Avon Park Residential Home

Updated 7 July 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by an inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Avon Park Residential Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Avon Park Residential Home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we held about Avon Park Residential Home. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We reviewed records held by the service including multiple care records, various premises safety documents, three staff recruitment files and policies and procedures. We spoke with 11 people and one visitor about their experiences at Avon Park Residential Home. We also spoke with the registered manager, two care staff, two senior care staff, a visiting healthcare professional and to the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

Updated 7 July 2022

About the service

Avon Park Residential Home is a care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 28 people. The service provides support to both older and younger adults including some people in the early stages of their dementia journey. At the time of our inspection there were 24 people using the service.

The premises were a purpose built two storey care home. The upper floor was accessed by stairs and a stair lift. There were several communal areas where people could spend time and a large accessible garden.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People and their relatives were supported by staff trained in safeguarding and in all aspects of their caring role. Risks were assessed and actions taken to minimise them. Regular checks and servicing of equipment and systems ensured the premises were safe. Medicines were safely managed, and staff were trained and had annual updates and competency checks to ensure they were safely administering them. The premises were very clean and there was regular additional cleaning of high frequency touch points. Staff were safely recruited and there were enough staff deployed to meet people’s needs.

Staff completed online and face to face training sessions in a wide range of areas. Supervision took place regularly and was supportive and developed the skills and knowledge of staff. People were assessed before admission to the service and care plans devised with them and reviewed monthly. People mostly enjoyed the meals provided. We have made a recommendation that for the training for catering staff be reviewed to ensure this covers best practice guidance in relation to preparing specialist diets. The provider referred to health and social care professionals as needed and a home visit service provided medical appointments as needed. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff knew most people well and could chat with them about their previous lives and family for example. Staff were kind and caring when interacting with people and took time to put people at ease. People were involved in making decisions about their care and supported with communication. Staff recognised non-verbal communication in people.

People participated in an activity programme however some people chose not to and staff took time to chat with them in their rooms instead. Information was supplied to people in the most appropriate format for their needs. There was a complaints procedure that people were supplied with on admission however there had been no recent complaints as issues were addressed as they happened. The provider worked in partnership with community nurses to support people at the end of life and had, if people were willing to, devised end of life care plans.

The registered manager and nominated individual were well-liked and visible throughout the service. They had an open-door policy and regularly asked for feedback from people and relatives. The provider continually strived to improve care delivery and worked with other health and social care agencies and professionals to achieve this.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous legal entity was Good, published on 18 May 2019.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.