Avalon Residential Home

Updated 14 May 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 22 April 2021 and was announced.

Updated 14 May 2021

About the service

Avalon Residential Home is a residential care home which can provide accommodation and personal care to 20 older people. At the time of the inspection 19 people were receiving care. The home also cares for people who live with dementia. People are accommodated in one adapted building.

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

We found following our previous inspection improvements had been made and sustained to the services quality monitoring systems and records. Any actions for ongoing improvement were identified and met. The home was well-led with a registered manager and senior staff providing strong leadership. A consistent and committed staff team was now in place. An open and transparent way of working was promoted with people, visitors and staff feeling they had access to the registered manager when they needed it.

A representative of the provider visited the home regularly to review the home’s performance and standard of service provided to people. Arrangements in place ensured the provider was also kept up to date in between visits with daily events and risks. The views of people, their representatives and professionals were sought and acted on to improve the service provided. The registered provider and registered manager understood their responsibilities and ensured relevant regulations were met.

People were kept safe from potential abuse and harm. Risks to their health and wellbeing were identified and action taken to reduce these risks. There were enough staff with the right skills and experience to meet people’s needs. One person said, “People (meaning staff) are always around, I feel safe.” People’s medicines were managed safely, and they received support to take their medicines as prescribed. Records relating to the management of medicines and the guidance available for staff, relating to people’s medicines, had been improved. The environment was kept clean, secure and well maintained.

People’s needs were assessed prior to moving in and ongoing thereafter. Community nurses supported staff to meet people’s health needs for example, wound care management and assessment for specialised equipment. People had access to GPs when needed. Staff received training and support, so they could deliver care in line with best practice guidance and the law. 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. One person said, “I’m able to make my own decisions.” We observed people enjoying their food. People’s nutritional needs and risks were identified and managed.

People were cared for in a kind, compassionate and respectful way. One person said, “It’s excellent, the assistants (the staff) are always helpful and cheerful.” One relative said, “They treat everyone the same, they don’t ignore them. However, many times someone asks something they (the staff) answer in a caring way, they have lots of patience.” People and their representatives were provided with information, in a format they could understand, to help them make informed decisions about their care. Staff worked in partnership with people and their representatives to ensure care was personalised. People’s specific preferences and wishes were known to staff who supported these.

People’s care was planned around their specific and individual needs. Staff in the home and visiting professionals, had access to up to date information about people’s needs and the support they required. This helped to ensure people received safe and appropriate ongoing support. Arrangements were in place for people and others to be able raise a complaint or discuss openly any concerns they may have. People were supported to take part in social activities. Staff were aware of people’s cognitive abilities and the potential risk of social isolation when living with dementia. People’s end of life wishes were explored with them and they were supported to have a dignified and comfortable death.

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 Requires Improvement (report published 13 July 2018) and there were two breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Avalon Residential Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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.