CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Avalon Residential Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home used safe infection prevention and control procedures, including PPE, testing, cleaning, visiting arrangements and safe admissions.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, May 2021
Avalon Residential Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection control arrangements, with a fuller outbreak plan still to be developed.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 22 April 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that visitors, admissions, testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, social distancing and outbreak arrangements were being managed safely. People were supported to keep in touch with those important to them.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or a standard rating for the five key questions. It was a focused check of infection control.
Safe visiting
People were receiving visitors under arrangements designed to reduce the risk of infection. They were also supported to keep in touch by telephone or other technology.
“People were receiving visitors. Staff were following current national guidance for care homes.” from the report
Personal protective equipment
Staff and visitors were supported to use PPE correctly. Staff had training on putting it on, removing it and disposing of it safely.
“All staff wore PPE correctly (in line with national guidance for care homes).” from the report
Testing and safe admissions
People were admitted after a negative COVID-19 test and were supported to self-isolate for 14 days. Testing was also in place for people living at the home, staff and designated visitors.
“People were only accepted following a negative COVID-19 test result and then supported to self-isolate for 14 days following admission.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found that cleaning schedules were followed and laundry and waste were managed safely. Extra cleaning was carried out on frequently touched surfaces.
“The environment was kept clean and laundry and waste managed safely.” from the report
Outbreak plan still being developed
minorThe report says a more detailed outbreak management plan was still to be developed, based on the home's experience during the pandemic.
“A more detailed outbreak management plan was to be developed, using the knowledge now gained by the staff” from the report
- 01Has the more detailed COVID-19 outbreak management plan now been completed?
- 02How are visits currently arranged, and what infection control measures must visitors follow?
- 03What testing and isolation arrangements are used when a new person is admitted?
- 04How are staff trained and checked on the safe use of PPE?
- 05How does the home respond if a resident or staff member develops symptoms of an infection?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 May 2021 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, October 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with improvements since the previous inspection.
Inspectors visited without notice on 5 and 6 August 2019. They spoke with a person living in the home, relatives, the manager and staff. They observed care and checked care plans, medicines records, staff files, complaints, safety checks and management records.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines management, clean surroundings, good access to health professionals and care based on people's individual needs.
The report says improvements made after the previous inspection had been maintained. Quality checks and records were better, leadership was stronger and the home was no longer breaching regulations. Some environmental work, including clearer signs and painting some doors, was still in progress.
Improved records and checks
Inspectors found that medicine records, care records and quality monitoring had improved and that these improvements had been maintained.
“We found following our previous inspection improvements had been made and sustained to the services quality monitoring systems and records.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Medicine administration records were checked regularly, recording errors were investigated and staff had clearer guidance for medicines given when needed.
“People's medicines were managed safely, and they received the support they needed to take these.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff listened to people, respected their privacy and supported them to make choices and remain as independent as possible.
“People were cared for in a kind, compassionate and respectful way.” from the report
Personalised activities
Activities reflected people's interests and abilities. Staff also visited people in their rooms and offered one-to-one support to reduce isolation.
“Staff supported people to take part in daily activities which were meaningful and which people enjoyed.” from the report
Stronger leadership
The manager and senior staff provided clear leadership, and staff felt able to report concerns. The provider also reviewed the home regularly.
“The home was well-led with a registered manager and senior staff providing strong leadership.” from the report
Some environmental work remained unfinished
minorClearer signs and painting of bedroom and toilet doors were still being completed. A second lounge was also due to be decorated and upgraded.
“Improved signage and the painting of bedroom and toilet doors remained in progress, helping people to distinguish the difference and find their way around the home.” from the report
- 01Has the planned signage and painting of bedroom and toilet doors now been completed?
- 02Has the second lounge been decorated and upgraded as planned?
- 03How often are medicines records checked now, and how are any recording errors dealt with?
- 04How are people's care plans and risk assessments reviewed when their needs change?
- 05How will you involve me in care reviews and keep me updated about changes in my relative's health?
This was a planned, unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall quality and safety of the home. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 October 2019 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 Avalon Residential Home
3 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- May 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- October 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2017Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 August 2015.
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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38 live-in carers within about an hour of Gloucestershire
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,030 to £1,360 a week. 31 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.