Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 12th August 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 Good.
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 Stow Lodge.
Annual service review
Name of Service: Stow Lodge The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service 1 1 0 9 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: Chris Schwarz Date of this annual service review: 1 0 0 7 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service
Address of service: Oval Way Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire SL9 8QB 01753886522 01753886522 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:
www.fremantletrust.org The Fremantle Trust Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Ms Carole Banton Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : learning disability Conditions of registration: Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 11 0 The maximum number of services users to be accommodated is 11 The registered provide may provide the following category of service only: Care home only(PC) to service users of the following gender: Either whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following category: Learning disability (LD) Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the Yes service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: Carole Banton has been registered as manager for the service. 1 1 0 9 2 0 0 8 Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 Stow Lodge is situated in a quiet residential area of Gerrards Cross, within walking distance of all local amenities. There is a bus route nearby and rail links. The service can accommodate eleven adults. The house is detached and situated in large grounds with parking at the front for several cars and a large rear garden. Each person has their own room, close to toilet and bathroom facilities. 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 key inspection which was carried out on 11 September 2008. This included: 1.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 met for people using the service. It also gave us some numerical information about the service. 2. Surveys returned to us by people using the service and from other people with an interest in the service. Four staff, four service users and two relatives returned surveys in time for this review. 3. Information we have about how the service has managed any complaints. 4. What the service has told us about things that have happened in the service, these are called notifications and it is a legal requirement for the service to tell us about them. 5. The previous key inspection and the results of any other visits that we have made to the service in the last 12 months. 6. Relevant information from other organisations. 7. What other people have told us about the service. What has this told us about the service? The AQAA was returned in good time and provided sufficient detail to carry out this assessment. Together with feedback from surveys, it showed that the service is still providing good quality care to people. It also showed that the views of people using the service are taken into account and changes made, such as involvement with staff recruitment and setting up of a sensory room. Information provided showed that there had been two discharges from the service in the past year, to supported living, and one new admission. The manager said there is a statement of purpose and service users guide in place for prospective users and she is aiming to produce the service users guide in a more accessible format in the coming year. There is an admissions procedure in place and this includes the prospective user being invited to visit, consultation with the person and their family/representative and taking into account the views of existing service users. We were informed in the AQAA that person centred care plans are in place for each person living at the service and they had been involved with these. Regular reviewing of the information was taking place by key workers and the manager to make sure that changing needs are documented and risk assessments updated. The manager advised that staff receive regular training to ensure quality of care and that they have the right skills and knowledge to support the people living at Stow Lodge. Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 Regular service users meetings are taking place at the service and people are encouraged to participate in meal preparation and shopping for food. The manager described meal times as relaxed and said that people can have their meals where they wish. Information provided showed us that all but one retired person still attend day services during the week and have opportunities to access the community, although the manager said she would like to improve activities when people have their home days and she wants to enable people to improve independent living skills. The AQAA informed us that people living at Stow Lodge have access to health care and there are regular medication reviews. People have the aids and adaptations they need to assist with daily living and care is carried out with regard to their privacy and dignity. Health passports have been updated for each person and records are kept of appointments with health professionals. Nutritional screening has been carried out for all service users. Most service users have their own medication cabinet in their room, there is a medication policy in place and staff are trained to administer medicines. The manager said she is aiming to encourage self-medication, where applicable. Training is undertaken on health related topics such as autism, epilepsy and dementia and the service has its own moving and handling assessor. There are policies and procedures for responding to complaints and safeguarding issues. The manager has improved practice by making sure that each service user has a copy of the complaints procedure in their room. Statistical information showed that there had been one complaint investigated by the service and no safeguarding issues. The manager is a safeguarding trainer and all staff receive training in safeguarding and responding to challenging behaviour. The service is kept clean, comfortable and well maintained. Service users select the decor for their rooms and are consulted about choices for communal areas of the building. They have keys to their rooms and the front door. The manager advised in the AQAA that a domestic worker has started at the service, new laundry equipment has been purchased and the service has a health and safety representative. Staff receive training in infection control and are provided with protective items for carrying out personal care. Statistical information provided by the manager showed that seven of nine permanent carers have achieved National Vocational Qualification at level 2 or above. Two staff had left employment in the last year; where there were gaps in the rota these were being filled by relief staff or permanent staff working additional hours. The induction used by the provider is in line with Skills for Care; the manager said there was a diverse staff team with a balance of skills, knowledge and experience. Service users are involved in the recruitment process for new staff. The manager said the service had improved training and consistency of the staff team in the past year. Since the last inspection, the manager has become registered with us and has achieved National Vocational Qualification level 4 in care. She also has the Registered Managers Award. She has kept us informed of incidents affecting service users welfare. The provider maintains regular monitoring of the service and an annual quality audit is undertaken to assess quality of care. This involves seeking views of users, staff, family members and other interested parties. Policies and procedures are in place to provide staff with guidance. Staff undertake health and safety related training such as food
Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 handling, moving and handling and first aid. Statistical information provided by the manager showed that equipment at Stow Lodge is maintained and that there are written assessments on hazardous substances. People using the service said they can make decisions about what to do each day and they knew who to speak with if they were unhappy. They said the premises are kept fresh and clean and that staff usually treated them well and usually listen and act on what they say. A relative said my brother is happy and well cared for and the staff, at all levels, are kind and considerate. Stow Lodge has a happy atmosphere and the building, although old, is well cared for. Another relative said staff are friendly, food very nice. Both relatives felt that communication with families could be improved. A third relative commented Stow Lodge is a well-run, happy home - they put the needs of the residents first and at the present time we have a very good manager and an excellent care worker. As a family, we greatly appreciate that our relative is so happy at Stow Lodge, which he regards as his home. The relative considered the service could improve by having enough staff on duty so that residents could go out more in small groups and enjoy more activities together in the home. Staff said they are given up to date information about peoples needs and described good working practices at the service. One said we work as a team. We take clients needs to heart. We try to promote their independence. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? From the information received, it is not necessary to alter our planned inspection schedule for this 2 star/good service. The next key inspection of Stow Lodge will be carried out before 10 September 2010 to review our assessment. However, we can inspect the service at any time if we have concerns about the quality of the service or the safety of the people using it. Annual Service Review Page 6 of 7 Reader Information
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