• Care Home
  • Care home

St Matthews Limited - The Avenue

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

2 The Avenue, Spinney Hill, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN3 6BA (01604) 644455

Provided and run by:
St. Matthews Limited

Latest inspection summary

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Background to this inspection

Updated 13 January 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 Care Act 2014.

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 one inspector, a specialist adviser and expert by experience. The specialist nurse had experience in working with older people, dementia care and a number of other areas within the healthcare field. 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

St Matthews Limited – The Avenue is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authorities who commission the service on behalf of people. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spent time with people who used the service and spoke with two people. We spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager and two care staff. We were introduced to with two visiting directors. The expert by experience spoke with one person and six relatives of people living in the home.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s records, including their medication records. We looked at three staff recruitment files and a variety of records relating to the management of the service. These which included minutes of meetings and documentation to support the monitoring of the service for its quality.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Overall inspection

Good

Updated 13 January 2022

About the service

St Matthews Limited – The Avenue is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 31 older people living with dementia and/or mental health needs at the time of the inspection.

St Matthews Limited – The Avenue, accommodates up to 33 people in one adapted building, across two floors.

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

Staff knew how to minimise risks for people and followed good practice guidance as detailed within risk assessments and support plans.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who had undergone a robust recruitment process. Medicines were stored and administered safely, and staff were trained to support people effectively. Staff were supervised well and felt confident in their roles.

The service was clean, and staff understood infection control procedures and followed them. Staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment.

People’s needs were assessed, kept under review and support plans were adapted to suit people’s individual needs. Staff received ongoing support through training and supervision, to enable them to provide good quality care.

Governance systems, including quality assurance policies and practices, were embedded to ensure good outcomes for people. Systems to monitor the quality of the service were used to drive improvements, and included seeking the views of people, family members and stakeholders.

The registered manager was aware of their role and responsibilities in meeting legal obligations and was supported by the head of service to achieve these.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 20 December 2019).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted due to concerns received about the provider’s other homes in the area. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.