Avon Manor

Updated 17 February 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 coronavirus 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 January 2021 and was announced.

Updated 17 February 2021

About the service

Avon Manor is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 28 people in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection, the home was fully occupied.

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

People and their relatives felt the home provided a safe environment. People’s risks were identified and assessed with guidance for staff on mitigating risks. Staff followed this guidance. Staff levels were assessed based on people’s care and support needs and there were enough staff.

Medicines were managed safely. The home was clean and smelled fresh. When things went wrong, lessons were learned and staff reflected on improvements that could be implemented.

Staff completed a range of training to meet people’s needs. They received regular supervision and had annual appraisals. One person said, “The staff are very helpful, they are good staff”.

People were supported to have a healthy diet and with their nutrition and hydration needs. The lunchtime meal was a sociable occasion and people chose whether they wanted to eat in the dining room or in the sitting room. Some people preferred to have their meals in their rooms. Special diets were catered for. People had access to a range of healthcare professionals and support. Premises had been adapted to meet the needs of people living with dementia.

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 looked after by kind and caring staff who reassured them when they became anxious, confused or distressed. As much as they were able, people were involved in decisions relating to their care and were treated with dignity and respect.

People received personalised care that was responsive to their needs. Activities were organised as far as possible according to people’s preferences and interests. Outings into the community were encouraged. If their needs could be met and it was their wish, people could spend the rest of their lives at the home.

People and their relatives spoke highly of the home, of the care provided and the warm, friendly staff. Visitors were made to feel welcome. Feedback was obtained from relatives and residents’ meetings took place.

Staff felt valued by the management team and staff meetings provided opportunities for staff to meet together. The home operated an ‘open door’ culture and the registered manager worked on the floor and was accessible to people, their relatives and staff.

A system of audits monitored and measured all aspects of the home and were used to drive improvement. There were strong links with the community. Nursery school children visited the home and sessions were enjoyed by people who participated in singing nursery rhymes and talking about toys. Local high school students attended the home for periods of work experience.

The registered manager liaised with other care home managers and attended managers’ forums. The home worked proactively with various healthcare professionals.

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 23 November 2016)..

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 re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.