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. Trembaths Talbot Way, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 1UA Tel: Date of Inspection: 25 June 2014 Date of Publication: July 2014 We inspected the following standards as part of a routine inspection. This is what we found: Care and welfare of people who use services Meeting nutritional needs Safeguarding people who use services from abuse Requirements relating to workers Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision Met this standard Met this standard Action needed Met this standard Met this standard Inspection Report Trembaths July

2 Details about this location Registered Provider Registered Manager Overview of the service Type of service Regulated activities Methodist Homes Ms Andrea Thorpe Trembaths provides a service for up to 51 older people and older people living with dementia. 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 Trembaths July

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 What we have told the provider to do 5 More information about the provider 5 Our judgements for each standard inspected: Care and welfare of people who use services 7 Meeting nutritional needs 9 Safeguarding people who use services from abuse 11 Requirements relating to workers 13 Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision 14 Information primarily for the provider: Action we have told the provider to take 16 About CQC Inspections 17 How we define our judgements 18 Glossary of terms we use in this report 20 Contact us 22 Inspection Report Trembaths July

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 25 June 2014, observed how people were being cared for and talked with people who use the service. We talked with staff and reviewed information sent to us by commissioners of services. What people told us and what we found We set out to answer five questions. These were whether the service is caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led? Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, discussions with people who used the service and the staff that supported them. We also spent time looking at records. If you wish to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report. Is the service safe? We found that care was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. Where applications had needed to be submitted, proper policies and procedures had been followed. Relevant staff had been trained to understand when an application should be made, and how to submit one. We found that the service was required to make improvements in relation to safeguarding people from the risk of abuse. The service followed appropriate recruitment procedures to ensure staff were of good character and had suitable experience and skills for the role. Is the service effective? We saw that the risk assessments and support plans in people's care plans had been reviewed and updated on a monthly basis. We looked at the care notes for people whose plans we had viewed and saw that care was Inspection Report Trembaths July

5 recorded as being delivered in accordance with the plans. We also looked at accident and incident forms. We found that where there were unexplained bruises and skin tears, these had been fully investigated. People were supported in accordance with their needs and their care plans in relation to receiving sufficient nutrition and hydration. Is the service caring? We observed staff interaction with people who used the service and noted that interactions were positive. Staff were attentive. We spoke with people who used the service and they told us that staff were kind. Is the service responsive? We found that the service responded to its internal audits and developed action plans. There was a record of these actions being completed. Meeting notes, complaints and survey analysis that we viewed demonstrated that the service had responded appropriately to feedback. Is the service well led? The home was being run by a peripatetic manager until three weeks prior to our inspection. A peripatetic manager is a manager brought into a service by the provider to cover the vacancy of a permanent manager and resolve any ongoing issues. A new manager had recently started in post. We found that areas they had identified in relation to the quality of the service were being addressed and were still in progress. We spoke with staff who felt that the peripatetic manager had made a difference to the service and felt they had made a positive impact on the staff team. You can see our judgements on the front page of this report. What we have told the provider to do We have asked the provider to send us a report by 20 August 2014, setting out the action they will take to meet the standards. We will check to make sure that this action is taken. Where providers are not meeting essential standards, we have a range of enforcement powers we can use to protect the health, safety and welfare of people who use this service (and others, where appropriate). When we propose to take enforcement action, our decision is open to challenge by the provider through a variety of internal and external appeal processes. We will publish a further report on any action we take. 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 Inspection Report Trembaths July

6 we use in the report. Inspection Report Trembaths July

7 Our judgements for each standard inspected Care and welfare of people who use services Met this standard People should get safe and appropriate care that meets their needs and supports their rights Our judgement The provider was meeting this standard. Care was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. Reasons for our judgement We viewed the care plans for five people who used the service. We saw that they included assessments and care plans for all individually assessed needs. These included falls, pressure care management, nutrition and personal care. We reviewed the pressure care management at the service. We saw that people had care plans in place to instruct staff on what care they required and staff were able to explain the risk factors that could cause a pressure ulcer. We saw that all repositioning charts were completed consistently. However, the provider may find it useful to note that one person, who was at very high risk of developing a pressure ulcer, was not on a pressure relieving cushion and their mattress showed that a fault had occurred for more than 24hrs. The care plans were written in a person centred way and detailed specific needs and preferences of people. We spoke with staff who were able to clearly explain what a person centred approach was and why it was important. When asked about people's needs, staff expressed a good knowledge about each person we asked about. The care plans included extensive information about people's backgrounds, completed by the staff with the person or, where appropriate, their family member. This information covered the person's life, their memories, hobbies, what was important to them and the activities they liked. There were several activities available for people to participate in and these were displayed on activity boards throughout the service. There were also weekly religious services which we saw people attending on the morning of our inspection. People were encouraged to use the garden and there was a sensory room that was freely accessible. Throughout the building there were objects to engage people. For example, a typewriter at a desk, a computer for people who wanted to learn new skills and a washing and ironing corner, complete with a clothes line. Inspection Report Trembaths July

8 We observed staff interaction with people, and in communal areas, their moving and handling techniques. In most cases staff were attentive, kind and gentle. For example, when they went into a room where a person was sleeping, they quietly woke them to offer a drink and subtly guided people to their seat. However, the provider may find it useful to note that we did observe a staff member assist people with mobility and support them to eat and drink without interacting with them. We also observed a staff member support a person who was living with dementia and had become disoriented. The staff member's response was skilled and appropriate which demonstrated good knowledge of the person and how to support people living with dementia. They quickly reassured the person and had them chatting and reminiscing rather than being anxious as they had been previously. We spoke with six people who used the service who were generally positive about the service and the staff. People told us that staff were caring and that they received everything that they needed. One person told us they preferred to stay in their room and we noted that staff were aware of this. Inspection Report Trembaths July

9 Meeting nutritional needs Met this standard Food and drink should meet people's individual dietary needs Our judgement The provider was meeting this standard. People were protected from the risks of inadequate nutrition and dehydration. Reasons for our judgement We observed breakfast and lunch during our inspection. Both mealtimes were calm and there were sufficient staff available to support people to eat and drink. However, the provider may find it useful to note that we observed a staff member support different people without washing their hands in between. Staff were aware of who needed support and of their individual dietary requirements. We also spoke with the chef who worked from a folder which detailed people's dietary requirements. This included diabetic diets, vegetarian and soft diets for people who had swallowing difficulties. With regard to the diabetic diet, and if someone had needed a gluten free diet, the chef told us, "I make them the same food but using their diabetic or gluten free ingredients." This meant that people who had different dietary needs received the same choices as people who did not have specific dietary needs. We saw that the chef cooked most things from scratch on the premises. They used a detailed recipe book which set out what ingredients must be used to ensure the appropriate nutritional value of each meal. Staff told us, and we saw, that meal choices were offered at the table at the time of the meal. People were given an option and where they appeared not to be enjoying their food, an alternative was offered. We spoke with staff who told us that if a person did not like anything on offer, "We call down to the kitchen and they make something else." Staff worked to a list of people's names to ensure that they did not miss anyone at mealtime. This included both people who were independent and people who required support with eating. Where people needed support, or were at risk of dehydration or malnutrition, there was food and fluid intake charts used to record and monitor their progress. We looked at some of these charts, both in bedrooms and in communal areas, and saw that food and drink was offered regularly and appeared to be recorded accurately. For example, one chart we looked at stated, 'Offered 150mls of juice but only drank 50mls'. The charts also demonstrated that drinks were offered regularly, which had included during the night. Some of the people who used the service were living with dementia. Staff told us that some of the people they supported tended to pick at food rather than sit at the table. We saw that finger foods were placed around the communal areas in between meals so that Inspection Report Trembaths July

10 people could help themselves while moving about the home. We looked at the care plans for four people who used the service and had complex nutritional needs. We saw that each person had their nutritional needs assessed and had a care plan in place which provided staff with guidance on how to support them. We saw that this included their weight which was reviewed either weekly or monthly depending on their needs. The records of people's weights showed that they remained stable or had increased. This meant that people had received the appropriate support and nutritional intake to meet their individual needs. Inspection Report Trembaths July

11 Safeguarding people who use services from abuse Action needed People should be protected from abuse and staff should respect their human rights Our judgement The provider was not meeting this standard. People who used the service were not protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had not taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. We have judged that this has a minor impact on people who use the service, and have told the provider to take action. Please see the 'Action' section within this report. Reasons for our judgement The service had a policy on safeguarding people from the risk of abuse and whistleblowing. The policy included a contact number for an outside agency that could be called if a person was concerned that they or another person was at risk of abuse. We saw that in the reception area, and also in the staff room, there was a 'No Secrets' leaflet displayed. The 'No secrets' is guidance from the Department of Health on protecting vulnerable adults using care services. We also saw from meeting notes that safeguarding people from the risk of abuse had been discussed at a recent resident and relatives meeting. Other than the 'No Secrets' leaflet the manager and deputy manager could not tell us is there was any prominent safeguarding information displayed. We toured the environment with the deputy manager and found a poster relating to safeguarding people from abuse in one of the nurses offices. However, this included an incorrect contact number for the relevant local authority. There was no other prominently displayed information on how staff, and people who used the service or their relatives, could contact the safeguarding team if they needed to report concerns about someone's safety or welfare. CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. Where applications had needed to be submitted, proper policies and procedures had been followed. Staff had been trained to understand when an application should be made, and how to submit one. We saw that the peripatetic manager had acted appropriately in regards to responding to the possibility of abuse. They had reported and investigated unexplained bruises and skin tears to prevent the risk of abuse occurring. However, during the course of our inspection we received comments regarding an incident from a staff member which they had not raised as a concern with the management or reported externally. We were unable to corroborate the issue raised during inspection. We informed the peripatetic manager to enable them to investigate and contact the local authority. Inspection Report Trembaths July

12 We saw from training that most staff had attended safeguarding people from abuse training. However, we saw that two new members of staff had not yet completed this training. This meant that new staff members may not be able to respond appropriately to an incident of abuse. We spoke with five staff members who were not clear on who they would report to or how they would report concerns outside of the organisation. Although most of the staff we spoke with were able to explain what abuse was and who they would raise concerns with internally, for example their manager, they were unable to tell us what support agencies were available externally, for example the local authority's safeguarding team. One staff member told us they would contact "Safeguarding" but could not tell us how they would contact them. This meant that should an allegation of abuse be made staff may not be able to respond and act appropriately to protect people from the risk of abuse. Inspection Report Trembaths July

13 Requirements relating to workers Met this standard People should be cared for by staff who are properly qualified and able to do their job Our judgement The provider was meeting this standard. People were cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. Reasons for our judgement We viewed four personnel files of staff employed at the service. We saw that these included information in accordance with appropriate recruitment procedures. Each staff member whose files we viewed had been employed at the service for varying lengths of time which included some who had been employed a number of years and those just recently employed. We saw that the service held a checklist of all items required and obtained prior to and during employment. The information on the files included written references, a photograph, identification, a record of a criminal record check, an application form and interview questions. We saw that past employment had been explored to ensure that staff had the appropriate experience, knowledge and skills for the role. There was a record of staff training that had been attended, which included an induction. The relevant documentation in regards to a staff member's professional registration had also been obtained. This ensured that staff employed had the appropriate skills for their role. The files also included a copy of an employment contract and a job description to ensure staff were clear on their roles and responsibilities. Inspection Report Trembaths July

14 Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision Met this standard 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 received. Reasons for our judgement The manager at the service had been in post just over three weeks and was supported by the peripatetic manager for their induction. The peripatetic manager had carried out regular monthly audits in areas such as care plans and medication. Where issues had been identified, these had been developed into action plans. The new manager was aware of the action plans and had been working through them. We saw a record of actions attached to a person's care plan with a target date for completion. The manager told us that they would be going back to check each action was completed by the set date and had monitored progress with staff. The service carried out analysis in areas of risk which included falls, weight monitoring, pressure ulcer care, staff training and incidents in the home. The peripatetic manager told us that they reviewed this information to look for trends to reduce occurrences. This information was also monitored by the regional manager. We saw a record of this analysis and looked at accident and incident forms. We found that where unexplained bruises and skin tears occurred these had been fully investigated. The service took account of people's views. We saw that where suggestions or comments had been made by people who used the service or their relatives, these were taken on board and then acted upon. For example, comments relating to the quality of food resulted in an action of the chef coming out of the kitchen and seeing people while they ate. We saw during our inspection, and staff confirmed, that this had taken place. The complaints policy was displayed in the reception area and was also included in the welcome pack when people moved into the service. We looked at the complaints log and saw that each complaint had been managed in accordance with the policy. The manager had kept a progress record which ensured each complaint was handled effectively. We spoke with people who used the service who told us they knew how to raise complaints. Staff were aware of the process to follow if a complaint was brought to them. Staff also told us that they were kept informed of complaints through meetings, and handovers, and told how to change or improve practise as a result where appropriate. Inspection Report Trembaths July

15 We saw notes of regular staff meetings which showed that staff were kept informed of changes to practises, policies or how the service operated. We spoke with staff who were proud of the recent changes and 'improvements' to the service. They all told us that they felt they had worked hard to ensure they followed the peripatetic managers lead and had systems in place which would ensure standards were maintained. Inspection Report Trembaths July

16 This section is primarily information for the provider Action we have told the provider to take Compliance actions The table below shows the essential standards of quality and safety that were not being met. The provider must send CQC a report that says what action they are going to take to meet these essential standards. Regulated activities Accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care Diagnostic and screening procedures Treatment of disease, disorder or injury Regulation Regulation 11 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 Safeguarding people who use services from abuse How the regulation was not being met: The provider did not make suitable arrangements to ensure that people were safeguarded against the risk of abuse. Regulation11 (1) (b) (3) (d) This report is requested under regulation 10(3) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations The provider's report should be sent to us by 20 August CQC should be informed when compliance actions are complete. We will check to make sure that action has been taken to meet the standards and will report on our judgements. Inspection Report Trembaths July

17 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 other services less often. 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. 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 Trembaths July

18 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. Met this standard 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 Trembaths July

19 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. Only where there is non compliance with one or more of Regulations 9-24 of the Regulated Activity Regulations, will our report include a judgement about the level of impact on people who use the service (and others, if appropriate to the regulation). 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 Trembaths July

20 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 Trembaths July

21 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 Trembaths July

22 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 Trembaths July