CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Athenaeum Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including visitor screening, testing, PPE, hygiene, social distancing and safe admissions.
- Effective?
- Good
- The report does not give a rating or findings for this question.
- Caring?
- Good
- The report does not give a rating or findings for this question.
- Responsive?
- Good
- The report does not give a rating or findings for this question.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The report does not give a rating or findings for this question.
What inspectors found, September 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control arrangements during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inspectors visited the home on 18 August 2020. This was an announced, targeted inspection focused on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
They found arrangements for visitor screening, testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, social distancing and safe admissions. They were assured that the home had measures to prevent and manage infection outbreaks.
The inspection did not give the home an overall quality rating. The Safe question was recorded as inspected but not rated, and the report does not provide ratings for the other four questions.
Visitor safety
Visitors were screened before entering, supported to use face coverings and hand hygiene, and could use a garden for safer visits.
“The provider had appropriate arrangements for visiting to help prevent the spread of Covid 19.” from the report
Testing arrangements
The home had a designated team carrying out Covid-19 tests for people living there and staff.
“There was a designated team of staff that carried out all testing on people and staff at the home.” from the report
Staff training and support
Staff had training in Covid-19, infection control and PPE. The home also provided support when staff became unwell or returned to work.
“All staff had received training on Covid 19, infection control and the use of PPE.” from the report
Family contact
People were supported to stay in touch with relatives and friends by telephone and virtual technology.
“The provider ensured that people using the service could maintain links with family members and friends.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current arrangements for visiting, including whether visits can take place in the garden or inside the home?
- 02How are people and staff tested for infections now, and who carries out the testing?
- 03What infection control and PPE training do staff receive currently?
- 04How will the home help my relative stay in contact with family if visits are restricted?
- 05What arrangements are in place for safe admissions to the home?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the Covid-19 pandemic, not a full inspection of all five quality areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 September 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, March 2020
Rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a urine smell in the communal lounge needing attention.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 12 February 2020. The inspection team spoke with people living in the home, relatives and staff. They reviewed care records, staff files, medicines information and quality checks.
The home was rated Good overall and Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines procedures, detailed care plans and support for people's health, nutrition, choices and independence.
People and relatives spoke positively about the care and management. The home was clean and well maintained in most areas, but inspectors noticed a smell of urine in the communal lounge. They recommended reviewing cleaning processes so there was no unpleasant smell throughout the home.
The previous inspection rating was also Good, published in June 2017. The home therefore remained Good after this inspection.
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough competent staff on duty, with prompt responses when people needed help. Most staff had worked at the home for many years, supporting continuity of care.
“There was enough competent staff on duty during the day and night.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored, ordered and disposed of safely. Staff who gave medicines were trained and their competence was checked regularly.
“The service had safe arrangements for the storing, ordering and disposal of medicines.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as friendly, caring and respectful. Inspectors observed warm communication and support for people's privacy and independence.
“We observed staff communication with all residents was warm and friendly.” from the report
Personalised support
Care records included people's backgrounds, preferences and choices. The home offered activities, events and trips out to support wellbeing and reduce isolation.
“People received personalised care and support which met their needs, reflected their preferences.” from the report
Positive leadership
Inspectors found visible and approachable management, long-serving staff and regular checks on care and safety. People, relatives and staff could share their views.
“There was a positive culture throughout the service which focused on providing care that was personalised.” from the report
Urine smell in communal area
needs fixingThe home appeared clean and well maintained in other areas, but inspectors noticed a urine smell in the communal lounge. They recommended reviewing cleaning processes so there was no unpleasant smell throughout the premises.
“On our arrival there was a smell of urine in the communal lounge” from the report
- 01What changes were made to cleaning processes after inspectors found a smell of urine in the communal lounge?
- 02How do you check that there are enough competent staff on duty during both the day and night?
- 03How are my relative's care plan, preferences and changing needs reviewed and updated?
- 04What activities, events and trips are currently available for residents who may be at risk of social isolation?
- 05How are medicines audits and staff competency checks carried out?
This was a planned inspection covering the home and care provided across all five CQC questions; the report says the previous Good rating from June 2017 remained unchanged. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 March 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Athenaeum Residential Care Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Athenaeum Residential Care Home →
- March 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Athenaeum Residential Care Home →
- August 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 February 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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