Autumn Gardens

Updated 28 August 2020

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 17 August 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 28 August 2020

This inspection took place on 6, 7 and 8 August 2018. Autumn Gardens is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Autumn Gardens is registered to provide accommodation and personal care to up to 85 older people, some of whom may have dementia. The home provides a service for people, primarily from the Greek community although they also work with people that speak English and other languages. The home is a purpose-built unit with two floors. There are three communal lounges on the ground floor and a large well-kept garden.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The service has been subject to a period of increased monitoring and support by commissioners. The service has been the subject of multiple safeguarding investigations by the local authority and partner agencies. As a result of concerns raised, the provider is currently subject to a police investigation. We have reported further about this under the ‘well-led’ section of the report.

Risk assessments were not consistent. Some risk assessments provided staff with guidance on how to mitigate known risks whilst others did not. However, staff that we spoke with were aware of people’s risks and how to manage them.

People received their medicines safely and on time. Systems were in place to monitor medicines and staff had received training in medicines administration.

The home managed behaviour that challenges well and healthcare professionals were positive about how this was managed. Staff understood how to work effectively with people to manage their behaviour.

People had access to call bells if they required help and call bells were answered promptly.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff had received training in infection control and were aware of how to control and prevent infection.

People received diets appropriate to their needs. Special diets were documented and staff were aware of people’s individual needs. Drinks were available throughout the day and night.

Staff received thorough induction when they started work at the home as well as regular, effective supervision and appraisal.

People were supported to access routine healthcare and referrals were made to specialist healthcare professionals when necessary.

Care plans were not always person centred. However, the home had recognised this and were in the process of updating all care plans.

There were systems in place to identify maintenance issues. Staff were aware of how to report and follow up maintenance.

We observed kind and caring interactions between staff and people. People were treated with dignity and respect.

Relatives were welcomed and able to visit whenever they wished.

The home understood the importance of activities and engaging people in things that were meaningful and important to them. There were regular scheduled activities in communal areas and for people who spent the majority of time in their rooms.

People were supported and encouraged to access the community and stay in contact with relatives and friends.

Staff were positive about the management and the support that they received.

There were regular surveys and bi-annual meetings with friends and family members to seek their opinion and share information.

Audits were carried out across the service on a regular basis that looked at things like, medicines management, health and safety and the quality of care.