residential care home romsley, halesowen, west midlands

Yew Tree Nursing Home Inspection Summary

Date and Time of Inspection Visit : 17/06/2009 - Latest Rating:   EXCELLENT

Registered with CQC (formerly CSCI NCSC), below is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

"We, the commission, undertook an unannounced inspection of this service, which means that the home did not know we were coming. This was a key inspection which is an inspection where we look at a wide range of areas.

Before the inspection an Annual Quality Assurance Assessment document was posted to the service for completion. The Annual Quality Assurance Assessment is a self assessment and a dataset that each registered provider has to complete each year and send to us within agreed timescales. The document tells us about how providers of services are meeting outcomes for people who use the service and is an opportunity for them to share with us what aspects of the service they believe they are doing well.
Some of the provider's comments have been included within this inspection report.

Information was gathered from speaking to and observing people who lived at Yew Trees. Three people were 'case tracked', this involved discovering their experiences of living at the home by meeting and observing them, looking at medication and care files, and reviewing areas of the home relevant to these people in order to focus on outcomes. Case tracking helps us understand the experiences of people using the service.

Surveys were sent out and we received 13 completed surveys from residents and three completed surveys from relatives.

What the care home does well
Yew Trees provides a safe purpose built environment for people to live in. There is an informal, relaxed and friendly atmosphere in all areas of the home, and staff were observed talking and laughing with the residents.

We were told by relatives and individuals that they had been provided with sufficient information about the home to assist them to make an informed choice prior to moving in. The manager encourages people to visit the home before making up their minds. All people are assessed before moving into the home to ensure that the home can meet their health and physical needs safely.

People using the service told us that they have their health and personal care needs completed in a polite and courteous way, and their preferences about their care is respected.

The staff told us that the home is committed to them receiving training, and that they have the skills and knowledge to meet the care needs of the people living there.

We were told that the activities organiser was off sick, but this had been excellent and they are hoping that they return to work when feeling better.

The home has a thorough recruitment procedure in place so that only people suitable to work with vulnerable people are employed.

People living at the home receive a well-balanced and varied diet that meets their nutritional and dietary needs

The home is managed in the interests of the people who live there. The health and safety of the people who use the service are protected by the policies and procedures in the home.

What has improved since the last inspection?
Following the last key inspection the home was given two requirements around recruitment and risk assessments. Several recommendations were made for good practice. Yew Trees have worked to address the requirements and put in place the good practice recommendations. The Annual Quality Assurance Assessment received from the home provides clear information in what the home have done and their plans for further improvement. This inspection made no requirements and the overall rating given is excellent which shows improvement.

The home has updated their Statement of Purpose and Service User's Guide, which is now available in alternative formats and is easier for people enquiring or using the service to understand.

Care plans have been reviewed and people using the service have been involved with the update, this assists in providing care records which are person centred for the individual person.

What they could do better?
The home has a thorough recruitment procedure in place, but it was recommended
that all new staff provide a full employment history from leaving school."