The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: The Chimes

6 St Christopher Avenue, Stoke On Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 5NA (01782) 744944

Provided and run by:
Mr William Molton & Mrs Marilyn Molton

All Inspections

11 February 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

During our last inspection on 05 September 2013 we found the service were not meeting the required standards in relation to the management of medicines, supporting workers and assessing and monitoring the quality of the service provision. This meant the registered provider needed to make improvements in this area to ensure that people who used the service received the essential standards of care.

During this inspection we found that improvements had been made in relation to the management of medicines. We saw that medicines were administered in a way that protected people's dignity and privacy. We found that staff had received training in the administration of medicines and medicines were stored appropriately.

We spoke with staff who told us that they had received updated training. We viewed records that showed the provider checked that staff were competent after training had been provided.

We found that there had been improvements made to the systems the provider had in place to monitor the quality of the service and gain the views of people who used the service.

5 September 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

The provider had made some improvements to all three of the outcomes identified as non compliant in the last report, although further development was needed to ensure full compliance. Medication was managed more safely but further staff training was needed in this area. Staff training had started and more was planned. People who used the service had their health and safety requirements assessed but the quality of services provided was not being monitored.

The provider had employed the services of a management consultant to implement the changes and improvements required. They had also recently employed a manager of the service, who would be applying to become registered manager. The two managers were working together effectively to implement improvements.

The home was undergoing a programme of redecoration. The managers were also working to implement improvements required by health and safety infection control officers. This will help to ensure that the environment is suitable and safe for people who use the service.

People who used the service told us that they were satisfied with the care and support provided to them but that there was not much for them to do. A visitor told us, "There is not much entertainment and I wish they would help my relative to walk more."

Staff did not always engage with people appropriately and support was delivered in a task orientated way. This meant that people did not always receive care according to their individual needs.

23 May 2013

During a routine inspection

People who used the service told us that they were satisfied with the level of care and support they received. They told us that staff were helpful and friendly and that the home was 'like one big family'. One person said, "The staff are great and the owner is very helpful. He will go out of his way to help." People told us that they received support according to their wishes. People received care and support in a personal way and in a way they preferred and had access to health care professionals for support, advice and treatment.

People felt able to approach the provider with concerns and said that they would be listened to.

We have concerns about the way medication is being managed by the provider. The provider needs to improve the way they record and store medication. We have told the provider that they must ensure that medication is stored safely and as prescribed and that correct and accurate records of medication are maintained.

We have concerns about the quality of induction training given to new staff and the lack of staff supervision. We have told the provider that they must improve in this area in order to ensure that staff have the necessary skills, are competent and properly supported.

We also have concerns that the provider does not monitor the quality of services that people receive. We have told the provider that they must improve in this area in order to ensure that people who use the service receive safe, effective quality care and support.

30 October 2012

During a routine inspection

Since our last inspection on March 1st 2012 the provider and staff team had worked with stakeholders to bring about improvements to the quality of services provided. During this inspection visit we found that improvements had been made to staffing provision and staff training and quality monitoring.

People who used the service understood the care, treatment and support choices available to them. People felt that they were treated with dignity and respect. A person said, "They are all very polite and respectful here".

People experienced appropriate personalised care and support and the care they received was closely monitored. People were supported to maintain their health care needs and had received treatment and advice from relevant health care professionals. The service was well supported by medical staff and the district nursing team. People with dementia care needs were supported by community psychiatric nurses. A person said, "It is great here the care is 100%".

There were systems in place to help keep people safe from harm or abuse.

The provider had reviewed and developed the staff team and staff training. There were sufficient staff on duty with the right knowledge and skills to support people.

The provider had developed an effective quality assurance system. Standards of care were monitored by the training supervisor.

The service was well managed and run in the best interests of the people living in the home.

1 March 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We visited to check if the service had made improvements since we visited last. On our last visit we identified concerns in respect of employment checks, staffing levels, staff training and support and how the service was monitoring and reviewing the care provided to people.

Everyone we spoke with that lived at the service was satisfied with the care they received. They said they got on with the staff and that staff attended to their needs promptly. A relative we spoke with said they were happy with the care provided.

When we visited this time we saw evidence that the service was making sure that recruitment checks were completed and suitable records were kept.

We saw that the service had made progress in providing staff with supervision and with staff training and support. The service had completed some supervision with staff and training had improved. A number of staff were booked to go on training in the near future. We identified that this progress needed to be maintained to make sure that the staff had the knowledge, skills and support to make sure that people received the care they needed.

When we visited previously there were not enough staff on duty to meet people's full needs. We saw that further staff had been employed that enabled the care staff to spend more time with people and for more activities to be completed. We still saw that the staffing in one of the dementia care units was not sufficient to support people to go into the garden. We also identified that there may be staffing issues at night and have raised this with the fire authority. We have told the service they need to keep staffing levels under constant review.

On our last visit the service needed to develop the way it monitored and reviewed the service. The service told us that they were to undertake audits of care plans and care practices. This had not occurred and therefore the service has not made the improvements it said it would.

13 October 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns

We visited the service in response to some concerns we had received in relation to staffing and night care. These concerns had led to an adult protection investigation. We also looked at a number of other outcome areas.

We spoke to people both in the general care unit and in the dementia care units. People said they were happy with the care they received. They got on well with the staff and we saw a relaxed atmosphere.

People were having their health and personal care needs met but we found that there were not enough activities for people and not enough time spent with people particularly in the dementia care unit. Staffing levels in the dementia care units were such that there was no opportunity for some people to leave the unit and little time for any small group or individual activities. The hours of the activity co coordinator had been reduced.

We were concerned that some staff had not received training such as fire and first aid which could mean that people may not receive the support they needed in an emergency.

Staff had been trained to identify and respond to adult protection issues but we had concerns that this knowledge had not been embedded as a potential incident had not been acted upon. This could mean that people were not being fully protected.

People were asked their views about the service through surveys and a monthly meeting. The provider had recently started to put in a place a formal system to monitor the quality of the service.