Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 12th March 2010. 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 The Dales.
Annual service review
Name of Service: The Dales The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service 2 8 0 1 2 0 0 9 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: Nancy Saich Date of this annual service review: 0 8 0 2 2 0 1 0 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service
Address of service: Main Street Ellenborough Maryport Cumbria CA15 7DX 01900817977 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 physical disability Conditions of registration: Dales Care Homes Limited Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 0 40 1 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, Physical disability - Code PD. The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 40. 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 The Dales is an older property that has been extended and adapted to cater for up to 40 older people. It is situated in the centre of Ellenborough, a residential area of Maryport. It is near to all the amenities of the village and the town. The home is owned by the Iredale family, and the registered manager is Graham Iredale. Other family members play an active role in the service.
Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 2 8 0 1 2 0 0 9 The accommodation for residents is on two floors served by a passenger lift. Most of the bedrooms are single occupancy but there are some double rooms available. The home has a number of large and small lounges and a small patio area outside. 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 asked the manager to complete an Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (The AQAA). This asks for information about the service since the last inspection and for any plans for the future. We also ask for some statistics about the service. We looked at any other information we had gathered about the service since we last inspected. We also consider anything the service is required to tell us about under the law. This includes accidents and incidents that may have an impact on peoples well being. We consider any complaints that have been received and we also look at any allegations of harm or abuse. There had been nothing of concern received. We then sent out questionnaires to the staff team and to people who live in the service and to professionals who may visit. We quote from some of these in this report. What has this told us about the service? We learned from this information that things in this home continue to go smoothly and that people who live or work in the home are happy with the way it is managed. The AQAA provided us with detailed information about how they continue to meet or to exceed the National Minimum Standards in all areas. The manager discussed a number of improvements that have taken place over the past year. Many of these have come about because they undertake ongoing consultations with people who use the service. There is also an annual survey given to residents and relatives. We could see that a number of improvements have taken place due to this and also due to the fact that staff are consulted and that regular meetings are held where the directors look at the progress of the business. They have a quality monitoring system that helps with this overview. Some of the changes described include improvements to the laundry system after some complaints about clothing returns; redecoration and carpeting in a more contemporary style after residents stated that they wanted more modern bedrooms and sitting rooms; an additional larger minibus with a tail lift so people who use wheelchairs can go out more; plans for computer basics classes and installation of wireless internet access as people want to use personal computers more. People who live in The Dales are very much part of village life and the local village society meets in the home. The annual exhibition is held in the home and the planned April exhibition is about local, national and global events in the last hundred years. This will involve work with residents and staff about equality and diversity. Other activities that are on going include a poetry group where people are encouraged to write their own poetry with a view to publication; Nintendo Wi sessions; pamper sessions; parties, entertainments and celebrations. All activities are based on individual as well as group choices. Life stories and pen pictures are drawn up for each person. Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 The plans for the future include more trips out into the community as well as inviting the community into the home. A regular group of volunteers will have background checks and training in place to help when people go out. The manager listed the improvements made to the building and plans for some building work that will improve showering facilities and make some changes to sitting areas and some bedrooms. There have been changes made to the way staff are deployed. This home has two very experienced supervisors who are due to retire in a few years time. The manager has now identified four staff who will be trained as senior carers. Each of them now have delegated management tasks and responsibility for care planning and life story work with a number of residents. This is working well with the manager and supervisors mentoring and training them in the role. The home now has an administrator who is streamlining the systems and decluttering the office space. Some policies and procedures now also have pictorial guides to help both residents and staff who may not have English as a first language. A new I.T system is in place with new formats for recording information about service users and staff. Training and human resources records have been streamlined. There is a second office where confidential information can be stored and where staff can concentrate without interruption. We had a high level of returns of our surveys (around 60 ) from people who live in the home.The responses were all very positive. Here are some of things people told us: Care is exceptional, meals excellent, medical attention at all times. It is a home from home...friendly, caring...nothing is too much trouble for the family or the staff.... The special events are very good ...birthdays, parties, carol service, Barbeques.... I am happy and have no complaints...well looked after and very well fed. In general people told us they were cared for and treated properly and that they had good relationships with the management and the staff. Most of the surveys said that care was the best thing they did. We had a letter from a relative who lives some distance away and they tell us: I have been impressed by the help and support of the staff at all times. My relative has been nursed back to good health and is very happy there.... We had a survey from a health care professional who states: Communication is very good. They treat the clients as individuals and always have time for them. We have a good working relationship. This is a caring , professional home.. Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 We also had a lower level of responses from staff. These were positive but had no further comments. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? This review has not changed our opinion of the service. The Care Quality Commission will continue to monitor information about this service and will carry out an inspection when required. Annual Service Review Page 6 of 7 Reader Information
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