We are the regulator: Our job is to check whether hospitals, care homes and care services are meeting essential standards.

Transcription

1 Inspection Report We are the regulator: Our job is to check whether hospitals, care homes and care services are meeting essential standards. Downshaw Lodge Downshaw Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 9QL Date of Inspection: 10 April 2013 Date of Publication: May 2013 We inspected the following standards as part of a routine inspection. This is what we found: Consent to care and treatment Care and welfare of people who use services Cooperating with other providers Cleanliness and infection control Staffing Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision Complaints Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

2 Details about this location Registered Provider Registered Manager Overview of the service Type of service Regulated activities Four Seasons (Evedale) Limited Mrs. Lisa Bradley Downshaw Lodge is a purpose built, two storey building that accommodates up to 45 people who require personal or nursing care and support. Care home service with nursing Accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care Diagnostic and screening procedures Treatment of disease, disorder or injury Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

3 Contents When you read this report, you may find it useful to read the sections towards the back called 'About CQC inspections' and 'How we define our judgements'. Summary of this inspection: Page Why we carried out this inspection 4 How we carried out this inspection 4 What people told us and what we found 4 More information about the provider 5 Our judgements for each standard inspected: Consent to care and treatment 6 Care and welfare of people who use services 8 Cooperating with other providers 10 Cleanliness and infection control 12 Staffing 14 Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision 15 Complaints 17 About CQC Inspections 18 How we define our judgements 19 Glossary of terms we use in this report 21 Contact us 23 Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

4 Summary of this inspection Why we carried out this inspection This was a routine inspection to check that essential standards of quality and safety referred to on the front page were being met. We sometimes describe this as a scheduled inspection. This was an unannounced inspection. How we carried out this inspection We looked at the personal care or treatment records of people who use the service, carried out a visit on 10 April 2013, observed how people were being cared for and talked with people who use the service. We talked with staff and talked with commissioners of services. What people told us and what we found At the time of our visit to the service the registered manager of Downshaw Lodge was on a period of extended leave and the staff team were being led by another experienced home manager who was covering the management of the home. He was being supported by the regional manager for the service who was also at the home on the day of our inspection visit. Some people who used the service had limited communication skills due to their dementia and because of this we were limited to the number of people we could speak with who could tell us what they thought of the service and how they were treated. In light of this we also spoke with care staff, observed care practices and observed people who used the service. Those people we did speak with told us they were happy with the care and support they received at the home and their comments included, "I'm being looked after well", "I get a shower when I want one, the guys (staff) are very good" and "I still like living here, the staff are fantastic with me." Staff were observed to support and care for people appropriately, competently and sensitively during our visit. They interacted with people appropriately, respected their wishes and maintained their dignity at all times. All areas of the home were found to be clean, tidy and free from any unpleasant smells. You can see our judgements on the front page of this report. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

5 More information about the provider Please see our website for more information, including our most recent judgements against the essential standards. You can contact us using the telephone number on the back of the report if you have additional questions. There is a glossary at the back of this report which has definitions for words and phrases we use in the report. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

6 Our judgements for each standard inspected Consent to care and treatment Before people are given any examination, care, treatment or support, they should be asked if they agree to it Our judgement The provider was meeting this standard. Before people received any care or treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. Reasons for our judgement Some people who used the service had limited communication skills due to their dementia and because of this we were limited to the number of people we could speak with who could tell us what they thought of the service and how they were treated. In light of this we also spoke with care staff, observed care practices and observed people who used the service. Those people we did speak with told us that they were encouraged to make their own decisions about their daily lifestyles and about things that are important to them. Their comments included, "I'm happy with things here. The guys (staff) do a grand job with us. They always ask you about things, like what you want to do or if you need help, they don't make you they could try but it wouldn't work!" "You just have to tell staff what you want, they don't tell you. Sometimes some people are difficult for the staff but they seem to cope with it very well." "I know I have a file and there's things (information) in it about me. The guys (staff) do talk to me about it but I can't remember much about it but I'm not bothered because I'm well looked after." Within the four care records we examined we noted that some people had much less capacity than others to make important decisions about the care and support they receive. The manager and those staff we spoke with all confirmed that they were fully aware of people's rights to make choices about how their care, treatment and support was provided and that these rights would be fully respected and taken into account. Staff spoken with had a good awareness of people's rights to make their own choices and decisions. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of supporting people who were assessed as not having full capacity. This meant that people received care and support in Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

7 a way that was acceptable to them and maintained their rights as an individual. We observed how people were supported and cared for. Staff treated people with respect. In most instances they explained to people what they were going to do before they started. We saw where one person refused a particular offer of assistance and became verbally aggressive. The member of staff respected their wishes but tried again later. We noted that meetings had taken place with representatives of people using the service who required support to make important decisions about their care needs. Details of those meetings were documented including decisions made about meeting the changing care needs of the individual. The provider may wish to note that although records of those meetings indicated that people and their representatives attended and gave consent to any changes to the persons care and treatment, signatures were not always obtained (where possible) to fully demonstrate this. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

8 Care and welfare of people who use services People should get safe and appropriate care that meets their needs and supports their rights Our judgement The provider was meeting this standard. People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights. Reasons for our judgement Some people who used the service had limited communication skills due to their dementia and because of this we were limited to the number of people we could speak with who could tell us what they thought of the service and how they were treated. In light of this we also spoke with care staff, observed care practices and observed people who used the service. Those people we did speak with during our visit told us that they were happy with the care and support they received at Downshaw Lodge. Comments included, "I'm being looked after well", "I get a shower when I want one, the guys (staff) are very good" and "I still like living here, the staff are fantastic with me." At the time of our visit the nurse in charge told us that a full review of care files was being undertaken. This was to ensure that all staff with the responsibility for maintaining the care records were clear about the documentation used and how to complete it appropriately. We looked at the care records of four people. They contained documentation regarding the initial referral and assessment of the individual before admission and risk assessments and care plans had been subsequently put in place to address their needs. These had been reviewed regularly. However, some documentation had not been fully completed and some staff had recorded information on the wrong document. When discussed with the nurse in charge we were told that this was why a full review of care plans and associated documentation was being carried out. Where possible care plans were drawn up and agreed with the involvement of the person using the service and/or relatives/representatives. People's signatures were not always obtained to demonstrate their involvement. The provider may wish to note that signatures should be obtained wherever possible to demonstrate that people using the service and their representative are fully involved and consulted about matters relating to care planning and ongoing care. Staff were observed to support and care for people appropriately, competently and Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

9 sensitively during our visit. They interacted with people appropriately, respected their wishes and maintained their dignity at all times. The dependency levels of people living in Downshaw Lodge was mixed, with some requiring more support than others. For instance, those with reduced mobility had been provided with, following an appropriate assessment, suitable aids to mobility to such as walking frames and wheelchairs. We saw staff encouraging people to maintain as much mobility as possible thereby helping to maximise their independence. Bath/shower and toilet areas had been fitted with suitable aids and adaptations. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

10 Cooperating with other providers People should get safe and coordinated care when they move between different services Our judgement The provider was meeting this standard. People's health, safety and welfare was protected when more than one provider was involved in their care and treatment, or when they moved between different services. This was because the provider worked in co-operation with others. Reasons for our judgement Some people who used the service had limited communication skills due to their dementia and because of this we were limited to the number of people we could speak with who could tell us what they thought of the service and how they were treated. In light of this we also spoke with care staff, observed care practices and observed people who used the service. Those people we did speak with told us that they did see their doctor and did attend hospital appointments. One person said, "I go to the hospital quite a lot because I have different complaints but the girls (staff) always come with me because I forget what they tell me at the hospital." The manager and staff confirmed that they had good working relationships with other visiting health care professionals and agencies. During our visit the staff were particularly busy dealing with visiting professionals. Three social workers visited at various times of the day to carry out service user reviews and district nurses called to carry out minor medical interventions with people using the service. Observing staff interacting with these visiting professionals demonstrated positive working relationships were being maintained. We had the opportunity to speak with one visiting health care professional who visited the home on a regular basis. They told us that they were very happy with the support they have seen people receive and that the staff team followed any advice and recommendations about people's ongoing health and care needs. They also told us that the records were kept up to date and were appropriately recorded and that they had no concerns about the service. We saw examples of joint working with other agencies including the Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) and the community dietician. Professionals from these agencies had been involved in developing care plans and support for people living in the home and it was evident from improvements in people's health that their input had been valued and used effectively. Information in some of the files we examined indicated that multi-disciplinary team meetings were held to discuss the changing needs of people using the service. These Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

11 meetings involved the manager, nurses, care staff, family, service user (if appropriate) and external professional staff, for example, social workers and community psychiatric nurses. Such meetings would enable a wider professional review to be taken of the service provided at Downshaw Lodge. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

12 Cleanliness and infection control People should be cared for in a clean environment and protected from the risk of infection Our judgement The provider was meeting this standard. People were cared for in a clean, hygienic environment. Reasons for our judgement Some people who used the service had limited communication skills due to their dementia and because of this we were limited to the number of people we could speak with who could tell us what they thought of the service and how they were treated. In light of this we also spoke with care staff, observed care practices and observed people who used the service. One person living in the home told us, "You won't get any bad smells in here, the cleaners work hard to keep the place clean." Another person said, "The cleaner does my room most days, she knows how I like things left." All areas of the home were found to be clean, tidy and free from any unpleasant smells. All toilet and bathrooms areas viewed were found to be clean and hygienic. Hand washing soap dispensers were strategically placed around the home. Guidance on hand washing techniques were displayed above wash hand basins in most places. This information was supplied by the NHS and informed people of the best way to make sure their hands were clean following using the bathroom. We saw domestic staff responding to requests when 'urgent' cleaning was needed of a toilet or other communal areas. This was done as discreetly as possible and with minimum fuss. Information had been made available to the staff on which cleaning products should be used in particular parts of the home. Colour coded equipment was also supplied such as mops and buckets. The colours identified which areas those coloured mops should be used, for example, toilets only. The use of such equipment would help to minimise the risk of cross infection taking place within the home. All staff working in the home had access to personal protective equipment such as vinyl gloves and plastic aprons to wear when carrying out personal care tasks. The use of such equipment helps to minimise the risk of any spread of infections. All staff spoken with confirmed they had completed infection control training. A regular visiting health care professional told us, "The home is always clean and tidy whenever I visit." The Community Infection Control Team visited the home in November The service achieved a rating of 93 per cent and was found to be compliant. A copy of this report was Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

13 made available at the time of our visit. A copy of the Department of Health Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance was also available in the home. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

14 Staffing There should be enough members of staff to keep people safe and meet their health and welfare needs Our judgement The provider was meeting this standard. There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. Reasons for our judgement At the time of our visit to the service the registered manager of Downshaw Lodge was on a period of extended leave (the Care Quality Commission had been notified about this) and the staff team were being led by another experienced home manager who was covering the management of the home. He was being supported by the regional manager for the service who was also at the home on the day of our inspection visit. Other members of the staff team included nursing, care, administrative, catering, and domestic and maintenance staff. Some people who used the service had limited communication skills due to their dementia and because of this we were limited to the number of people we could speak with who could tell us what they thought of the service and how they were treated. In light of this we also spoke with care staff, observed care practices and observed people who used the service. Those people we did speak with told us that they felt staffing levels were sufficient to meet their needs and the following comments were made, "There is always one of the guys (staff) around if you need them", "The nurses are always kept busy", and "Sometimes they're really busy and you might have to wait a bit but can expect that to happen now and again". Staff we spoke with told us that staffing levels were usually of sufficient numbers to ensure people's needs were being met appropriately but that difficulties arose if staff rang in 'sick' at the last minute making cover difficult for management to find. We were provided with a number of staffing rotas covering nursing and care staff teams. These rotas indicated that enough skilled and experienced staff were usually on duty at any one time to meet people's assessed needs. The manager told us that there had been a recent successful recruitment drive and three more nurses had been recruited subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks being completed and confirmed. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

15 Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision The service should have quality checking systems to manage risks and assure the health, welfare and safety of people who receive care Our judgement The provider was meeting this standard. The provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive. Reasons for our judgement Some people who used the service had limited communication skills due to their dementia and because of this we were limited to the number of people we could speak with who could tell us what they thought of the service and how they were treated. In light of this we also spoke with care staff, observed care practices and observed people who used the service. Those people we did speak with told us that the nurses and staff always made sure they were happy with things. One person said "The nurse always asks me how I am and if I want anything." Another person said, "It's good living here. We do talk about things about the home, especially with (carer). She is good and listens to what you say." During our visit we saw all staff engage with people to make sure they were happy with things on a day to day basis. People's preferences about their daily lifestyle were known by all the staff and were respected. This demonstrated that people's experiences and expectations of the service were being informally monitored. We looked at the Quality Monitoring systems in place and spoke with both the manager covering the service and the visiting regional manager about the systems used to monitor care delivery. The regional manager confirmed that annual quality monitoring surveys had been conducted with people using the service, relatives and staff during Due to the ongoing absence of the registered manager, some audits had not been carried out with their usual frequency but the manager covering the service was in the process of addressing this issue. We saw that monthly audits (checks) of areas such as, medication administration and management, safeguarding and care plans were being planned. On the day of our visit, a full audit of all medication administration, management and practice was being conducted by a local pharmacy (who supplies medication to the home). The manager reviewed10 per cent of care plan documentation on a weekly basis. Such audits helped to identify, monitor and manage risks to people who used the service. Regular staff meetings had been held to establish views and suggestions and identify (and subsequently address) and issues regarding the quality of the service provided. Staff Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

16 spoken with confirmed that these meetings were taking place. The regional manager had the responsibility for over viewing all audits undertaken in the home and when any shortfalls are identified would be responsible, along with the registered manager, to ensure an action plan was developed to remedy the shortfall(s). Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

17 Complaints People should have their complaints listened to and acted on properly Our judgement The provider was meeting this standard. There was an effective complaints system available. Comments and complaints people made were responded to appropriately. Reasons for our judgement Some people who used the service had limited communication skills due to their dementia and because of this we were limited to the number of people we could speak with who could tell us what they thought of the service and how they were treated. In light of this we also spoke with care staff, observed care practices and observed people who used the service. Those people we did speak with told us that they felt confident to raise any concerns they may have. One person told us, "I don't have any problems or any complaints but if I did I would tell (nurse) she would listen to me and what I had to say." Another person said, "I am always being asked by (nurse) if I am happy with everything. If I wasn't I would tell her, no problem." People living in Downshaw Lodge were provided with information about how to raise a concern or complaint in the Service User Guide. Copies of this document had been placed in people's bedrooms and provided to family members. Staff spoken with were very clear about what to do if someone raised a complaint or a concern with them, confirming that they would report it to the nurse or senior in charge at the time. A written record was kept of all complaints received and we asked to see the file in which complaints were kept. No complaints had been recorded since our last visit to the service in May 2012 although we were aware of one recent complaint that was being dealt with by the manager but required recording in the file. The provider may wish to note that It is important that all concerns and complaints brought to the attention of the person in charge are recorded at the time they are made in order to demonstrate that the provider listened to people's complaints and acted on them properly. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

18 About CQC inspections We are the regulator of health and social care in England. All providers of regulated health and social care services have a legal responsibility to make sure they are meeting essential standards of quality and safety. These are the standards everyone should be able to expect when they receive care. The essential standards are described in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 and the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations We regulate against these standards, which we sometimes describe as "government standards". We carry out unannounced inspections of all care homes, acute hospitals and domiciliary care services in England at least once a year to judge whether or not the essential standards are being met. We carry out inspections of dentists and other services at least once every two years. All of our inspections are unannounced unless there is a good reason to let the provider know we are coming. There are 16 essential standards that relate most directly to the quality and safety of care and these are grouped into five key areas. When we inspect we could check all or part of any of the 16 standards at any time depending on the individual circumstances of the service. Because of this we often check different standards at different times but we always inspect at least one standard from each of the five key areas every year. We may check fewer key areas in the case of dentists and some other services. When we inspect, we always visit and we do things like observe how people are cared for, and we talk to people who use the service, to their carers and to staff. We also review information we have gathered about the provider, check the service's records and check whether the right systems and processes are in place. We focus on whether or not the provider is meeting the standards and we are guided by whether people are experiencing the outcomes they should be able to expect when the standards are being met. By outcomes we mean the impact care has on the health, safety and welfare of people who use the service, and the experience they have whilst receiving it. Our inspectors judge if any action is required by the provider of the service to improve the standard of care being provided. Where providers are non-compliant with the regulations, we take enforcement action against them. If we require a service to take action, or if we take enforcement action, we re-inspect it before its next routine inspection was due. This could mean we re-inspect a service several times in one year. We also might decide to reinspect a service if new concerns emerge about it before the next routine inspection. In between inspections we continually monitor information we have about providers. The information comes from the public, the provider, other organisations, and from care workers. You can tell us about your experience of this provider on our website. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

19 How we define our judgements The following pages show our findings and regulatory judgement for each essential standard or part of the standard that we inspected. Our judgements are based on the ongoing review and analysis of the information gathered by CQC about this provider and the evidence collected during this inspection. We reach one of the following judgements for each essential standard inspected. This means that the standard was being met in that the provider was compliant with the regulation. If we find that standards were met, we take no regulatory action but we may make comments that may be useful to the provider and to the public about minor improvements that could be made. Action needed This means that the standard was not being met in that the provider was non-compliant with the regulation. We may have set a compliance action requiring the provider to produce a report setting out how and by when changes will be made to make sure they comply with the standard. We monitor the implementation of action plans in these reports and, if necessary, take further action. We may have identified a breach of a regulation which is more serious, and we will make sure action is taken. We will report on this when it is complete. Enforcement action taken If the breach of the regulation was more serious, or there have been several or continual breaches, we have a range of actions we take using the criminal and/or civil procedures in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and relevant regulations. These enforcement powers include issuing a warning notice; restricting or suspending the services a provider can offer, or the number of people it can care for; issuing fines and formal cautions; in extreme cases, cancelling a provider or managers registration or prosecuting a manager or provider. These enforcement powers are set out in law and mean that we can take swift, targeted action where services are failing people. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

20 How we define our judgements (continued) Where we find non-compliance with a regulation (or part of a regulation), we state which part of the regulation has been breached. We make a judgement about the level of impact on people who use the service (and others, if appropriate to the regulation) from the breach. This could be a minor, moderate or major impact. Minor impact people who use the service experienced poor care that had an impact on their health, safety or welfare or there was a risk of this happening. The impact was not significant and the matter could be managed or resolved quickly. Moderate impact people who use the service experienced poor care that had a significant effect on their health, safety or welfare or there was a risk of this happening. The matter may need to be resolved quickly. Major impact people who use the service experienced poor care that had a serious current or long term impact on their health, safety and welfare, or there was a risk of this happening. The matter needs to be resolved quickly We decide the most appropriate action to take to ensure that the necessary changes are made. We always follow up to check whether action has been taken to meet the standards. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

21 Glossary of terms we use in this report Essential standard The essential standards of quality and safety are described in our Guidance about compliance: Essential standards of quality and safety. They consist of a significant number of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 and the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations These regulations describe the essential standards of quality and safety that people who use health and adult social care services have a right to expect. A full list of the standards can be found within the Guidance about compliance. The 16 essential standards are: Respecting and involving people who use services - Outcome 1 (Regulation 17) Consent to care and treatment - Outcome 2 (Regulation 18) Care and welfare of people who use services - Outcome 4 (Regulation 9) Meeting Nutritional Needs - Outcome 5 (Regulation 14) Cooperating with other providers - Outcome 6 (Regulation 24) Safeguarding people who use services from abuse - Outcome 7 (Regulation 11) Cleanliness and infection control - Outcome 8 (Regulation 12) Management of medicines - Outcome 9 (Regulation 13) Safety and suitability of premises - Outcome 10 (Regulation 15) Safety, availability and suitability of equipment - Outcome 11 (Regulation 16) Requirements relating to workers - Outcome 12 (Regulation 21) Staffing - Outcome 13 (Regulation 22) Supporting Staff - Outcome 14 (Regulation 23) Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision - Outcome 16 (Regulation 10) Complaints - Outcome 17 (Regulation 19) Records - Outcome 21 (Regulation 20) Regulated activity These are prescribed activities related to care and treatment that require registration with CQC. These are set out in legislation, and reflect the services provided. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

22 Glossary of terms we use in this report (continued) (Registered) Provider There are several legal terms relating to the providers of services. These include registered person, service provider and registered manager. The term 'provider' means anyone with a legal responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of the law are carried out. On our website we often refer to providers as a 'service'. Regulations We regulate against the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 and the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations Responsive inspection This is carried out at any time in relation to identified concerns. Routine inspection This is planned and could occur at any time. We sometimes describe this as a scheduled inspection. Themed inspection This is targeted to look at specific standards, sectors or types of care. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May

23 Contact us Phone: Write to us at: Care Quality Commission Citygate Gallowgate Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4PA Website: Copyright Copyright (2011) Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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 CQC copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Inspection Report Downshaw Lodge May