Summary of CSCI report following inspection on 20th February 2009
This is an overview of what we found during the inspection.
The quality rating for this care home is:
Three Star excellent service
Our judgement for each outcome:
Choice of home GOOD
Health and personal care GOOD
Daily life and social activities EXCELLENT
Complaints and protection GOOD
Environment GOOD
Staffing GOOD
Management and administration EXCELLENT
How we did our inspection:
This inspection report includes information gathered about the service since the
previous site visit on 1st March 2007 under the Commission's 'Inspecting for Better
Lives' (ILB) process. The registered manager, Mrs Rosemary Gorvin, completed an
Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) giving up-to-date factual evidence about
the running of the home and informing us of what they think they are doing well, how
they have improved the service and of their plans for further improvements.
Residents completed six service user surveys, some with support from their relatives and
representatives, giving their views on the running of the home.
Eight staff members and four healthcare professionals also completed surveys, giving their views on the care and support given to the residents.
An unannounced site visit was conducted on 20th February 2009, to assess the outcomes of the key inspection standards for older people with respect to the residents living at the home. The registered manager was interviewed and provided support for the inspection process by making residents' and staff files and other documents available to be sampled. A tour of the premises was undertaken and communal areas and some of the residents' bedrooms were viewed. A number of staff and residents were spoken with throughout the day and observations were made of the residents and of staff as they carried out their duties. Residents' and staff records, maintenance certificates and complaints and compliments records were sampled and the Statement of Purpose, the Service User Guide and policies and procedures were viewed.
What the care home does well:
A health care professional commented on what they thought the care service does well,
'it provides overall excellent care and meets the needs of very sick patients, many
towards the end of life, with skill and compassion. Good team work, good
communication with patients, relatives, and other health professionals. They provide
nursing and health care workers, who work to high standards.'
Residents are treated as individuals, who are supported to follow their personal
interests, enjoy stimulating activities, both within the home and in the community, and
to retain as much of their independence as possible. Contact with important people in
their lives is promoted and nutritious and attractive meals are provided. On the tour of
the premises, in a large lounge, in the main house, residents were taking part in a
song and dance session with a visiting entertainer. Some of the residents were dancing
with the staff and their animated faces confirmed they were having a good time. Those
who were watching were singing along and smiling.
A relative wrote on a resident's survey, 'I consider Wenham Holt to be an exemplary
example of a care home, run by a person and staff, who are obviously dedicated to the
well-being of elderly and very vulnerable people. It is a great comfort to me that my
wife is in their care', and another relative stated, 'I don't think anyone could improve
upon this service.' A resident commented, 'this place exudes kindness and care and I
cannot recommend it more highly. I feel part of it, as a family.'
There was an open, positive and inclusive management approach at the home and staff
spoken with felt valued. This home continues to be a family business and the manager
stated, ' our philosophy is, that Wenham Holt Nursing Home is, above all, a home for
our residents. We strive to offer a service, which is as personal as it can be, and
recognise the importance of the relationship between a person receiving care and a
care provider, and take the provision of care very personally, as we are so involved in
this respect, with our residents. We all work very hard at providing an environment
where everybody feels valued and an important member of our small community'.
A relative commented, 'the caring staff provide a first class service.'
What has improved since the last inspection?
Many improvements had been made over the previous year, as a result of listening tothe people who use the service, including, improved access to the garden byconstructing a new drive to the side of the home, improving the patio area for theenjoyment of the residents, and the installation of a hot water outlet to enable relatives, friends and other visitors, to make themselves a hot drink.
New bedroom and garden furniture had been purchased, arrangements had been made
to use the hydrotherapy pool at the sister home of Eastfield, a new menu had been
introduced offering a wide range of choice to the residents, and the activity coordinator's
hours had been extended to include activities such as hand massage,
aromatherapy and social interaction.
Other environmental improvements included external re-decoration, a new soakaway
to prevent flooding at the rear of the extension and replacement fencing, in addition to
the on going maintenance and internal re-decoration programme to ensure this
remains a pleasant home for the residents to enjoy.
What they could do better:
Residents live in a well managed home, in which their opinions are sought and acted
upon for the improvement and development of the service. This service is committed
to continuous improvement.
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 4.
The report of this inspection is available from our website www.cqc.org.uk. You can get
printed copies from enquiries@cqc.org.uk or by telephoning our order line .0870 240
7535.