The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Newent House

8-10 Browns Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 8SP (020) 8547 6311

Provided and run by:
Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

All Inspections

16 November 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke to ten people who use the service, one family member and three staff members during our unannounced visit to Newent House.

We were informed that the service was no longer accepting permanent admissions and a consultation had begun looking at the future provision of community services with the Royal Borough of Kingston. All of the people currently living in Newent House had been assured that places would continue to be available for them within one of the four council residential homes for as long as they needed them. Short term assessment and respite admissions were still being accepted at the time of our visit.

The home is part of the Eden Alternative which has a philosophy of creating communities where people make their own rules according to how they desire to live.

Overall comments about the service included 'I think it's nice here', 'one of the best homes in the country', 'I would not live anywhere else', 'very good' and 'pleased to come here'. Comments about the staff were positive and included 'very good', 'they can't do enough', 'the staff are lovely' and 'the staff are really marvellous'.

Feedback about the meals provided included 'the food's excellent', 'very good cooks here, they spoil me', 'as good as a hotel' and 'more than I can eat'.

The registered manager had recently left the service. Acting managers were in place at the time of this visit.

10 November 2011

During a routine inspection

We received some positive comments from people who use the service at Newent House. One person said, 'there's enough to do, I've enjoyed every minute.' A relative said, 'I don't know where else I would have chosen for dad'.its much better than other much more expensive private homes.'

The home has positive aspects. All the information recorded about people who use the service was up to date, accurate and reviewed regularly. This should make sure that people's changing needs are constantly monitored and the care that they receive reflects this.

The Royal Borough of Kingston offer excellent training opportunities to its staff, all of whom have received a range of mandatory training. Staff are also supported via regular supervision which is provided on a monthly basis.

There are two main areas for the home to improve upon. Firstly, the person centred way of working, known as the Eden alternative, is not embedded in the ethos of the home. We saw a number of examples of this and have described them in the body of the report.

The situation should improve as the home has recruited an activities co-coordinator, a post that has been vacant for some time. However, the changes required are far more reaching, and we have therefore requested that the home provides us with an improvement plan which outlines how the Eden alternative will be embedded into the ethos of the home.

The second area of improvement is the environment; Newent House lacks a homely, comfortable environment. There was clutter, some of the fixtures and fittings were shabby and there was a lack of personal touches. We have asked for an improvement plan which needs to state how the material condition of the home will be improved and by when.