Avonleigh Gardens

Updated 5 January 2024

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.

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

Avonleigh Gardens 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. Avonleigh Gardens 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 provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post. However, they were not present during our visit.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 11 December 2023 and ended on 22 December 2023. We visited the location on 11 December 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We gathered feedback from the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We looked around the home and observed how staff interacted with people. We also observed the lunchtime meal. We spoke with 10 people who used the service and 2 relatives about their experience of the care. We spoke with 2 care staff and a chef and received email feedback from another care staff member. We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 people’s care records, medicine administration records and 2 staff recruitment files. A variety of other records relating to the management of the service were also considered as part of the inspection. These included audits, training and supervision records and checks of the equipment.

Updated 5 January 2024

About the service

Avonleigh Gardens is a purpose-built care home situated in Oldham. Accommodation is provided in 4 units spread over two floors. However, one unit was closed at the time of our inspection. There are several large communal rooms and a secure garden. Avonleigh Gardens is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for up to 59 people. At the time of our inspection there were 36 people living at the home.

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

People were protected from abuse through effective safeguarding systems. Risks to people’s safety were identified and managed correctly. There were enough staff to support people in the way they wished. The provider carried out checks on new staff to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Staff were trained in infection prevention and control and people were protected against the risk of infection. People received the support they needed to take their medicines. The registered manager learnt lessons from incidents and complaints and shared findings with staff.

Staff had received appropriate training and supervision. People were provided with a balanced diet. The registered manager and staff worked with appropriate services to ensure people received the healthcare support they needed. The registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and people's rights were protected. 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.

People were supported by kind, caring staff who respected their privacy and dignity and helped them be as independent as they could. Staff gave people choices about their care and respected the decisions they made.

Staff provided people with person-centred care which took account of their wishes. People were able to take part in a range of activities. Visitors were made welcome in the home and people were supported to maintain relationships which were important to them. A procedure was in place for managing any complaints. With the support of local and specialist services, staff supported people as they reached the end of their lives.

The home was well managed with effective quality assurance processes in place. Minor issues we identified during our inspection were promptly rectified. The registered manager and staff promoted a positive culture in the home; people’s care was person-centred. People and relatives were complimentary about the home.

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 this service was good (published 27 November 2017).

Why we inspected

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

Follow up

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