Care Home: West Heath House

What the care home does well This has been a time of management changes at West Heath House; this has been recognised as having an impact on the staff at the home. Despite this we were made to feel welcome at the home and staff assisted us to complete our inspection. In the main we were told that the meals offered to people living in the home are wholesome, tasty and well presented. We did see dining tables had new cloths and coasters on them which give a homely and pleasant feeling to the dining room for people living in the home. The manager told us that they had also ordered condiments for people to use. It was positive that through staff interviews we found staff to be motivated and had good knowledge and understanding in relation to the needs of the people who live at West Heath House. Although not part of this focused inspection we were shown around the home by the manager who pointed out their future plans in respect of improving the environment for the people who live at West Heath House. The manager also told us that they will now focus upon the issues raised in this report and complete action plans. We are satisfied that the manager will proceed to look at the recommendations made. This will ensure that people living at the home are safeguarded by procedures and practices that are robust. What the care home could do better: Staff need to ensure that when they are signing the controlled drugs register as witnessing the administration of medications and checking that the MARS tallies with the medication left, staff must also observe the person living in the home actually taking their medications. This will ensure that individuals are protected by a robust medication system. Staffing rotas need to be an accurate record of which staff are on shift so that we can be confident that people living in the home are protected by sufficient staffing levels. If people living at the home do not participate in programmed/planned rehabilitation and or social activities then this should be recorded in individuals daily records so this can be monitored to ensure individuals are being offered the oppportunity of undertaking their planned activity. Inspecting for better lives Random inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: West Heath House 54 Ivy House Road West Heath Birmingham West Midlands B38 8JW two star good service 07/11/2008 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: Sally Seel Date: 1 7 0 3 2 0 0 9 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: West Heath House 54 Ivy House Road West Heath Birmingham West Midlands B38 8JW 01214590909 01214590910 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) : Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust care home 25 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 physical disability Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home 25 0 7 1 1 2 0 0 8 West Heath House is a purpose built care home for up to 25 adults with physical disabilities and acquired brain injury. The building is single storey and all bedrooms have en suite facilities. Communal areas consist of three lounges, two rehabilitation kitchens and two dining rooms. There are a number of rehabilitation staff working at the home that have office space and treatment rooms on the premises. The home is situated close to local amenities and public transport routes. The home is accessible to people that use wheelchairs and a number of aids and adaptations are provided in the home to assist them to manage their personal care. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 8 What we found: Staff told us that they are asked to check controlled drugs by counting the amount administered at the time together with what medication is left to ensure that it corresponds with the register. However, we found that staff were not observing the giving of the medications to ensure that the person takes this prior to staff signing the controlled drugs register. We could not clearly determine how many staff covered the shifts we looked at so that we could be confident that staffing levels were maintained to ensure individuals needs are met. We were told by staff that on occasions peoples activities would not take place if there were staff shortages through sickness or any incidents where staff were taken away from doing the arranged activity. This could not be verified as we were told by staff that when activities do not take place due to these specific reasons then is not noted on the planners and or handover books. We also pointed out to the manager that information in the handover book does not comply with the Data Protection Act. Daily notes made about each individual are all together and not on individual pages. We had a mixed response from staff in relation to the meals offered at the home, such as, They look small portions, Its alright, bland, Food quality is okay, Its clean, tasty it is okay, Its edible, warm. The manager also told us, Food, plain, plenty, wholesome, well cooked, well presented. We could not find any information that would suggest that the meals offered at West Heath House are not wholesome and healthy for people who live there. What the care home does well: This has been a time of management changes at West Heath House; this has been recognised as having an impact on the staff at the home. Despite this we were made to feel welcome at the home and staff assisted us to complete our inspection. In the main we were told that the meals offered to people living in the home are wholesome, tasty and well presented. We did see dining tables had new cloths and coasters on them which give a homely and pleasant feeling to the dining room for people living in the home. The manager told us that they had also ordered condiments for people to use. It was positive that through staff interviews we found staff to be motivated and had good knowledge and understanding in relation to the needs of the people who live at West Heath House. Although not part of this focused inspection we were shown around the home by the manager who pointed out their future plans in respect of improving the environment for the people who live at West Heath House. The manager also told us that they will Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 8 now focus upon the issues raised in this report and complete action plans. We are satisfied that the manager will proceed to look at the recommendations made. This will ensure that people living at the home are safeguarded by procedures and practices that are robust. 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 4 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 33 12 The ratios of care staff to 29/12/2008 residents must be determined according to the assessed needs of residents. Therefore a system needs to be operated to audit dependency levels of residents to determine safe staffing levels. This is to ensure that peoples needs are met effectively and timely by safe staff numbers. 2 33 13 The registered persons must 24/11/2008 ensure that a Regulation 37 notification is submitted for any occasions where there are staffing shortfalls, with continguency measures in place. This is to ensure that the health and wellbeing of all residents are maintained and safeguarded. 3 33 12 The registered persons are required to formally record and make available at inspection a written risk assessment when staffing levels fall below safe levels. This will ensure that residents health and safety 29/12/2008 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 8 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 are met at all times. 4 33 12 The registered person is 29/12/2008 required to submit continguency plans for when the home will be short staffed. This will ensure that the residents health and wellbeing are being met at all times by sufficient staffing levels. 5 36 18 The registered person is required to ensure that all staff including assistant managers receive a minimum of six supervision sessions per year. This is to ensure that staff are supported within their roles and responsibilities. 24/01/2009 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 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 1 14 All activities that form part of individuals rehabilitation and or social activities that are documented on their programmes/planners should record appropriate explanations of when these activities do not take place. This will ensure that all activities can be evaluated and monitored to make sure that meet individuals expectations and goals. Staff who sign the controlled drugs register as having witnessed the administration of these medications must also observe the individual taking the medications so that people living in the home are protected by robust medication practices. Staffing rotas must consistently reflect an accurate record of the staff that are completing the shifts so that we can be confident that people living are being supervised and supported by appropriate staffing levels. 2 20 3 33 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: 03000 616161 or Textphone: or Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.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. Copyright © (2009) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 8 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!