Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 22nd February 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 Poplars.
Annual service review
Name of Service: The Poplars The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service 1 5 1 2 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: Joy Hoelzel Date of this annual service review: 1 8 0 1 2 0 1 0 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service
Address of service: The Poplars Alsagers Bank Stoke On Trent Staffordshire ST7 8BA 01782721515 01782721443 rcurry@btconnect.com Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:
Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Dr John Robert Curry Mrs Sylvia Margaret Curry Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : dementia mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia old age, not falling within any other category physical disability Conditions of registration: The Poplars Limited Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 3 3 0 13 0 0 33 0 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 33 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: Dementia (DE) 3, Mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia (MD) 3, Old age, not falling within any other category (OP) 33, Physical disbility (PD) 13 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: Two people have been registered as joint managers of the service.
Page 2 of 7 Annual Service Review Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service 1 5 1 2 2 0 0 8 The Poplars is a privately owned care home registered to care for 33 older people. The home is situated in the centre of Alsagers Bank, a village community in a semi-rural setting near to Newcastle-under-Lyme. The home is on a regular bus route and there is easy access to local facilities and amenities. It is situated in a prime location that affords extensive views over open countryside and of the Cheshire plain. There are attractively laid out gardens surrounding the home with patio areas and garden seating so that people are able to sit and enjoy the view should they so choose. There are parking facilities in the front of the home. The Poplars is a two-storey building with bedrooms situated on both the ground and first floor. The home is spacious, comfortable and well maintained. Information of the home and the provision of the service are available in the statement of purpose and service user guide, both documents are available directly from the home. Care Quality Commission reports for this service are available from the provider or can be obtained from www.cqc.org.uk 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 or annual service review. 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 met for people using the service. It also gave us some numerical information about the service. Surveys returned to us by people using the service and from other people with an interest in the service. Information we have about how the service has managed any complaints. What the service has told us about things that have happened in the service, these are called notifications and are a legal requirement. The previous key inspection. Relevant information from other organisations. What other people have told us about the service. What has this told us about the service? One of the joint care managers completed and sent us their annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) in November 2009. It was clear and gave us all the information we asked for. We looked at the information in the AQAA and our judgement is that the home is still providing a good service and that they know what further improvements they need to make. Information recorded in the AQAA tells us- Our aim is to provide and maintain a warm, friendly, informal and secure environment in which people living at The Poplars can feel at ease and be able to pursue a lifestyle that suits them. Our management style is intended to reflect the informal and open ethos of the home, in which residents and staff can express their views and concerns with an expectation that they will be listened to, and action taken. People living at The Poplars can expect to be treated with respect and dignity at all times, be protected from any form of abuse. They can also expect to live in a well maintained and clean home that is free from significant health and safety risks. The improvements made within the last twelve months are- Eight members of staff have completed National Vocational Qualification courses in care, one at level 4, five at level 3, two at level 2. Developed new training materials for key workers in risk assessment. Continued with a program of decoration and maintenance and equipment replacement. Responded to suggestions and request from residents and relatives either verbally or by means of residents and relatives satisfaction questionnaires. The plans for further improvements within the next twelve months are recorded as Expand the range and number of formal training courses. Ensure all documentation is updated in a timely fashion. Continue to develop a range of suitable activities and entertainment for residents. Updated policies and procedures to take account of new legislation and developments in good practice. Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 An immediate requirement was issued at the last key inspection because of concerns regarding the medication procedures - The registered person shall make arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the care home. The care manager recorded in the AQAA that they have- Changed medication storage recording and administration monitoring procedures following last inspection and staff training from pharmacist. And that - Medication is appropriately stored, administered and recorded and staff are trained in dealing with medicines both in house and by the Homes Pharmacist Five surveys were returned from people living at The Poplars, all indicated that they had help to complete the survey. They told us that they were happy with the care and support that they receive. One person told us The home is very well run and the staff are caring and attentive. Two people indicated that sometimes there are activities arranged that they can participate in. One person told us that a few more trips out in the summer would be nice. Four out of the five people told us that they usually enjoy the meals that are provided. In one survey an additional comment of The food provided at lunchtimes is of a poor standard and there is definitely room for improvement. The joint care manager commented on the provision of food in the AQAA - Much care and thought is given to the quality and variety of food provided, the emphasis being placed on traditional home cooked meals prepared in our modern well equipped kitchen. Special diets can be catered for. The menu rotates over a three week period. We provide breakfast, dinner and tea, morning coffee, afternoon tea and evening drinks/supper. The relatives, carers and advocates of five people living at the home completed our survey and returned it to us. Most felt that the home provides a good service to the people in residence. Comments included Good standard of care, pleasant environment. Staff make a real effort. In one survey an additional comment was made that in their opinion the standard of the food especially at lunchtimes was poor and needed improving. Two people told us that there is Too much sitting around in chairs and falling asleep, people need stimulation and a person with special responsibility in this area would help. A bit more activity is needed for people who cannot move and are not active. Information on the activities arranged is included in the AQAA and describes both in house and community based activities. We have daily activities which residents are encouraged to take part in, in order to maintain existing skills and develop new ones. These include, board games, a range of large print books, art and craft work, exercise to music, walking and sitting in the garden. A number of religious ministers visit. We keep in touch with local community events, with visiting choirs, school groups and trips out to events and local beauty spots. We have a mini bus with wheelchair access for outings and transport to appointments. The planned improvements for the next twelve months included in the AQAA areInstall a local weather station to nurture the residents interest in the weather, the physical and visual impact of which is very evident from our lounge and other west facing rooms. Continue to develop the range of physical and intellectually stimulating
Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 activities offered and encourage greater participation. Continue to respond to individual lifestyle preferences and likes and dislikes within the constraints of health and safety and the comfort and well-being of other residents. Endeavour to make greater use of the mini bus. Five members of staff completed our survey and told us that they are given up to date information and sufficient training for them to do their job. They told us that The home is friendly, all problems which arise are sorted out as quickly as possible. The senior staff are helpful, we work in a home from home environment. Two healthcare professionals completed our survey and told us the home is A very impressive residential home which is well organised and meets the health and well being of the people living at the home. The AQAA indicates that no concerns or complaints have been raised directly with the home within the last twelve months. One referral has been made to the local authority safeguarding vulnerable adults team for consideration. A satisfactory conclusion was reached. We, the commission, have not received any direct correspondence in this area. The service continues to send us notifications of any accidents or incidents that occur at the home. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? We are not going to change our inspection plan, and will do a key inspection by the end of January 2011. 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 the service. Annual Service Review Page 6 of 7 Reader Information
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