CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at 19 Beech Avenue
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, September 2020
Walsingham Support - 19 Beech Avenue was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control and protection from COVID-19.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 19 August 2020. It was part of a CQC review of infection prevention and control in care homes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found five people living in the home. They found good arrangements for limiting visitors, keeping people shielded, using personal protective equipment, handwashing, cleaning, laundry and testing. No cases of COVID-19 had occurred among people living or working there.
The inspectors were assured that the home could prevent and manage infection outbreaks. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas of care.
Infection control
Inspectors saw suitable use of personal protective equipment and good hand hygiene. Cleaning and laundry arrangements were also described as rigorous.
“Suitable attention was paid to the use of PPE and good hand hygiene routines were seen.” from the report
Protecting people's health
People had remained in good health during lockdown and were described as well cared for and comfortable. Health concerns were discussed with primary medical teams.
“People had stayed in good health throughout the lockdown and were well cared for and comfortable when we inspected.” from the report
Planning for outbreaks
The home had plans for possible COVID-19 outbreaks and emergencies. Staff had discussed isolation, barrier nursing and hospital admissions or readmissions.
“The staff team discussed how they would manage things like barrier nursing, isolation, admissions and readmissions from hospital.” from the report
Contact with relatives
Relatives were able to keep in touch through telephone calls, Skype and other electronic means while visits were limited. Plans were in place for visits to restart when suitable.
“Relatives had chosen not to visit due to risk but had kept in contact through telephone calls, Skype and other electronic means.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current arrangements for relatives to visit, and what would happen if visits had to stop again?
- 02How often are people living here and staff tested for COVID-19 or other infections now?
- 03What would happen if someone living here or a staff member developed an infection?
- 04How are personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, cleaning and laundry checked in practice?
- 05How would the home support a new resident returning from hospital or being admitted during an outbreak?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care quality areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 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, September 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care, with some staffing and record-keeping work still under way.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 29 July 2019. One inspector met all five people living in the home, observed care, checked the building, and reviewed care, medicines, finance and quality records. The inspector also spoke with staff and relatives.
The home supported five people with learning disabilities and/or autism, as well as physical or sensory loss. People did not use verbal communication, so the inspector watched how they responded to staff. People appeared relaxed and responded positively to the care they received.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found suitable training, safe medicines management, good links with health professionals, respectful care and support to take part in activities and go out into the community.
There were some vacant hours on the staff rota, which were being covered by extra shifts and staff from other homes. Management was also changing, with an acting manager newly in post. The home was improving some records, including financial records, but no breach of regulations was reported.
Kind and respectful care
Staff were gentle, patient and sensitive. They understood people's non-verbal communication and protected their privacy and dignity.
“We observed kind and patient support being provided. Staff supported people in a respectful way.” from the report
Skilled support
Staff had training and experience in complex personal care, moving and handling, health needs and communication.
“Staff had extensive knowledge of different disorders people were living with and were skilled in working with people in the home.” from the report
Safe health and nutrition support
People had access to health professionals and received suitable help with swallowing, digestion, food and drink. Inspectors saw staff preparing food and thickened drinks appropriately.
“We observed staff preparing thickened liquids and pureed foods and helping people to eat and this was done appropriately.” from the report
Community activities
People were supported to go out, keep relationships and take part in activities such as swimming, social clubs and a local tea dance.
“They also went to entertainments and activities, like swimming, social clubs and to a local tea dance.” from the report
Personalised surroundings
The home was clean and adapted to people's needs. Bedrooms were personalised, and specialist equipment was available for comfort and safe care.
“All areas were nicely decorated, tidy and clean. People spent time in their own rooms and these were personalised, comfortable and reflective of their preferences.” from the report
Staffing vacancies
needs fixingThere were vacant hours on the rota while recruitment was taking place. Extra shifts and staff from other homes were being used to cover the gaps.
“Recruitment was underway because there were some vacant hours on the roster.” from the report
Management change
minorAn acting manager had only been in post for just over a week at the inspection. They were being mentored and supported by other managers.
“The service had an acting manager who had been in the service for a little over a week.” from the report
Records and finance processes
needs fixingThe provider had identified that some financial processes and records needed improvement. Record keeping was being streamlined and improved.
“This included the management of finances because the provider had identified processes and recording needed to be improved on.” from the report
- 01Have all the vacant staff hours now been filled, and how are staffing levels checked on each shift?
- 02Who is currently managing the home, and what support and oversight do they receive?
- 03What changes have been made to financial records and other record-keeping since the inspection?
- 04How will you learn and record each person's non-verbal signs, preferences and choices?
- 05How often will people receive community activities and support to maintain family relationships?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering the home and all five CQC questions, including accommodation and personal care. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 September 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 19 Beech Avenue
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- September 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2011
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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