ABBI Altrincham

Updated 12 June 2023

The ABBI clinic was registered with CQC on 15 July 2020 to provide the regulated activity Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury.

There was a registered manager in post who was also the nominated individual.

The service provided intensive day care for patients with a primary diagnosis of an eating disorder. Patients accessed the service either as an alternative to inpatient treatment or as a step down from inpatient care.

The service provided individual key working, nutritional rehabilitation, a group programme, meal support, individual therapy, physical health monitoring and patients had regular reviews by the specialist eating disorder psychiatrist which included a review of medicines.

This is the first inspection of the ABBI clinic.

What people who use the service say

Prior to the inspection, CQC received six compliments about the service and one concern about the service regarding lack of exposure to fear foods and lack of staff support to access the local community to eat out.

During the inspection we spoke with six patients. Patients told us the service was different than any other treatment they had experienced. Patients said they were the most hopeful they had ever been about their recovery.

Patients said the service was very person centred, staff remembered information about them, were interested in their wellbeing and they felt valued and listened to.

Patients said the treatment model worked well, with the group work, one to one and a full multidisciplinary team to contribute. Support was also provided virtually in between sessions via WhatsApp, which patients valued.

Patients told us they appreciated the quiet room that was available for them to use in the service which they accessed if they felt overwhelmed, the room included a variety of self-soothe boxes.

Patients said they felt the building was welcoming and blended into the local community which they liked, it did not represent a hospital or clinical setting. However, the building was not accessible if you had mobility needs, as there were steep stairs and a step down into the kitchen and bathroom. The furniture did not provide the support that some people needed.

Suggestions for improvement included patients having more information about what to expect before joining the service. Also, more information in written form as patients told us they found it easier to follow written information.

Patients who attended one day a week, told us it was difficult to access the group support from the dietician and occupational therapist due to the timings of the group. They would also like to access the local community with support, however staffing levels have meant this had not happened.

Updated 12 June 2023

We rated it as good because:

• The service provided safe care. Premises where patients were seen were safe and clean. Staff assessed and managed risk well and followed good practice with respect to safeguarding.
• Staff developed holistic, recovery-oriented care plans informed by a comprehensive assessment and in collaboration with patients. They provided a range of treatments that were informed by best practice guidance and suitable to the needs of the patients. Staff engaged in clinical audit to evaluate the quality of care they provided.
• The team included the full range of specialists required to meet the needs of the patients. Managers ensured that these staff received training, supervision and appraisal. Staff worked well together as a multidisciplinary team and with relevant services outside the organisation.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and understood the individual needs of patients. They actively involved patients in care decisions.

However:

• Clinical premises were not accessible for people with mobility needs.
• Policies and procedures did not reflect the service provided.
• Patient care records and staff records were not complete and contemporaneous.

Updated 12 June 2023