Watchdog: home ‘needs to improve’
ACARE home in Duke Street has been told it requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission after an inspection in September.
The inspection at Avalon EMI Care Home took place on September 25 and 26, 2018 and was unannounced on the first day.
Avalon provides personal care and support for up to 26 people living with dementia with 22 people in the home during the CQC inspection.
It is the second consecutive time the service has been rated “requires improvement”.
While rated “good” in the categories “safe”, “caring” and “responsive”, the CQC said Avalon requires improvement in the “effective” and “well-led” categories.
On the effectiveness of Avalon, the CQC said: “The service was not always effective.
“The service continued to require improvement in the understanding and use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
“Capacity assessments were not specific to the person and the decision.
“The service had made some positive changes to the premises.
“The service still needed to improve the environment to support people living with dementia better.
“People using the service had enough to eat and drink. People had choices around their meals.”
The CQC said: “The service was not always well-led.
“Systems and process were not always robust and effective in monitoring the service and driving forward improvements.
“Issues found during the inspection hadn’t been identified.
“Staff sought feedback from people and relatives to gain their views about the home.
“There was a registered manager in post and feedback regarding the leadership and management of the service was positive.”
The CQC commented that everyone in the home said they felt safe, and measures were in place to make sure everyone was safe, and sufficient staff had been appropriately recruited and were on duty to meet people’s needs.
It said safeguarding processes helped staff protect people from abuse, neglect, harassment and breaches of dignity and respect.
The home was found to be clean and well maintained, with personalised bedrooms, and furnished well.
The CQC said: “People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet and meet dietary requirements. Drinks were offered at various times throughout the day to ensure people’s hydration needs were met.
“Everyone living in the home was very complimentary about the attitude of the staff and the way they were treated.
“We observed staff speaking to people respectfully; they were extremely patient.
“Staff knew people and understood their different communication needs. Staff supported people to make decisions about their care, support and treatment as far as possible. Records showed people’s preferred routines, likes and dislikes.”
The CQC also noted that there was an activity co-ordinator in post, with programmed activities including one-to-one time with people, as well as group activities such as exercises, games, crafts and musical entertainers.