CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Avondale Mental Healthcare Centre
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention, protective equipment, testing, admissions, visiting arrangements and COVID-19 vaccination requirements. The provider said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- This question was not inspected or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This question was not inspected or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not inspected or rated in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This question was not inspected or rated in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Avondale Mental Healthcare Centre was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection controls and visiting arrangements were in place.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 13 January 2022. It focused on infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether COVID-19-related staffing pressures affected the home.
The inspectors were assured that the home was using protective equipment safely, arranging testing, managing possible outbreaks and keeping its infection control policy up to date. They were also assured that people were admitted safely and that visits followed current guidance.
The home had installed a visiting pod with glass separation and an intercom. This helped residents and visitors see each other while reducing infection risks.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four questions.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements to prevent and manage infections, including safe use of protective equipment and access to testing.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Visiting arrangements
The home had a visiting pod that allowed residents and visitors to see each other while maintaining separation when needed.
“This pod enabled residents and their visitors to see each other with an intercom and glass door separation, which could be opened if appropriate and safe to do so.” from the report
COVID-19 vaccination checks
The report says the home was meeting the requirement for non-exempt staff and visiting professionals to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The service was meeting the requirement to ensure non-exempt staff and visiting professionals were vaccinated against COVID-19.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you managing staffing pressures now, and have they affected people's care?
- 02What infection prevention and control arrangements are currently in place?
- 03How are visits arranged now, and what happens if there is an infection outbreak?
- 04How do you provide protective equipment and COVID-19 testing when needed?
- 05How do you check vaccination or exemption requirements for staff and visiting professionals?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other four questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 January 2022 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, December 2019
Rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptionally effective, caring and well-led support, with safe and responsive care rated Good.
This was an unannounced inspection on 12 and 16 September 2019. Inspectors spoke with 11 people, 10 staff members and two visiting professionals. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
People told inspectors they felt safe, respected and listened to. Staff supported people to build daily living skills, become more independent and take part in activities at the home and in the community. Inspectors also found strong joint working with health and social care professionals.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Effective, caring and well-led were rated Outstanding. Safe and responsive were rated Good. The report says the overall rating improved from Good at the previous inspection, published in March 2017.
Building independence
The home focused strongly on helping people gain daily living skills, confidence and independence. Inspectors found examples of people moving towards more independent living and accessing the community alone.
“The service was passionate about providing people with the tools needed to live a more independent life and move from Avondale in to more independent living.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People said staff listened to them, respected their choices and treated them with kindness. Staff also supported people sensitively when they were distressed or needed help with personal hygiene.
“There was a strong, visible person-centred culture and staff were highly motivated to provide kind and compassionate care.” from the report
Strong professional teamwork
The home worked closely with health and social care professionals. This helped improve people's health, reduce hospital admissions for some people and support better outcomes.
“There was a significant improvement to people's lives due to the excellent collaborative working with external health and social care professionals.” from the report
Good staff training
Staff received ongoing training tailored to people's needs. Inspectors found that learning needs were identified and dealt with quickly.
“Continuous visibility from the 'educator' meant that learning and development needs could be quickly identified and addressed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you support my relative to build daily living skills and become more independent?
- 02What experience and training do staff have in supporting people with my relative's mental health needs?
- 03How would you involve my relative and our family in care planning and reviews?
- 04How would you support my relative to access activities and the community, including if they experience anxiety?
- 05How do you work with health and social care professionals if my relative's health or care needs change?
This was an unannounced inspection of the care home that considered all five CQC questions, including both the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 December 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 Avondale Mental Healthcare Centre
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Outstanding.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Avondale Mental Healthcare Centre →
- December 2019Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
Read what inspectors found at Avondale Mental Healthcare Centre →
- March 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: InadequateCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 30 December 2010.
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Knowsley
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 91 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“It was clear that she genuinely cared and her warm approach really helped put our minds at ease.”
“He developed a close affinity with Terence, spending time talking with him before he retired to bed and looking after his needs during the night.”
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