Background to this inspection
Updated
10 November 2018
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
The inspection took place on 2 October 2018 and was unannounced. This was a comprehensive inspection carried out by three inspectors and an expert by experience. An expert by experience has experience of caring for or knowing someone who has lived in this type of setting.
Before the inspection we reviewed the evidence we had about the service. This included any notifications of significant events, such as serious injuries or safeguarding referrals. Notifications are information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. This enabled us to ensure we were addressing potential areas of concern at our inspection.
We contacted three social care professionals for their views of the service before we visited. We received feedback from two which we have included in our report.
During the inspection we spoke with or met 12 people who lived at the home, three relatives and one healthcare professional. We also spoke with nine members of staff plus the registered manager and deputy manager. If people were unable to tell us directly about their experience, we observed the care they received and the interactions they had with staff. We looked at five people’s care records, including their assessments, care plans and risk assessments. We checked training records and how medicines were managed. We also looked at health and safety checks, quality monitoring checks and the results of the provider’s latest satisfaction surveys.
Updated
10 November 2018
Abbeywood is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection. Abbeywood accommodates 51 people in one adapted building. The building is over two floors and set out in five living areas, each with their own lounge and dining rooms.
At the time of our unannounced inspection on 2 October 2018 there were 44 older people living at the home, some of whom were living with dementia. A further person moved in during the afternoon of our inspection, increasing the number to 45.
There was a registered manager in place. 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 registered manager assisted us with our inspection.
At the last inspection on 10 March 2016, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good in Safe, Effective and Caring. The service had progressed to ‘Outstanding’ in Responsive and Well-Led. We found the responsiveness to each person’s, needs, desires and wishes was an excellent feature of the care provided at Abbeywood.
People’s care and support was planned proactively in partnership with them. Staff used individual ways of involving people and people took a key role in the local community. People’s needs were responded to in a way that promoted an enhanced sense of well-being. They had facilities and support available to them to help them live as fulfilling a life as possible. People’s care was tailored to their individual needs. Technology was used appropriately to the benefit of people and staff showed a dedication to involving people in the local community for people’s benefit.
People had opportunities to take part in activities that reflected their interests and preferences. Where people’s needs changed staff responded in a proactive way to meet those needs. End of life care was described as ‘super’ by a health care professional. The registered manager took the opportunity to learn from complaints and feedback and responded to these using a face to face approach. The registered manager and staff put people at the front of the service and their attitude demonstrated a ‘can-do’ approach to making sure people’s lives whilst living at Abbeywood was the best it could be.
People, relatives and staff benefited from excellent leadership provided by the registered manager. There was a clear impact for people and staff form the management of the service. Relatives said management was open and transparent and it was clear from our discussions that they had a drive to continuously improve the service people received. Staff said there was a strong team ethos and staff said they received good support from their colleagues. Staff had established effective links with health and social care professionals to ensure people received the care they needed.
The registered manager led by example and as such had developed a positive culture within the staff team. There was a desire to learn from new research and development in relation to people’s needs. The registered manager demonstrated a passion for the service and its people.
People who lived at the home, their relatives and other stakeholders had opportunities to give their views. The provider’s quality monitoring systems were effective in ensuring people received good quality care and support. Important areas of the service were audited regularly and action plans were developed when areas for improvement were identified.
People were supported by sufficient numbers of appropriately skilled staff to meet their needs and keep them safe. Staff understood their responsibilities in safeguarding people from abuse and knew how to report any concerns they had.
Risks to people’s safety were identified and action taken to keep people as safe as possible. Accidents and incidents were reviewed and measures implemented to reduce the risk of them happening again.
People lived in a home which was clean and hygienic and people received their medicines safely and as prescribed. The environment was adapted to suit people’s needs and continuously checked for its safety.
People’s needs had been assessed before they moved into the service to ensure staff could provide the support they required. Staff had the training and support they needed to carry out their roles effectively.
People’s rights under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were respected. Staff understood the importance of gaining people’s consent to their care. Applications for DoLS authorisations had been submitted where restrictions were imposed upon people to keep them safe.
People could make choices about the food they ate. People were supported to maintain good health and to obtain treatment when they needed it.
Staff were kind and caring towards people and there were positive relationships observed. Staff treated people with respect and maintained their dignity. People were supported to make choices about their care and to maintain relationships with their friends and families.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.