Avondale Care Home

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence.

At our last assessment we rated this key question Good. At this assessment the rating has remained Good.

This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them prior to them moving into the home to ensure these could be met safely. People and their relatives where appropriate had been involved in planning their care and reviews.

People’s care records were person centred. An assessment of people’s needs prior to admission to the home included information on people’s communication, interests, hobbies, personal histories, health, emotional well-being and mobility. People had regular reviews with health and social care professionals to support them to achieve positive outcomes.

Staff demonstrated a good knowledge of people’s needs and were kept up to date about any changes. One person told us about their initial assessment. They said, “I had a good assessment, registered manager interviewed me and made a very excellent job of it.”

Care plans were regularly reviewed to ensure they reflected any changes in people’s needs or preferences.

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards.

The provider used recognised assessment tools to help determine the most appropriate care and treatment people required.

People’s dietary needs and preferences were recorded in their care plan, and staff were knowledgeable about people’s dietary needs.

Food was cooked on the premises, kitchen staff prepared the right food and drinks based on professional guidance to support safe eating and drinking for people, whilst also considering people’s preferences and choices. People were able to choose what they wanted to eat from the menu. We received mixed feedback about food, people’s comments included, “I would say that the food is ok, not brilliant”, “The food’s okay, it’s nice” and “I like the meals.”

A staff member commented, “It is important that we ensure people have enough to drink, particularly during this very hot weather. We need to ensure that the amount is recorded to ensure they are having enough.”

We observed people having lunch in the dining room. People’s mealtime experience was relaxed. Staff asked each person individually what they would like to eat, some people were shown the meals to them with choosing their meal. For people who required assistance with eating, staff provided support to people in a patient, dignified and unhurried way.

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. People’s assessments and needs were shared with professionals when they moved between services.

Visiting professionals, such as GPs and Speech and Language Therapists [SALT] provided information and guidance for staff which was recorded in people’s care plans. Staff maintained a record of their visit and outcomes.

People told us they had access to external health and social care resources such as dentists and opticians.

One relative told us, “The nursing staff and GP have recently worked hard and prevented [person] from being admitted to hospital twice, it has been really good.”

A staff member told us, “We do work well as a team together. We support each other and help out where we can.”

The provider supported people to manage their health and well-being to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.

The provider ensured relevant referrals were made when there may be underlying health issues which needed additional support. For example, people were referred to the speech and language therapist appropriately.

Staff supported people to manage their health and well-being. Staff encouraged people to spend time in communal areas engaging with other people, to help support their emotional well-being.

Staff helped to facilitate and deliver a range of activities for people throughout the week, including weekends. Activities included, music and dancing, games and puzzles, aromatherapy and art.

People were also supported to enjoy trips out into the local community. For example, trips to garden centres, ‘rogue bowling’ and a nature reserve had been facilitated.

People’s care and treatment was routinely monitored to help ensure needs were met and care could be improved. Outcomes for people were consistent and met their expectations.

The provider ensured outcomes were positive and consistent, and they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. Staff monitored and recorded people’s food and drink intakes and audits were conducted to look for patterns and trends.

People and relatives were happy with the service provided, and felt staff monitored people’s needs well. One person told us, “The staff and nurses treat me very well indeed.”

People were supported to have control over day-to-day choices. Staff were patient with people, giving them time to make their own choices. People and families were involved in core decisions about their care.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) provides a legal framework for making particular decisions on behalf of people who may lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. Staff had received training in MCA and policies were in line with the principles of the MCA. Mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions were in place as required.

We observed staff seeking consent from people they supported. We spoke with staff about the MCA. One staff member said, “Whenever involving a person in their care, it is important that we involve them all the time. When helping them with personal care, we need to gain their consent by talking to them about what you would like to do. It’s important that they make choices so we ask them what they would like to wear. We should involve them in everything and all decisions made.”