Archived: Avondale Care Home

This inspection took place on 23 and 24 May 2016 and was unannounced.

Avondale residential home is situated in the village of Harworth and is registered to provide accommodation for up to 31 people persons who require nursing or personal care. At the time of inspection 21 people were using the service.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run

We found that medicines were stored correctly, however they were not always administered safely. People’s care records showed that any risk to their safety had been identified and measures were put in place to reduce these risks. The risk assessments were being updated at the time of our visit. The cleaning schedule in place had not identified debris behind the tumble drier which could have presented a hazard. People who used the service and staff at Avondale knew who to report any concerns to if they felt they or others had been the victim of abuse. There were enough staff with the right skills and experience to meet people’s needs.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. The DoLS are part of the MCA. They aim to make sure that people are looked after in a way that does not restrict their freedom. The safeguards should ensure that a person is only deprived of their liberty in a safe and correct way, and that this is only done when it is in the best interests of the person and there is no other way to look after them. Staff applied the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 appropriately when providing care for people and information in people’s care plans with regard to their capacity was being updated at the time of our inspection.

People were supported by staff who had received the training and supervision they needed to support people effectively. People had consented to the care that they received. People spoke positively about the food they received and were able to have choice in what they ate at each meal. People had regular access to their GP and also other health care professionals when required.

People were supported by staff who were caring and treated them with kindness, respect and dignity. Staff encouraged people to remain independent wherever possible and where people showed signs of distress or discomfort, staff responded to them quickly. There were no restrictions on friends and relatives visiting their family members.

Staff were on hand to respond to people’s needs and a range of activities were available to those that wished to join in. Care plans were being updated with the involvement of each person and their family to take account of any change in need a person may have. A complaints procedure was in place and people felt comfortable in making a complaint if needed.

The atmosphere within the home was warm and friendly. People living in the home were asked for their opinions with regard to the service that they received, and these were taken into account when making decisions to improve the service. Staff understood the values and aims of the service and spoke highly of the registered manager. Processes were in place to check on the quality of the service.

We found that the service was well led. There were sufficient staff with the right knowledge and experience to safeguard the health and welfare of people who used the service.

People we spoke with and their relatives told us they were very happy with the provision of service at Avondale. People said their care was as they wished it to be and the staff were courteous and helpful.

We found people could be more respected and involved. A person who used the service told us, 'Nobody has asked me about my care plan. I would like to see the documents they have about me. I have always been interested in that sort of thing.'

We found people did not always receive care and support as described in their plan of care. A person told us, 'It (living in a home) is really far better than I thought it would be. They (staff) are helping me get on my feet again.'

We found the premises were not as suitable and safe as they could be. A person who used the service told us, 'Everything is fine in my room. The lounge is ready to be decorated, we have been told it is going to be shortly.'

We found staff team were supported through training. A person who used the service told us, 'I'm comfortable with them (staff) and I trust them.'

We found people could make a complaint if they needed to. A person who used the service told us, 'If I had a complaint I would go straight to the manager, she is a good listener.'