The Care Quality Commission
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Alban Manor Nursing Home

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

1-2 Chene Drive, Waverley Road, St. Albans, AL3 5QP (01727) 832393

Provided and run by:
St. Albans Care Limited

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Alban Manor is a residential care home providing nursing and personal care for up to 80 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of this assessment, there were 56 people using the service. At our last inspection, we identified breaches in relation to good governance and told the provider they needed to improve safe care and staff training. During this assessment we assessed the quality statements under the key questions of safe, and well-led to check the provider had followed their action plan to make improvements. We visited the service on 15 October 2024, received feedback from 16 people or their relatives, spoke with five staff members and 3 visiting professionals and ended the assessment when we met with the management team on 23 October 2024. The provider had made the required improvements and was no longer in breach of regulation. The overall rating has changed from requires improvement (published 17 September 20218 February 2023) to good. The management of the service and provider had created a culture where people and their relatives were listened to, care was safely delivered, and oversight systems audited the safety of the service. This enabled the management team to make continuous improvements. People and relatives spoke very positively about the care provided. Risks to people had been assessed and care plans were in place to help mitigate risks as far as possible. Care records reflected people's care needs. Accidents and incidents were investigated, action taken, and lessons learned. There were sufficient trained staff who worked with other professionals to ensure people's needs were met in a safe and person-centred way. Governance systems had been overhauled and were now more robust to monitor the quality of care provided.

2 July 2021

During a routine inspection

About the service

Alban Manor is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 47 people aged 65 and over, some of who were living with dementia, at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 80 people.

Alban Manor accommodates people across two floors in one purpose-built building. Each floor of the building has separate adapted facilities that accommodate people who require nursing, dementia and residential care.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People’s risk assessments were not always accurately completed. Care records did not always contain enough detail to provide clear instruction to staff and were not always reviewed when needs changed. Systems to formally review incidents to develop practise and minimise harm were not fully embedded. However, we were satisfied this was an area of governance that required development and had not caused harm to people.

People felt staff were trained. Staff told us had received core areas of training alongside with supervision sessions to discuss their work. However, training, particularly for care staff, required further development in specialist areas. People told us they did not feel their privacy around being able to choose to have their doors open or closed was maintained by staff.

Systems were in place but not always utilised effectively to monitor the quality of care provided. Development was required to ensure meaningful improvement plans were created to capture action identified following audits.

People felt safe living in Alban Manor. Staff knew how to identify and respond if they suspected a person was at risk of harm. Staff reported any incidents to management promptly who took appropriate action. Staff told us there were enough staff deployed in the home to support people. People said there were sufficient staff and were happy living in the home. Infection control procedures were followed and assured safe practices were followed with regards to social distancing and the use of PPE.

People told us they received appropriate support to maintain good nutrition and hydration and the home had good links with other health care professionals.

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.

People and their relatives were actively involved in the development of their care. People were supported to pursue hobbies and interests and supported to avoid social isolation. Staff supported people to communicate their views independently and listened to their opinions. People told us they felt valued.

People's views about the service were sought individually and through meetings and surveys. People and relatives told us the registered manager and provider were approachable and they were confident concerns would be addressed. Staff told us they felt valued by the registered manager and provider.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 08/05/2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the registration date of the service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service.

We have identified breaches in relation to accurate maintenance of records and governance at this inspection.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress.