Archived: Alison House Short Breaks Service

16a Croxley Road, London, W9 3HL (020) 8960 0990

Provided and run by:
Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust

Important: This service is now managed by a different provider - see new profile

All Inspections

30 November 2012

During a routine inspection

It was not possible to speak directly to people who use the service as they were unable to communicate verbally. There was no one staying at Alison House at the time of the inspection, but we telephoned three relatives afterwards. They felt that their family member was well cared for and that staff were "attentive". They had been asked for their input and told us that they consented to the care being provided. Staff told us that they always asked a person's permission before carrying out any care. There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs.

We looked at five people's records and found that in four of them care plans and risk assessments had not been updated in over a year. The manager assured us that staff had regular contact with people and their relatives to ensure the information was up to date. Relatives of people who use the service knew that their family member had a care plan and told us that staff discussed their family member's needs with them. There was a lack of documentary evidence to assure us, or the service itself, that care was appropriate and reflected people's current needs.

There were appropriate systems in place for the storing, recording and administering of medication. There was a complaints policy and this was accessible to people who use the service and their relatives. The manager provided examples of complaints, the actions taken and how they had been resolved.

During a routine inspection

We spoke with a small number of people who use the service. Many are not able to communicate verbally but they are provided with support to communicate. People said that they were comfortable at Alison House and liked the staff. People who use services are involved in the recruitment of staff.