Care Home: Avon Lodge

Annual service review Name of Service: Avon Lodge The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.   Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?   No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Susan Shamash Date of this annual service review: 0 2 1 0 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service Address of service: 33 Bridgend Road Enfield Middlesex EN1 4PD 01992711729 F/P01992711693 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:   Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : dementia Conditions of registration: Avon Lodge UK Ltd Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 36 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 36 The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care Home only - Code PC to service users of the following gender: Either, whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Dementia - Code DE Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the Yes service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service Avon Lodge is a residential care home for up to 36 older people over the age of 65 who may have a diagnosis of dementia. The property is a detached, two-storey, purposebuilt property. All rooms include wash hand basins but they do not include en suite facilities. Rooms are provided on two floors accessed by a shaft lift and stairs. Each floor has two sets of bathrooms equipped with bath hoist facilities or easy access walk in showers. Communal space is provided in separate sitting, dining and recreational areas as well as a designated smoking area. A large garden area is also provided to the rear of the building. The stated aims of the home are to provide a pleasant, Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 N/A comfortable and stimulating environment, conducive to meet the physical, emotional, cultural and religious needs of each resident, and homely surroundings to the best of their abilities. Residents are also encouraged to be independent wherever possible, and involve themselves in the decision-making process, relating to the daily livingarrangements in the home. The home is situated not far from shopping facilities and amenities in Enfield. A number of bus routes serve the area. Current CQC inspection reports are available for residents and relatives to see from the managers office at the home. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 7 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review: What did we do for this annual service review? This annual service review was completed on 2nd October 2009, and included a review of information that the Commission has received about the service since the previous Key Standards Inspection in October 2007. This included: The annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) that was sent to us by the service. The AQAA is a self-assessment that focuses on how well outcomes are being met for people living at this home. It also gave us some numerical information about the service. There were ten surveys returned to us by people who live at the home, six from relatives of residents, nine from staff members working at the home and two from health/social care professionals in contact with people living at the home. We also looked at the information we have about how the service manages any complaints and what the service has told us about things that have happened since the previous inspection including formal notifications as required under regulation 37 of the Care Homes Regulations 2001. The findings of the previous Key Inspection, and relevant information from other organisations were also considered as a part of this review. What has this told us about the service? The service sent us their annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. It was clear and gave us all the information that we asked for including information about how the home ensures that equality and diversity issues are addressed appropriately. We looked at the information in the AQAA and our judgement is that the home is still providing a good service and that they know what further improvements they need to make. People living at the home have generally told us that they are satisfied with the care and support that they receive. Asked what the home does well, one person advised educates us, and so many things, and another noted that they prepare my food and my laundry. Otheres noted that they give me my privacy in my room, they make me comfortable and relaxed. We have people coming in to sing and dance and play music which is very nice. One relative advised that the home takes away worries about looking after myself and my husband. Other comments included they do quite well and that they look after the people well. One relative advised that the staff are very caring, very hard working and always try to be patient under difficult circumstances sometimes. Another person advised that they had been quite satisfied with the services provided believing that all was being done for the benefit of the residents. One person felt that the arm chair exercises organised by staff were beneficial, and another praised the friendliness of staff. Another felt that the curtains and decorations etc. are very pleasant and the rooms very comfortable. The manager and staff were praised for being very responsive and the homes flexible visiting times were also appreciated. One person felt that it was important that they allow me to go out sometimes to see the public, but felt that people living in the home would benefit from more minibus trips, and was frustrated at not being allowed to go out to the shops by themself. One resident noted I would like to have beautiful window plants, and I would like my Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 carpet to be cleaned everyday. They also felt that the decor in the lounge could be changed, and advised that some of the staff are very good to me but noted that not all the staff listen. One relative of a person living at the home advised that clothes occasionally go walkabout and there does not seem to be a system for reuniting them with the owner. One person suggested that the home would benefit from more individual time to talk to each person here. Staff have little time to give what I feel they would like to do, they also suggested easier access for wheelchair users to get to the garden for sunshine. Another relative advised that the home would benefit from more things for the people to do e.g. singing, music, crafts etc. not just the television on all day. Other relatives felt that more staff on duty would be helpful when dealing with residents who need more attention, and that the quality of food could be improved. Healthcare professionals felt that the home ensures that residents needs are attended to promptly and regularly by the GP, and provides excellent care for older people with complex care needs and significant mental health problems. The service was praised for very good liaison with the psychiatric team and social services, excellent communication with patients and their families and going that extra mile to improve individuals quality of life. It was noted that it would be helpful if records were always available to hand during GP visits, and that the service should diversify and increase activities for residents. Overall it was felt that this home has a particularly good approach and high level of skill in relation to older people suffering with significant enduring mental health problems. Staff highly rated the homes ability to look after residents and staff, and felt that it was a good place to work with support and advice provided. One person felt that the home provides a safe, caring and warm environment for the residents, where they feel at home. Another staff member felt that the home provides a warm welcome to new residents/family, supports residents equally, and provides trips out for people living in the home. It was suggested by a number of staff that the home would benefit from more training, and employment of more staff, reference was also made to increasing staff salaries. One staff member felt that the home would benefit from better time management/allocation, and more equipment around the home. Other staff felt that more staff should be on duty on the day shift, more stimulating activities provided for residents, and there could be improvements in the hygiene (cleaning) and infection control within the home. It was also suggested that a more convenient staff room could also be provided. The service continues to let us know about things that have happened since our last Key Inspection, and they have shown that they have managed issues well. They work well with us and have shown us that their service continues to provide good outcomes for the people who use it. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? We are not going to change our inspection plan, and will do a key inspection by 9th October 2010, with the possibility of a random inspection visit prior to this. Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 Annual Service Review Page 6 of 7 Reader Information Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Annual service review CQC General Public 0870 240 7535 (national contact centre) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. The content of which can be found on our website. Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a copy of the findings in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. 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