looking in depth at their care needs and records, their accommodation and speaking to them about their experiences in the home. We also spoke to other residents in the home. Detailed pre-admission assessments were in place for residents case tracked. Service users are assessed, preferably in their home but sometimes in hospital so that staff are aware of their specific care needs and know they can meet these. Detailed preadmission assessments from health and social services as well as Langdales pre admission assessment were in place for residents case tracked. The manager said that they always complete their own assessment regardless of any other. Residents were spoken to about the admission process. One resident said that her relatives had visited the home and liked it. Another resident said she had been placed in a local nursing home and found that although staff were kind all the other residents were very ill and frail and she didnt want to stay. She looked at Langdales liked it and wanted to wanted to stay near where she had lived. She added that she was happy with the home and staff were all very good and caring. She said New staff soon learn how to care properly when they work at Langdales, other staff help and show them. Care plans were in place for residents case tracked. They had most of the information required but there was very limited information on a residents health issue and this health information needs to be in place so staff know how to support her effectively. In addition the religion of one resident was missing. This information is important to ensure that residentss spiritual needs are met. The care plans included most health care and supports needs, a brief life history, residents likes and dislikes and leisure and social activities enjoyed and were regularly reviewed. Risks assessments were in place for all residents so any risks are reduced and managed appropriately. These included waterlow, falls and moving and handling. There are regular individual records in place which clearly describe any issues or concerns. None of the residents case tracked had been involved in any accident and no-one in the home had frequent falls, but the manager was aware of the need to audit to see if any lessons could be learnt or accidents reduced. There were errors or omissions with one residents medication administration. These related mostly to some short term medications prescribed for the resident and were not signed for on several occasions. A monitored dosage system is in use for most medication but most of these medications were not part of this. On checking it was clear that the medication had not been administered on two occasions. It may have been administered on the other occasions but not signed for. Other medication administration checked was satisfactory. The care manager said that Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 10 she audits medication on a regular basis but had not seen the omissions. She immediately investigated these with the manager. Residents have access to appropriate health services. There are regular GP visits and district nurses visit residents. We spent some time observing staff interaction with residents which was positive, caring and friendly. Residents said staff were caring, polite and friendly and said staff were helpful and were available when needed. One resident spoken to said, I have been here a few weeks and already know I like it. I didnt like the previous place so I moved here. Another resident said The staff are excellent here. They are really good and work really hard. 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. According to residents and the manager there are regular activities offered. The activities co-ordinator has just left the home and they were advertising for a new one. Meanwhile all staff are getting involved in activities. A detailed list of activities was seen and resident spoken to confirmed that there were frequent activities and chatted about these. Residents spoken to said the food was very good and they have plenty to eat and drink. Lunch is a set menu, three courses; soup, main meal and sweet, with alternatives available. Lunch was observed, it was well presented and comments from residents were favourable. One resident said, The meals here are very good. I always enjoy them. Another resident said They feed us well here. Relatives are welcomed to the home, making it clear that their visit is valued by the resident and the home. One resident said Staff chat to my relatives and make sure they know I am alright. Residents said they are treated with respect by staff. One resident said, Staff are always cheerful and kind. Residents who want to, see the visiting ministers on their regular visits and services, so residents are able to receive spiritual support. Residents spoken to said they knew who to complain to if they had any concerns but they were happy in Langdales. There have been no complaints since the last key inspection. Staff keep detailed records for all transaction where people using the service are unable to look after their own money. The manager said staff have received training on safeguarding vulnerable adults 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 clean and tidy. There was a problem with the heating on one floor and this was being dealt with throughout the inspection. Residents said that this had occurred earlier and staff had made sure the residents affected all had portable heating to make sure they were warm enough. Residents said the home was very homely and comfortable. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 10 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 aids were seen as we were touring the building. Residents spoken to were complimentary about the staff. 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. Staff rotas showed sufficient staff on duty to care and support residents. The records of two members of staff were checked. Both applicants had an application form but neither had a complete work history. Their work history only went back a few years and had only the year of any changes of employment rather than the month and year of the change as is needed. All prospective staff should provide a complete working history from first to present job to reduce the risk of employing anyone who should not work with vulnerable people. Both members of staff had written references in place. There was also health information in place and all staff had PoVA checks before commencing employment and CRB checks soon after. These measures assist in reducing the risk of unsuitable people working in the home. The staff induction checklist was seen. This is a detailed package that gives staff the skills to work in the home. Twelve out of the fourteen staff employed by the home have completed National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) at level 2 or above, with one other member of staff who has almost completed it. This is eighty six percent of staff who have completed NVQ training and is well above the fifty percent of staff required to have NVQ training. NVQs are national awards in care that enable staff to gain up to date skills and knowledge about current care practice. Other staff training is in place. Staff spoken to said they had a lot of opportunities for training. They said they attended training including moving and handling, protection of vulnerable adults and fire safety. The registered manager, Barbara Steele, has been in post for several years and has worked in care for much of her working life. She ensures that she updates her skills and knowledge so that she is familiar with any developments in care practice. One member of staff said, She is helpful and approachable. Formal supervision is carried out regularly. This allows the member of staff and manager or other nominated person to meet regularly and look at the member of staffs care practice and the care practice in the home, and any improvements that can be made. They also look at future plans in the home, training and the individuals career developments. Systems are in place for quality assurance. The manager said there are regular staff meetings and they discuss any issues and improvements they want to make. She talks to residents and relatives regularly to ask if they are satisfied with the service and if they have any concerns. The organisation carries out mystery shopper type visits, telephone calls and emails to see how the service is performing and feeds back the results to the home. This helps improve the service the home provides. Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 10 There is a fire risk assessment and procedure in place. Records are kept of staff fire induction to say they have been informed about fire safety. There are regular fire alarm and emergency light checks and other measures in place to keep people in the home safe. 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 10 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R Outstanding statutory requirements These requirements were set at the last inspection. They may not have been looked at during this inspection, as a random inspection is short and focussed. The registered person must take the necessary action to comply with these requirements within the timescales set. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Older People Page 8 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, Care Homes 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 7 12 All relevant resident health information needs to be in place in care files. so that staff have all necessary information about residents 23/01/2009 2 9 13 Medication must be given 23/01/2009 accurately at the correct time so that residents get the medication they are prescribed 3 29 19 A complete working history 23/01/2009 including year and month of changes of employment must be in place This will reduce the risk of employing anyone not suitable to work with vulnerable adults. 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 Older People Page 9 of 10 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. 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