Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 28th April 2010. CQC found this care home to be providing an Good service.
The inspector found no outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report,
but made 3 statutory requirements (actions the home must comply with) as a result of this inspection.
For extracts, read the latest CQC inspection for Milehouse Lane (25).
What the care home does well This service provides a diverse range of support and care to people with both a learning disability and physical disability. Staff were observed being supportive and caring when assisting people.The service has produced detailed care plans, which give a detailed insight into to the needs of the individual. The people receiving care services at Mile House Lane appear to have some degree of involvement in their care planning which have helped produce a more person centered approach to care planning. However the manager must ensure that all care plans are signed by either the service user or their representative, as the two care plans inspected were not signed. The individual contracts also require signing and updating with the current individual charges. Mile House Lane provides detailed information about the operation of the service to prospective and current residents. The staff team appear enthusiastic in their approach to people living within this service. Bedrooms and communal areas have been redecorated and recarpeted and provide a private space for individuals which promotes people`s dignity and provides an acceptable level of comfort and individuality. The staff spoken to during the inspection appeared to have a clear understanding of their individual roles and responsibilities. The registered manager is experienced in the field of learning disabilities and has created a welcoming environment for people to both service users and staff. The manner throughout this inspection process was both professional and open, which made this inspection experience a positive one. What the care home could do better: The manager must endeavour to clear the grounds around the home as there were several discarded pieces of furniture in the back garden that could present a health and safety risk and also make the home look unkempt. The front of the home could also benefit from being tidied up and cleared. The manager must ensure that all care plans and individual contracts are signed by either the service user or their representative in order to confirm they have been involved in this process. The damp wall outside the downstairs bathroom must be repaired. All window restrictors must be fitted correctly in order to ensure people are not placed at risk. Some carpets are badly stained and require replacing. All hazardous substances must be locked away in order to ensure people living at the home are not placed at any unnecessary risk. The manager must ensure that all mandatory training is up to date as on the day of this inspection this could not be evidenced. Random inspection report
Care homes for adults (18-65 years)
Name: Address: Milehouse Lane (25) 25 Mile House Lane St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 1TF 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: Julia Bradshaw Date: 2 8 0 4 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Milehouse Lane (25) 25 Mile House Lane St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 1TF 01727835413 01727835413FP Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: www.voyagecare.com Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mr Emmanuel Saweh Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Milbury Care Services Ltd care home 7 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 7 0 learning disability physical disability Conditions of registration: 7 3 This home may accommodate up to 3 people with physical disability on the ground floor only (when associated with a learning disability). Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home 25 Mile House Lane is a large detached domestic style property in a residential area to the south of St Albans. It has been converted for use as a residential care home and offers single room accommodation for up to seven adults with learning disabilities. Three of the bedrooms are located on the ground floor and are suitable for wheelchair users. Shared facilities include a large domestic kitchen, L shaped lounge and a conservatory. The home does not have a lift and the four service users on the first
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 9 Brief description of the care home floor must be fully ambulant. There is a fully assisted bath with overhead hoist tracking on the ground floor and a shower room on the first floor. Staff members have their own sleep-in room with en-suite WC and shower unit. The managers office is on the first floor. The front of the house is for car parking, and the large garden at the rear is suitable for wheelchair users. The home is close to one of the main roads leading to the centre of St Albans. It is within walking distance of a public house/restaurant, local shops and public transport routes. The home has its own transport for regular runs to and from the various day centres, for shopping trips and excursions. A copy of the Statement of Purpose, Service User Guide and the most recent CQC inspection report is available from the care home. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 9 What we found:
This inspection was carried out by one inspector over one day and planned at a time to ensure that there would be an opportunity to speak with some of the people who use this service. This service last had a Key inspection on the 04/05/2007 when it was given a two star rating. The most recent Annual Service Review was carried out in January 2010 and a further Key Inspection carried out on the 28th April 2010. Six of the people who live at Mile House Lane were at home at the time of this inspection along with one senior member of staff and three support staff, when we arrived. The registered manager arrived shortly after the inspection had started . The home was warm and welcoming. There was a calm atmosphere and people were relaxed and in good humour. The residents we met said they were happy living at the home. The manager stated that there had been several environmental improvements made to the home since the last inspection was carried out. These included, a new bathroom fitted to the first floor, although the flooring still requires replacing. All the communal areas of the home have been redecorated. There has been a new three piece purchased in the lounge, as well as also being redecorated. There has also been a new plasma screen television purchased. However the manager must ensure that all discarded furniture outside the home must be disposed of, this includes the broken chairs in the back garden. Although the home has window restrictors fitted throughout, the window restrictors in the office on the first floor had been unlocked and could place service users at risk as the office was unlocked during the time the inspector was in the building. There was a large damp patch on the wall adjoining the downstairs bathroom that requires attention. The current staffing arrangements are a minimum of three staff on duty at all times plus a senior member of staff. The manager is supernumerary to these staffing levels. There is also one waking night care and one person sleeping in per night. Staff spoken to stated that all staff working at the home are flexible. Details of the recruitment checks were not inspected on this occasion but the recently completed AQAA stated that Staff have clear roles and responsibilities, staff are appropriately trained and qualified, provide a robust recruitment policy and practice adhering to relevant current standards and legislation, all staff are supervised and appraised on a regular basis, pay staff to attend training. Staff training records were inspected but could not confirm that all staff working at the home have completed the required mandatory training. Surveys had been sent out and reviewed. We saw a statement about the quality processes within the service. These included monthly health and safety audits. Service users are encouraged and supported to attend residents meetings and evidence was seen of the last meeting held in March 2010. Staff spoken to confirmed that they receive regular supervision from the manger and feel that the current management structure is supportive. There is currently one senior team leader vacancy and 90 care hours vacant. There was evidence to confirm that regulation 26 visits are carried out regularly with the most recent report for March 2010 seen. What the care home does well:
This service provides a diverse range of support and care to people with both a learning disability and physical disability. Staff were observed being supportive and caring when assisting people.
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 9 The service has produced detailed care plans, which give a detailed insight into to the needs of the individual. The people receiving care services at Mile House Lane appear to have some degree of involvement in their care planning which have helped produce a more person centered approach to care planning. However the manager must ensure that all care plans are signed by either the service user or their representative, as the two care plans inspected were not signed. The individual contracts also require signing and updating with the current individual charges. Mile House Lane provides detailed information about the operation of the service to prospective and current residents. The staff team appear enthusiastic in their approach to people living within this service. Bedrooms and communal areas have been redecorated and recarpeted and provide a private space for individuals which promotes peoples dignity and provides an acceptable level of comfort and individuality. The staff spoken to during the inspection appeared to have a clear understanding of their individual roles and responsibilities. The registered manager is experienced in the field of learning disabilities and has created a welcoming environment for people to both service users and staff. The manner throughout this inspection process was both professional and open, which made this inspection experience a positive one. 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 Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 9 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 6 of 9 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 6 15 The manager must ensure 30/06/2010 that all care plans are signed by either the service user or their representative. To ensure that people have been involved in the development of their own plan. 2 24 23 All aspects of the 30/07/2010 environment must be safe, in a state of good repair and provide a comfortable environment for people to live in. To ensure people are both safe and can enjoy a comfortable environment. 3 35 18 Staff must be provided with the appropriate mandatory training to carry out their roles effectively. To ensure people have the appropriate skills and training to care for people living at the home. 30/07/2010 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 9 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 8 of 9 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 9 of 9 - 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!
