Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 19th May 2010. CQC found this care home to be providing an Adequate service.
The inspector found no outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report,
but made 2 statutory requirements (actions the home must comply with) as a result of this inspection.
For extracts, read the latest CQC inspection for Queens Meadow Care Home.
What the care home does well There are now detailed assessments about each person`s daily needs. These include some details of what people can do for themselves. It is also good practice that the assessments are reviewed every 3 months to see if there is any change in needs. The management of medication has also improved since the last inspection. Only trained, designated staff help people with their medication. There is good freedom of movement around the home so people can spend time where they choose. The quality of meals is good, and people are asked each day what they would like from the menu choices. The home is warm and comfortable. Everyone has a good-sized, single bedroom with their own private en suite facility. There are sufficient staff on duty to help people when they need assistance. Staff have good training so they know how to support the people in a safe way. What the care home could do better: The provider should make sure that the dementia care unit is designed to help people find their own way around. The provider must make sure that all areas used by residents are bright enough and free from odours. The new care plans should be specific to the needs of each individual person. Eyedrops in the dementia unit should be dated at the time of opening, and the ground floor medication room should be cooler.Other things that could be better include: residents could have written information about activities and menus so that they can make informed decisions; continence equipment should be stored in people`s own rooms, and towels should be stored in appropriate cupboards; toilet roll holders should be placed so that they are easily accessible by residents. Random inspection report
Care homes for older people
Name: Address: Queens Meadow Care Home 327 Stockton Road Hartlepool TS25 5DA one star adequate service 02/06/2009 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: Andrea Goodall Date: 1 9 0 5 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Queens Meadow Care Home 327 Stockton Road Hartlepool TS25 5DA 01429267424 01429405167 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs Julie Ann Armstrong Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : T L Care Ltd care home 59 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 43 dementia old age, not falling within any other category Conditions of registration: 16 0 The maximum number of service users who can be accommdoated is: 59 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, maximum number of places: 43 Dementia, over 65 years of age - Code DE, maximum number of places 16 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home The home was purpose built in 1991. Accommodation is provided for up to 59 older people who require help with personal care. There are two units with upstairs providing
Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 11 0 2 0 6 2 0 0 9 Brief description of the care home care to older persons who also have dementia. The home is situated close to Hartlepool Town centre. It stands in its own grounds with a secure and pleasant large garden area at the back. All of the bedrooms have en-suite toilet and hand washing facilities. There are sufficient toilet and bathroom areas located throughout the home, some with specialist adaptations for people who are less mobile. Several spacious lounge and dining areas are also available. Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 11 What we found:
Before the visit we looked at information we have received since the last key inspection visit on 2nd June 2009. We looked at any changes to how the home is run. We asked the Provider for their view of how well they care for people in their AQAA (an annual quality assurance assessment). We made an unannounced visit to the home on 19th May 2010. During the visit we talked with people who use the service, the manager and staff. We joined residents for a teatime meal. We looked at how staff support the people who live here. We looked at information about the people who use the service and how well their needs are met. At the time of this visit there were 51 people living at this home. Care plans are records that are used by all care services to show what sort of help each person needs and how staff will provide that care. The care records at Queens Meadow home have improved since the last inspection. There are now detailed assessments about each persons daily needs, such as mobility, nutrition and hygiene. It is good practice that the assessments include some details of what people can do for themselves, for example if they can choose their own clothes even if they need physical assistance to dress. It is also good practice that the assessments are reviewed every 3 months to see if there is any change in needs. The assessment information is used to set out plans of care, so that staff have written guidance about how to support each person. At this time some care plans are generic rather than specific to each person. For example care plans for continence indicate there should be a regular toileting programme, but do not state how often, where, with what support and equipment. However the manager commented that the provider has designed new care plans that will set out each persons support needs. The management of medication has also improved since the last inspection. All designated staff have had training in the safe handling of medication. Only designated staff administer medication including prescribed creams and eyedrops. If people keep their prescribed creams in the bedrooms, the records of medication administration is also kept in their bedroom so that staff can record when creams have been applied. There are secure medication storage areas on both floors. However the ground floor storage room was very warm at 30 degrees Centigrade, which is too hot for storing medication. On the ground floor eyedrops are now dated with the date of opening so that staff know to discard them after 28 days. However eyedrops of people on the first floor do not have the date of opening, so could be mistakenly used after the 28 days deadline. In October 2009 an annual pharmacy inspection was carried out by the PCT (Primary Care Trust). The dementia unit scored 83 and the ground floor unit scored 91 . The home was chosen by the local authority to have a Wii system installed so that residents could enjoy a number of gentle exercises and games. There are also monthly visits by a Motivation Therapy team, and some occasional trips to the theatre or cinema. At this time there is little in the way of organised in-house activities as the activities staff
Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 11 has been on sick leave for some time. Care staff stated that they try to provide some activities but they have to attend to peoples personal care needs first, which most people need a lot of support with. During this visit some people were spending time in the different lounges on the ground floor and first floor, and others were enjoying the privacy of their own rooms. In the dementia care unit there is only one lounge, but this means staff can sit with residents and engage them in conversations. Overall staff were helpful, friendly and supportive towards the people who live here, although occasionally some staff were rather instructive, for example telling residents to sit down and eat up. People said that the meals were good. The home has two dining rooms, one on each floor, where residents can take their meals. People are offered a choice of at least two dishes for each meal, for example at teatime there was beans on toast or sandwiches. It is good practice that people are asked for their meal choices on the morning of each day. However there is currently no written information for residents about menus. The manager agreed that this could be added to the welcome pack for each resident. The home is warm, comfortable and safe. Bedrooms are a good size and all have en-suite facilities. The home has a good sized, pleasant garden area. There are plans to continue a programme of redecoration around the home, and to provide a sensory garden outside for residents. On the first floor there is a self-contained unit that is specifically for people with dementia-type needs. However the dementia care unit does not have clear signposts for residents such as clear, pictorial signs for bathrooms and dining room. All the doors in this unit are the same colour with little to differentiate rooms from cupboards.The bedroom doors have small dark name plates, dark unclear photographs, and brass numbers but no objects or pictures of familiarity for each person to recognise. This makes it difficult for people to find their own bedroom by themselves. Some parts of the home, such as communal toilets and bathrooms, are very dim due to the low wattage bulbs. This could present a tripping hazard for residents. Some extractor fans in communal toilets were not working at the time of this visit, and these rooms were becoming odorous. This was compounded by the fact that soiled continence pads were not being bagged before being placed in bins around the home. In most bathrooms the toilet roll holders were not in the right place for residents to access easily, and this does not support their independence or dignity. In one bathroom there were continence pads on display instead of being in the persons room. In one shower room there were frayed towels stacked next to the toilet bowl. There was good staff presence around all areas of the home and staff responded very promptly to any call alarms. In this way residents had timely assistance if they needed it. Training records show that all staff who work on the dementia care unit have had suitable training in dementia care needs. It is also good practice that all but two of the newest care staff have achieved a national qualification in care (called NVQ level 2 or 3). Training records show that all staff have good opportunities for training, including mandatory training in health & safety matters. Staff receive training in safeguarding adults and the home has information about how to report any concerns. The home uses the safeguarding adults arrangements that are
Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 11 promoted by Hartlepool Borough Council, which are robust procedures for dealing with suspected abuse. The manager is fully aware of the mental capacity act and how this impact on peoples rights to make their own decisions whilst living at this home. She is also fully aware of deprivation of liberty safeguards and has worked with the local authority to support one person who has been assessed as at risk of trying to leave the home without support. It was clear from this visit and from discussions with the manager that the home has made some improvements to the service for the people who live here, and there are plans to continue improvements. For example the home is currently working towards Gold Standards Framework accreditation. This would mean that, where necessary, the home would be able to work in partnership with health care services to provide suitable end of life care. What the care home does well: What they could do better:
The provider should make sure that the dementia care unit is designed to help people find their own way around. The provider must make sure that all areas used by residents are bright enough and free from odours. The new care plans should be specific to the needs of each individual person. Eyedrops in the dementia unit should be dated at the time of opening, and the ground floor medication room should be cooler. Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 11 Other things that could be better include: residents could have written information about activities and menus so that they can make informed decisions; continence equipment should be stored in peoples own rooms, and towels should be stored in appropriate cupboards; toilet roll holders should be placed so that they are easily accessible by residents. 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 £ 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 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 22 23 The provider must ensure that the environmental design of the dementia care unit is in line with current best practice, including appropriate signposting and use of colour-contrasting. 01/12/2010 This is to support people with dementia-type needs to orientate independently around around the accommodation. 2 25 23 The provider must ensure 01/10/2010 that all areas of residents accommodation, including toilets and bathrooms, achieve a satisfactory level of lighting and ventilation. This is to ensure that people live in accommodation that is bright and free from odours. Care Homes for Older People Page 9 of 11 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 2 7 9 The new care plans should be specific to the needs of each individual person. The ground floor medication storage room should be at a suitable ambient temperature, that is no more than 25 degrees Centigrade. Eyedrops in the dementia unit should be dated at the time of opening so that they are discarded in a timely way. Consideration should be given to written information for residents about activities and menus so that they can make informed decisions. Continence equipment should be stored in peoples own rooms, and towels should be stored in appropriate cupboards. The home should ensure that all toilet roll holders are placed so that they are easily accessible by residents. 3 4 9 15 5 21 6 21 Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 11 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. 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!
