Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 26th November 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 The Thorns.
Annual service review
Name of Service: The Thorns The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service 1 4 1 0 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: Lesley Plant Date of this annual service review: 2 3 1 0 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 6 Information about the service
Address of service: Coastal Road Hest Bank Lancaster Lancashire LA2 6DW 01524822558 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: Morpress Properties Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 15 The registered person may provide the following category/ies 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 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 15 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 Thorns is owned by three family members, operating under the name of Morpress Properties. The home has a registered manager who runs the home, supported by a deputy and senior care staff. The Thorns is situated in Hest Bank village near Lancaster and close to the Lancaster canal. The home provides accommodation for a maximum of fifteen residents. The home is situated at the end of a private driveway and there are some local shops
Annual Service Review Page 2 of 6 1 4 1 0 2 0 0 8 nearby. Accommodation is provided in 11 single and 2 double bedrooms. The double rooms are mostly used as singles, unless they are occupied by married couples who want to share a room. All the bedrooms have en suite facilities. The bedrooms differ in size, but most are spacious and residents are able to bring their own posessions into the home and so personalise their bedroom. There is a large lounge, a dining room and a conservatory/entrance porch, with good views down the driveway and over the front garden, which has a pond. Details of the current fees can be obtained by contacting the manager at the home. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 6 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. 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 report. Relevant information from other organisations. What other people have told us about the service. Information from any visits we have made to the service. What has this told us about the service? The service sent us their annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. It was clear and gave us all the information we asked for. Information in the AQAA shows that improvements continue to be made. As recommended at the last key inspection, all staff who administer medication have now received training in this area. The manager also confirms that medication practices have been strengthened in that two staff now check and sign any handwritten medication records. This will help to ensure that mistakes are not made. Training for staff has continued, with nearly all care staff having achieved a national vocational qualification at level 2 or above. This means that they have had their work practice assessed and have been deemed competent in their role. Some staff have been supported to gain a higher level award and the deputy has gained the registered managers award. This focus on qualification training for staff shows that staff are valued and that professional development is seen as important. Staff have also received training regarding abuse awareness. As this is a small home, staff now link in with other care homes in the area to attend shared training events, as it had proved difficult to get a training provider to put on courses for such a small group of staff. The environment continues to be maintained to a high standard. Equipment, including fire equipment is regularly checked. Residents have been involved in choosing the style and colour of new soft furnishings and bedrooms have been decorated. Improvements to the exterior of the home continue and the outside of the building is to be decorated. Annual Service Review Page 4 of 6 Other plans for improvement include encouraging residents to be more actively involved in choosing trips out and deciding on menu changes. Nine CQC surveys were received from residents at the home, with some containing comments from relatives. These provided a great deal of positive feedback about the service provided at The Thorns. Comments included; very caring and friendly, gives peace and comfort and a feeling of home, the staff are very kind and we are free to lead a normal life. No complaints have been received by the home or by CQC. We looked at all the information we have received and our judgement is that the service continues to provide good outcomes for the people who use it. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? We will continue to monitor the service. 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 5 of 6 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:
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