• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Franklin House

The Green, West Drayton, Middlesex, UB7 7PW (01895) 452480

Provided and run by:
Care UK Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

19, 21 November 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with sixteen people using the service, sixteen relatives and twelve staff, including the registered manager, a senior support worker and domestic, catering and care staff.

The majority of people and their relatives were happy with the care staff gave, but some felt staff did not always treat them with respect. We identified some concerns in this area during the inspection, which were discussed with the manager.

Staff received training in safeguarding and were clear to report any concerns to safeguard people from the risk of abuse.

People were not always protected from the risks that can arise if premises were not maintained appropriately. Although work was being done to maintain and improve the quality of the premises, plans had not identified all areas that were in need of refurbishment.

Equipment in use in the home was being serviced and maintained and staff received training so they understood how to use equipment safely.

Recruitment checks were carried out prior to the employment of new staff and they received an induction training to prepare them for caring for people.

The home was being staffed to meet people's needs. However people and their relatives expressed concerns regarding the frequent use of agency staff. The manager was recruiting more permanent staff for the home.

A complaints procedure was in place and people were encouraged to express any concerns so they could be addressed.

The computer system had been out of service for ten days at the beginning of November and again during the second day of inspection. This meant records were not always accessible to staff and other people authorised to see them.

14 December 2012

During a routine inspection

During the inspection we talked with five people using the service, one relative and six members of staff to get their views about the service that is provided in the home. We observed staff engaging and interacting positively with people. People said staff respected their privacy and dignity and gave them the oportunity to make choices in their daily life. Whilst the care records addressed many aspects of the privacy and dignity of people, we found one practice that was not addressed in people's care plans, where their privacy and dignity and that of other could be compromised.

People appeared well cared for and their care records showed they were supported appropriately by staff to meet their healthcare needs. We however, found that a few people did not benefit from a good standard of oral hygiene. This was particularly evident for people who were very frail and confined to their beds.

Staff supported people in being independent and in making decisions. People told us staff explained the care they needed before providing this. We also observed how relatives were kept informed of people's conditions and were involved in making decisions about people's care and treatment. However, we found that care plans and risk assessments were not always signed by people and their relatives to show they had read and understood these.

17 May 2011

During a routine inspection

People and their relatives told us that they were involved in the care, treatment and support of people and their decisions were taken seriously by the service. Relatives of people said that they were always kept informed of changes in the needs of people and were contacted for their views when decisions had to be made about people's care and welfare.

Relatives were satisfied that staff met with them to discuss the care records and the various plans of care that were in place to meet the needs of people. They said that they had informed staff when they had noted changes in people's condition and that staff had been prompt in addressing their concerns.

We observed during our visit that people were asked about various aspects of their life, for example about their meals and about what they wanted to do during the day. We observed that the wishes of people who wanted to stay in bed or in their rooms were respected.

People said that they enjoyed the meals that were provided in the home and there was enough variety and choice for them. Relatives of people said that people rarely complained about the food to them and were overall satisfied with their meals.

People liked their rooms and many people had brought their personal possessions to make their rooms homely and attractive. They said that the home was always clean and free from odours and they particularly liked the garden where they could walk or just sit to enjoy the pleasant surroundings. They reported that the home had all the necessary equipment to care, treat and support them.

People and relatives were pleased that the service provided staff in adequate numbers and staff were appropriately qualified, skilled and competent to care and support them. They said that staff attended to them when they rang the call bell to summon help.