CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Avon Lee Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Avon Lee Lodge was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 January 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control measures, including visiting, cleaning, protective equipment, testing and safe admissions.
Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed. Visitors had appointments, health checks, hand cleansing and protective equipment. The home was visibly clean, and safe indoor visiting areas had been created.
People were supported with testing and vaccination decisions. The home also used video calls, room visits and a video tour to reduce isolation. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a Good, Outstanding, Requires Improvement or Inadequate rating.
Visitor safety
Visits were by appointment and included health checks, hand cleansing and protective equipment. This helped limit infection risks.
“Visiting was by appointment only. Staff trained in infection, prevention and control (IPC), met visitors at the entrance.” from the report
Clean premises
The home was visibly clean, and cleaning arrangements had been increased to meet the extra needs during the pandemic.
“The premises and equipment were visibly clean. The cleaning schedule and housekeeping staffing hours had been reviewed” from the report
Support with isolation
The home used video calls, room visits and a video tour to help reduce loneliness and help new people become familiar with the home.
“Risks to people's mental well-being were understood and actions to reduce risk of social isolation had included video calls to family and friends” from the report
Protective equipment and testing
Protective equipment was available and used correctly. People and staff could take part in regular testing.
“PPE was used correctly, in good supply and available throughout the home.” from the report
Approach still being developed
minorThe report says the provider was signposted to resources to develop its approach. It does not explain what part of the approach needed development.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01How are visits currently arranged, and what infection checks or protective equipment are still used?
- 02How often are people and staff tested now, and how are test results managed?
- 03How do you support residents who need to self-isolate or who feel socially isolated?
- 04How are new residents helped to become familiar with the home if they need to self-isolate after moving in?
- 05What wider areas of care were not covered by this inspection, and when were they last fully assessed?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated, and the report does not assess the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 February 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, May 2018
Avon Lee Lodge rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and well-organised care, with all five areas rated Good.
Inspectors visited on 9 and 16 April 2018. The first visit was unannounced and the second was announced. They spoke with people, relatives, staff and a healthcare professional. They also checked care files, medicines, staff records, complaints, audits and the building.
They found enough staff, safe recruitment checks and systems to manage risks such as falls, skin damage, infection and poor nutrition. Medicines were managed safely. People had care plans based on their needs and choices, access to healthcare and appropriate support with eating and drinking.
People described staff as kind and caring. Inspectors saw people being treated with dignity, involved in decisions and supported to follow their interests. The home had an open culture, visible leadership and effective checks to identify and make improvements.
The overall rating remained Good, as did Safe, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Effective improved from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection to Good.
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs and saw staff responding to calls for help promptly. Recruitment checks had been completed before staff started work.
“People were supported by enough staff to meet their needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives spoke positively about the staff. Inspectors saw staff listening, explaining what they were doing and respecting people's choices, dignity and privacy.
“Throughout the inspection we observed staff involving people in decisions, explaining their actions to people, giving people time and listening to what they had to say.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's needs, preferences, lifestyles and communication needs. Activities and support were adapted to people's interests.
“People had care plans which reflected their personal care needs and choices and were reviewed at least monthly.” from the report
Effective leadership and improvement
Staff described communication and leadership positively. Audits and feedback had led to changes, including equipment to help keep meals warmer.
“Quality assurance systems were in place and effective in capturing areas requiring improvement.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and review my relative's risks, especially if they are at risk of falls, skin damage, infection or poor nutrition?
- 02How will you record and respond to my relative's food, drink and special dietary needs?
- 03How will you support my relative's preferred routines, activities, faith, communication and lifestyle choices?
- 04What training and supervision do staff have for my relative's specific needs, such as dementia or medicines?
- 05How can our family raise a complaint, and how will we be told about the outcome?
This was an inspection covering all five key questions; the first visit was unannounced and the follow-up visit was announced. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 May 2018 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 Avon Lee Lodge
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 October 2012.
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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37 live-in carers within about an hour of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
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 £1,000 to £1,340 a week. 26 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
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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.