Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 16th October 2009. it is an annual review prepared by CQC after examining previous reports and information from the provider. At the time of this report, CQC judged the service to be Excellent.
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 Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes.
Annual service review
Name of Service: Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: three star excellent service 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 8 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 We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.
Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?
No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Elizabeth Dudley Date of this annual service review: 1 6 1 0 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service
Address of service: 557 Seaside Eastbourne East Sussex BN23 6NE 01323-739689 01323727533 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:
Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: The Trustees of Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 25 The maximum number of service users to be accommodated is 25 The registered person may provide the following category of service; Care home with nursing (N) to service users of the following gender: Either whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following category: Old age, not falling within any other category (OP) Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the No service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes is registered to provide care with nursing for up to twenty-five service users who meet the registration category of older people. The home forms part of an Edwardian building, which was purpose built to provide sheltered accommodation for older people, it has been established since 1906. Accomdation is offered in both single and double rooms and there are lounges, dining rooms and a very pleasant garden.The home is currently undergoing building work to
Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 8 improve the facilities offered. The home is situated on the outskirts of Eastbourne in a residential area, approximately two miles from the town centre, and it is on a main bus route. The sea front is approximately half a mile away and immediately opposite the home, there is a shopping area, with a post office and a supermarket. Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes also contains self-care bungalows and flats for those requiring supported living. In the middle of the buildings there is a large garden, which is designed in to smaller areas with shelter and water features which are enjoyed by all. Copies of inspection reports and the homes Statement of Purpose are made available on request. Weekly fees charged as of 16th October 2009 range from £660 to £895. Additional charges are made for hairdressing, chiropody, newspapers and outside activities such as visits to the theatre. Intermediate care is not provided. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 7 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review:
What did we do for this annual service review? We looked at all the information that we have received or asked for, since the last inspection. 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 attained 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 to the service users. We refer to these as notifications and it is a statutory requirement for the registered persons to inform the Care Quality Commission within 24 hours of their occurrence. Monthly reports the provider is statutorily obliged to make and, if required, to submit to the Commission. The registered provider can undertake these, but more likely this is fulfilled by an appointed person with no connection to the home. We refer to these as Providers reports. The previous key inspection and the results of any other visits that we have made to the service in the last twelve months. Relevant information from other organisations. Information from surveys sent out to service users and/ or their representatives and health and social care professionals prior to this Annual Service Review. The last key inspection took place on the 11th November 2008. What has this told us about the service? The AQAA gave us clear information about what has happened in the home over the past twelve months and any future plans for the home. It was received when we asked for it. The last Key inspection report was very positive and all outcome areas had good or excellent outcomes. No statutory requirements were made at the inspection, and the manager tells us that all the three recommendations made have been addressed by the home. These included a recommendation that a larger controlled drugs cupboard be purchased, that the name and address of the Commission be added to the complaints policy and that residents are involved in both the formation and review of their care plans. The manager tells us that all prospective residents are assessed by the manager or a senior member of staff prior to being admitted to the home, and receive information about the home before deciding whether they wish to live there. Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 Following admission each resident has a contract of Terms and Conditions and individual plans of care are commenced. The home currently has 22 residents in the care wing and has a full complement of nursing and care staff. The home has very little turnover of staff thus ensuring that residents receive care from staff with whom they are familiar. The AQAA tells us that 66 of the care staff have attained the National Vocational Qualification in Care, at either level 2 or above, and registered nurses undertake further training and updating relating to the needs of the residents in the home. The last inspection report shows us that the home operates a thorough recruitment system to ensure that residents are safeguarded and new staff receive induction training. The home employs two activities co-ordinators to enable residents to enjoy a full programme of leisure activities. However due to recent building work for an extension and additions to some existing rooms, some activities have had to be curtailed temporarily. Residents are facilitated to make complaints if they feel the need to do so and surveys showed that they are confident that these will be handled in an open and transparent manner. Two of the surveys indicated that these residents were unsure about accessing the formal complaints procedure. This is included in the Service User Guide and the manager says she will ensure that all residents are aware of this. The home has had one complaint in the past year which was addressed, and there have been no adult safeguarding issues. All care and nursing staff have had adult safeguarding training, this is to be cascaded to the catering and ancillary staff. All care and ancillary staff have received full mandatory health and safety training such as moving and handling. Surveys from residents and the last inspection report told us that the standard of catering is good and residents enjoy a varied and nutritious diet. All residents receive ongoing nutritional assessments. The AQAA informed us that policies and procedures used in the home have been updated recently and that all the utilities and equipment used has been serviced at regular intervals. The manager and registered nurses have undergone training in the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty safeguarding and this is in the process of being cascaded to care staff. A quality monitoring system is in place and residents are asked to fill in questionnaires relating to their admission experience following admission to the home and receive annual satisfaction questionnaires which enable them to make their views known. Residents and staffs views of the home are also gained at the frequent meetings held for residents, relatives and staff.
Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 Prior to this Annual Service Review, the Commission sent out surveys to residents, responses were positive and included: The staff are efficient and courteous at all times and caring and considerate of my needs . I have no concerns about the level of care. my (Resident) has been in the home for 7 years and has received the most loving care of the highest order and nothing is ever neglected in regard to her needs. She is kept spotless and always looks so comfortable, I go regularly and observe that everyone here is looked after with the greatest care possible. I would recommend this home to anyone for the first class care that it offers. I thoroughly enjoy the food I think the meals could be improved with more imagination for elderly folk, ie dainty meals that look more tempting. Staff are always welcoming keen to help and make sure you are comfortable. They have events: fairs and other occasions which are well planned and organised, and all residents are made welcome and all needs catered for All the records and information available provide sufficient evidence to suggest that the home is continuing to look at ways to improve the delivery of care and to ensure that the people living at the home enjoy a good quality of life. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? The Commission is reasonably confident that the service is continuing provide a good standard of care and will continue to monitor this through ongoing processes. The next key inspection will be carried out by the 30th September 2011. The Commission has the power to inspect the service at any time, particularly if there are concerns about the quality of the service, or the safety of the people using the service. Annual Service Review Page 6 of 7 Reader Information
Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Annual service review CQC General Public 0870 240 7535 (national contact centre) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. The content of which can be found on our website. 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 copy of the findings in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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 CQC copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Annual Service Review Page 7 of 7 - 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!
