NEWS HEADLINES FROM ACROSS ALMONDSBURY CARE

Axbridge Court

Two Axbridge Court residents Margaret Lewis and Jack Unwin, celebrated their 100th birthdays in 2005. Margaret had a small party in the main lounge at the home attended by a large number of her family. This special club received another member recently with the arrival of one hundred year old Olive Bevan.

Beverley Davies, registered manager at the home commented, “My staff and I are always keen to support special events like this. It was lovely to see so many of Margaret's family here”.

Belmont House

Belmont House have now completed the redecoration refurbishment and recarpeting of the whole interior and it looks very smart - colours and themes have been chosen using proven research into the benefit of these on the service user group (dementia). In the latest inspection by CSCI, the house had its first 4 score (exceeds standards).

Hillview

Almondsbury Care recruited its first male overseas carer in the second half of 2006. Frances Baylen - originally from the Philippines, where he qualified as a nurse and gained extensive experience in a prison service hospital. He is outnumbered 25 to 1 by the female overseas staff, but we are sure he will not mind that!

Drug administration and recording

Recent TV news programmes have reported that up to 50% of care homes have been identified by the commission for social care inspection as falling short of the national minimum standards with regard to the giving and recording of drugs to the residents in care home in the UK.

We are pleased to advise that none of the homes owned and operated by Almondsbury Care have failed to meet this standard.

We have strict drug administration and recording policies and procedures in place. All drugs and medicines are administered to residents by qualified nursing staff only (and who are duty 24 hours a day seven days a week) and detailed drug records are kept and care plans record the required information.

We have regular drug audits from our pharmacists as well as inspections from the inspectors from the commission for social care inspection (CSCI) and have always satisfied their requirements.

Our latest inspection reports are always available at each home or can be accessed from the csci website. This website provides direct links to the CSCI reports for each home.