Stranraer ARC – lack of maintenance Care Commission report 20 May 2009

Stranraer ARC (DG9 7JJ) Report – 20 May 2009

Quality Theme 2: Quality of Environment
Statement 1
We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality
of the environment within the service.
Service Strengths
See information as at 1.1.
The Disability Discrimination Officer has made further recommendations for access with regard
to the inner front door, an exit from the building and the car park barrier. The manager
confirmed that these developments had been discussed with service users at their ‘Members
Committee’ meeting.
Where there are changes to decoration and soft furnishings, within the service, this is
discussed/consulted with service users at their committee meetings and their views taken and
acted upon.
There are different noticeboards around the centre which identify what members can do within
the service.
Areas for Improvement
The manager stated that when the new ‘Members Committee’ is elected view’s regarding the
ARC environment would be discussed further with them and clearly recorded in the Minutes.
Grade awarded for this statement
4 – Good
Number of Requirements
0
Number of Recommendations
0

Statement 3
The environment allows service users to have as positive a quality of life as possible.
Service Strengths
The manager and staff have made some improvements to the internal decoration of certain
rooms within the ARC since the last inspection e.g. Braidfelt and the sensory room. Other work
undertaken which has resulted in damage to existing paintwork has been ‘patched’ by the
contractor.
As identified in last year’s report, where the new heaters have been fitted, the bare unpainted
or wallpapered plaster above the heaters has been patched in.
The service users are about to finish making a wooden structured greenhouse, using 2 litre
plastic bottles for the glass.
Areas for Improvement
As identified within the last 3 years’ inspection reports:-
As identified in the strengths where different areas of the building have needed to be altered,
the paint on the walls has been patched to the existing colour. However, this further shows up
the general decline in decoration and paintwork inside the ARC. This has been reported on in
the previous three inspections. The walls and ceilings in the remainder of the rooms used by
service users are now looking grubby and dirty.
Dumfries & Galloway Council must seriously consider appropriate action to ensure that the
decoration of this building is brought up to an acceptable standard. It is again strongly
recommended that redecoration is seriously considered for the Stranraer ARC as a matter of
urgency. See recommendation below.
As identified in previous inspection reports it is still very noticeable that there are many of the
double glazed windows throughout the ARC which now have condensation between the double
glazed units which hinders service users from looking out. There should be a programme
introduced to ensure that these windows are repaired without delay. It is strongly advised that
Dumfries & Galloway Council ensure that all windows within the ARC are repaired without
delay. See recommendation below.
Grade awarded for this statement
3 – Adequate
Number of Requirements
0
Number of Recommendations
2
Recommendations
1
The internal redecoration for the remainder of the accommodation within Stranraer ARC is
undertaken without delay.
National Care Standards – Support Services – Standard 5 -Your Environment.
19 August 2009 Inspection Report 2009-10: Support Service Not Care at Home Page 19 of 31
2
There should be a programme introduced to ensure that the double glazed windows are
repaired where required without delay.
National Care Standards – Support Services – Standard 5 -Your Environment.
19 August 2009 Inspection Report 2009-10: Support Service Not Care at Home Page 20 of 31
Statement 4
The accommodation we provide ensures that the privacy of service users is respected.
Service Strengths
From observations where service users require to have privacy with personal care tasks these
are carried out in the privacy of bathrooms and toilets as required. Staff could be heard
speaking to service users in a quiet and pleasant manner.
The mini bus used by the ARC has no markings to identify it to the ARC.
Areas for Improvement
The Officer observed during the inspection that a bathroom door in the ‘flat’ opened into the
lounge area. Although staff tried to be discreet when entering the bathroom there was the
possibility of a service user’s dignity and respect being compromised. The Officer spoke with
the manager about this issue. The manager should investigate and put in place a screen
around the door to shield service users when using the bathroom and needing support from
staff members. See recommendation below.
Grade awarded for this statement
3 – Adequate
Number of Requirements
0
Number of Recommendations
1
Recommendations
1
The manager should investigate and put in place a screen around the door to shield service
users when using the bathroom and needing support from staff members.
National Care Standards – Support Services – Standard 14 – Daily Life