Care Home: The Wheel House

What the care home does well Staff felt that they had the skills to care for the people who lived at the home. Staff said that there was excellent training opportunities and all were able to undertake National Vocational Qualifications. The training programme for all staff includes training in all areas of health and safety and training relevant to the people who live at the home. Staff said that the care plans were very informative and gave clear guidelines and protocols for each person. All staff said that there is now a full handover between shifts to ensure that everyone working at the home is kept up to date with any changes made to care plans or routines. Staff spoken with said that the management in the home were very approachable. One person said "If I had a problem then I would go straight to the manager or deputy, if I had a problem with either of them I would go to another senior person." Another person said "the management are very approachable, I would take any concerns to them and I`m sure that they would be handled well." It was stated that the management are very visible in the home with one person saying "you never go long without seeing them and can always talk to them." All staff receive regular supervisions and appraisals, there are also regular staff meetings. Staff stated that they were able to express their views and opinions at meetings and during their personal appraisals. Staff spoken with were aware of the whistle blowing policy and the management stated that people are able to report things anonymously if they wish to. All staff have undertaken training in the administration of medication with the dispensing pharmacy and their competence has been assessed by the deputy manager. Staff are now undertaking a more comprehensive training course in the administration of medication with Strode College. All staff asked said that they felt competent handling medication. Medication audits are carried out as part of the homes three monthly quality assurance systems. The home employs a dedicated cook through the week. There is a four week menu in place that shows a variety of food. The food eaten by each person in recorded in the daily records. The management stated that they felt everyone received a good balanced diet. One member of staff said "There`s a good variety of food and we try to encourage people to make choices." On the day of this inspection people living at the home had a take away meal for lunch and this appeared to be enjoyed by everyone. Since the last inspection one new person has moved to the home on a respite basis. This person spends part of their time at the Wheel House and part at their family home. Staff and management acknowledged that during the initial transition period some difficulties were experienced. Additional staff have now been put in place and everyone felt that the person had now settled in well. One member of staff spoken with said the person "needed a lot of attention at the beginning but they now fit in brilliantly and they get on well with other people living at the home." Another member of staff said "the first two weeks were hard as everyone got to know each other but now they have really fitted in." The care plan viewed demonstrated that the persons needs can be met at the home. Reviews held with care manager and family give evidence that the placement is currently meeting the persons needs and no concerns were raised. The two issues, specific to particular people living at the home have been investigated by the home and we are satisfied that appropriate action has been taken. All staff spoken with were very positive about the home and the care that was provided. All were very enthusiastic about their jobs. One person said "I love coming to work" another said "I`ve worked in lots of places but this is the best." Staff felt that there had been great improvements in the home over the past 12 months, including better training and support, which had led to good staff morale. What the care home could do better: No areas for improvement were identified at this inspection but the home need to ensure that they keep the Commission for Social Care Inspection fully informed of all significant events in the home. Inspecting for better lives Random inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: The Wheel House Linden Hill The Wheel House Wellington Somerset TA21 0DW new service which has yet to be given a quality rating 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 assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. This is a report of a random inspection of this care home. A random inspection is a short, focussed inspection. 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: Jane Poole Date: 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 9 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: The Wheel House Linden Hill The Wheel House Wellington Somerset TA21 0DW 01823669444 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Mr William Gilbert Gillespie care home 10 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 0 learning disability mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia Conditions of registration: 10 10 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is 10. The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home providing personal care only - Code PC to service users of either gender whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Learning disability (Code LD) Mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia (Code MD) Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home The Wheel House is situated on the outskirts of Wellington but has easy access to all local amenities and facilities. All rooms are for single occupancy and three self contained flatlets are included in the overall registration. The home is currently registered to provide a service for ten people with a Learning Disability or mental Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 8 Brief description of the care home health difficulties. The home is owned by Covenant Care and the registered manager is Bill Gillespie. There are extensive grounds with mature gardens and large patio areas. Since the last inspection an indoor splash pool has been installed at the site. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 8 What we found: This random inspection was carried out by one inspector over a 3 hour period. It was in response to anonymous concerns raised. During this time We, The Commission, spoke with the homes management and staff on duty. Two care plans were viewed during the inspection. Concerns raised included; Staff not having the appropriate skills and experience to care for people living at the home. The management being unapproachable resulting in carers being unable to share concerns with them. High level of medication errors. People living at the home receiving the same meals every day. One person living at the home being incompatible with others and frightening some of the people who live at the home. Two incidents, specific to particular people living at the home. The home has also received an anonymous letter outlining some of the above concerns. The home has carried out its own investigations to look into the issues raised. What the care home does well: Staff felt that they had the skills to care for the people who lived at the home. Staff said that there was excellent training opportunities and all were able to undertake National Vocational Qualifications. The training programme for all staff includes training in all areas of health and safety and training relevant to the people who live at the home. Staff said that the care plans were very informative and gave clear guidelines and protocols for each person. All staff said that there is now a full handover between shifts to ensure that everyone working at the home is kept up to date with any changes made to care plans or routines. Staff spoken with said that the management in the home were very approachable. One person said If I had a problem then I would go straight to the manager or deputy, if I had a problem with either of them I would go to another senior person. Another person said the management are very approachable, I would take any concerns to them and Im sure that they would be handled well. It was stated that the management are very visible in the home with one person saying you never go long without seeing them and can always talk to them. All staff receive regular supervisions and appraisals, there are also regular staff meetings. Staff stated that they were able to express their views and opinions at meetings and during their personal appraisals. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 8 Staff spoken with were aware of the whistle blowing policy and the management stated that people are able to report things anonymously if they wish to. All staff have undertaken training in the administration of medication with the dispensing pharmacy and their competence has been assessed by the deputy manager. Staff are now undertaking a more comprehensive training course in the administration of medication with Strode College. All staff asked said that they felt competent handling medication. Medication audits are carried out as part of the homes three monthly quality assurance systems. The home employs a dedicated cook through the week. There is a four week menu in place that shows a variety of food. The food eaten by each person in recorded in the daily records. The management stated that they felt everyone received a good balanced diet. One member of staff said Theres a good variety of food and we try to encourage people to make choices. On the day of this inspection people living at the home had a take away meal for lunch and this appeared to be enjoyed by everyone. Since the last inspection one new person has moved to the home on a respite basis. This person spends part of their time at the Wheel House and part at their family home. Staff and management acknowledged that during the initial transition period some difficulties were experienced. Additional staff have now been put in place and everyone felt that the person had now settled in well. One member of staff spoken with said the person needed a lot of attention at the beginning but they now fit in brilliantly and they get on well with other people living at the home. Another member of staff said the first two weeks were hard as everyone got to know each other but now they have really fitted in. The care plan viewed demonstrated that the persons needs can be met at the home. Reviews held with care manager and family give evidence that the placement is currently meeting the persons needs and no concerns were raised. The two issues, specific to particular people living at the home have been investigated by the home and we are satisfied that appropriate action has been taken. All staff spoken with were very positive about the home and the care that was provided. All were very enthusiastic about their jobs. One person said I love coming to work another said Ive worked in lots of places but this is the best. Staff felt that there had been great improvements in the home over the past 12 months, including better training and support, which had led to good staff morale. What they could do better: 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 Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 8 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes R No £ 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 1 37 37 You are required to review, 15/10/2008 up date and expand your policy and systems regarding information the commission requires under Regulation 37. You are required to ensure the reviewed, updated and expanded policies and systems include clear information about informing the commission, without delay, of such incidents. You are required to ensure all members of staff working in the care home understand the updated policies and systems. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 8 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 37 37 The home must ensure that 09/03/2009 they inform the CSCI of all significant events as detailed in Regulation 37 - Care Homes Regulations 2001. To ensure that the CSCI is kept up to date. 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 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 8 Reader Information Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report CSCI 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 Adults (18-65 years) 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: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone: 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.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. 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