Athenaeum Residential Care Home

Updated 9 September 2020

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 18 August 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 9 September 2020

About the service

Athenaeum Residential Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 21 older people. On the day of our visit there were 20 people living in the home.

People’s experience of the service

Systems and processes were in place to keep people safe and risks associated with people's care needs had been assessed. There were enough staff to meet people's needs and recruitment processes and procedures were robust. Medicines were managed safely.

Although the service appeared clean and well maintained, there was a smell of urine in the communal lounge area.

We recommended that the service review their cleaning processes to ensure that there is no sign of malodour throughout the premises.

Staff received training and supervision for them to perform their role. People's nutrition and health were supported and promoted. 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 people well and care plans were detailed and provided staff with clear guidance on how to meets people's needs. Staff respected people privacy and dignity and encouraged people to remain independent. People and relatives could express their views about the running of the home.

People received personalised care and support which met their needs, reflected their preferences. People benefited from a variety of activities, events and trips out that were available to reduce social isolation, give meaning and purpose and enhance their wellbeing.

The service was well led. People, staff and relatives spoke positively about the registered manager and the provider. There was a positive culture throughout the service which focused on providing care that was personalised. The management team used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. They were aware of their regulatory responsibilities associated with their role.

More information is in the full report.

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

The last rating for this service was good (report published June 2017). The service remains good.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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