9 November 2023
During an inspection looking at part of the service
At the time of the inspection, the location did not care or support for anyone with a learning disability or an autistic person. However, we assessed the care provision under Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture, as it is registered as a specialist service for this population group.
About the service
Afton Lodge Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 27 people. At the time of our inspection there were 21 people using the service. Some people were living with dementia. Accommodation was provided throughout one adapted building.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Right Support:
Some improvements were needed to demonstrate people received their medicines as prescribed. Some refurbishment and redecoration of the home was needed. Plans were in place to address any shortfalls in the standards of the property. Regular checks and servicing of the property and equipment was undertaken to ensure people lived in a safe environment.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Risk assessments and care plans had been developed to meet people’s needs.
Staff were recruited safely, and staffing levels were safe. Staff knew people well and trusting relationships had been formed.
People were supported to access healthcare and other specialist services. Staff worked closely with other professionals and organisations to ensure positive outcomes were achieved for people.
Right Care:
People received a caring service and consistently told us they were happy living at Afton Lodge Care Home.
Staff protected and respected people’s privacy and dignity, understanding and responding to their individual needs. People could communicate with staff because staff supported them consistently and understood their individual communication needs.
People had opportunities to participate in activities they were interested in. Family members and friends confirmed they could visit at any time.
Right Culture:
The service was well-led and staff felt supported by the registered manager and wider management team.
The provider had governance systems in place which identified and managed risks through audits and action plans.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 17 November 2017).
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
We undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only. For those key question not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.
Recommendations
We have made a recommendation about medicines training.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.