• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Alderbrook Care

271-275 Hale End Road, Woodford Green, IG8 9NB (020) 8531 5081

Provided and run by:
Alderbrook Care Limited

All Inspections

1, 5 November 2013

During a routine inspection

One relative we spoke to us 'I am very involved in planning the care for my relative. I attend reviews and am kept informed.'

The manager told us people's needs were assessed prior to coming to the home and these assessments formed the basis of their care plans when they moved into the home.

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.

Appropriate checks were undertaken before staff began work. We looked at the recruitment records of staff. We found that checks such as references and checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) were carried out in each case, prior to staff being employed at the home.

Staff records and other records relevant to the management of the services were accurate and fit for purpose

22 March and 8 April 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

At this inspection we found that improvements had been made.

One relative commented 'the new manager is trying to uplift the home which I think is very good.' Another said 'there was a lot of poor practice which has now gone.'

We were told all care plans had been reviewed. We saw they clearly identified areas for support. Care plans addressed areas such as mobility, continence, understanding and orientation, dressing and grooming, physical health needs, friends and family, interests and cultural needs.

Evacuation plans had been implemented and we saw that clear instructions were located at the fire exits in the home. Staff we spoke to described what they would do in the event of an emergency and were clear about who would be in charge in such situations.

Medicines were safely administered. We observed staff giving medicines to people, and we saw that this was done safely, with staff taking time to ensure that people were encouraged to take their medicines

The manager told us they had asked staff, people who used the service, relatives and professionals who visited the service to complete questionnaires. We saw nine that were completed by staff and all had commented that there were positive changes and improvements since the new manager had arrived.

At this inspection whilst there had been some improvement in what was written in care records we found files were very large and care plans and risk assessments contained a lot of information.

19 December 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We found that where people did not have the capacity to consent, the provider acted in accordance with legal requirements. We saw evidence that best interest assessments had taken place and that the best interest assessors recommendations were being followed.

The homes safeguarding policy had been reviewed and the procedure was clear about what staff should do if they suspected abuse. It was clear about who to contact within the local authority. The managers and staff gave detailed accounts of how to protect vulnerable adults.

The kitchen and food storage area was clean and we saw the cleaning records ensured they were checked and cleaned regularly. The infection control policy had been updated to include a hand washing procedure.

22 October 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

On this occasion we did not speak with anyone who uses the service about the way their medicines are managed.

People were not protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider did not have appropriate arrangements in place for the security of the medicines storage keys and recording of medicines. There was insufficient guidance in place for staff on the use of some medicines.

12, 13, 21 September 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

The home was previously inspected in January 2012 when a number of concerns were identified leading to compliance actions. We inspected the home to follow-up on compliance actions and to look at progress since the last inspection. Before the inspection the registered manager reported to the Care Quality Commission that all compliance actions had been acted upon. People that we spoke to including family members said they were satisfied with the overall quality of care provided at the home. Care planning and reviews were taking place but specialist assessments were not always requested and as a result some people's needs were not adequately met. There was serious concern about the number of unaccounted bruises and skin tears that some older people had sustained. Care staff said they had raised these concerns with the registered manager, but they had not been formally investigated or raised as safeguarding alerts with the local authority. There was no hot water at the time of the inspection and this had affected the delivery of people's personal care. The provider had made some improvements to the physical environment in terms of basic redecoration and repair of fixtures and fittings. Audit arrangements had not been viewed collectively to identify and manage risks relating to the welfare and safety of people who used the service or staff.

26 January 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

We did not discuss all outcome areas with people using the service due to their degree of communication difficulties. Those we spoke with were mostly positive and one person told us that the 'like living here'. People using the service, relatives and visitors were satisfied with the care provided and told us that the food was good.

There were some concerns raised regarding manual handling practice and the cleanliness of people after toileting.

Staff told us that training is available and of a good quality. Staff felt that privacy and dignity was respected during personal care.

28 April 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns

Most people could not tell us verbally how they were feeling. However, one person told us that the staff were 'kind' although added that staff seemed to change quite frequently. We noted that people were appropriately dressed and presented; they also appeared to be generally content and appropriately aware of their surroundings.

We spoke to a number of staff including three care staff. The care staff confirmed that they had undertaken a lot of recent training including dementia awareness, infection control, moving and handling and safeguarding adults.

We spoke independently by telephone to both a GP and to a district nurse that attend people living in the home. They both informed us that communication with the home has improved since the new acting manager has been in post and neither had current concerns about the care provided by the home.