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.