We carried out a review of the data available to us about Abbey Lodge Care Home - St Albans on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Abbey Lodge Care Home - St Albans, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
The provider was transparent when sharing information with people and their relatives about how the service is managing the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of the inspection there was a decision made to restrict visits. People had access to other means to communicate with their family. For example, video calls and phone calls.
The service was able to cohort and zone sections of the property to ensure that people were safe when there was an outbreak in the home.
People we spoke to felt the staff had been supportive and reassured them throughout the pandemic. People and staff were involved in regular testing, in addition they were in the process of having the vaccination.
The service was clean and hygienic. Robust cleaning measure were put into place. For example, they had measures in place to make sure high touch areas maintain a high level of cleanliness. When the service had an outbreak, they had an external company complete a deep clean which included disinfecting the whole service and purifying the area.
The provider had developed policies, procedures and guidance for the service which had been
implemented. Quality assurance audits were being completed during the COVID-19 pandemic to reflect best practice. Staff knew how to immediately instigate full infection control measures to care for a person with symptoms to avoid the virus spreading to other people and staff members.
At the last inspection on 22 September 2015 we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found that the service remained Good.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.
People felt safe living in the home and told us they discussed with staff how to keep safe when they were out and about in the community.
Staff received training and appropriate support from the managers to carry out their roles effectively.
Risk to people`s wellbeing were identified, regularly discussed with people and measures to mitigate the risks were regularly reviewed to ensure they were still effective.
People`s medicines were managed safely by well trained staff who had their competencies assessed. Where people were able they were supported to manage their medicines.
The provider had policies and procedures in place to protect people from the risk of infections and staff adhered to these.
There were enough staff employed through robust procedures to meet people`s needs effectively.
People were involved in planning their care and support, signed their own care plans and consented to the support they received.
People were involved in duties around the home like cleaning, laundry, cooking meals. Some people were working as volunteers in local shops.
People had opportunities to pursue their hobbies, interest and socialise in house and in the community.
People`s feedback about the service they received was regularly sought and they felt they could voice their opinions in meetings and one to one conversations they had with staff.
People and staff were positive about the management of the service. There were robust systems in place to ensure the quality of the service was monitored and improved if the need was identified.
The inspection took place on 22 September 2015 and was unannounced. When we last inspected the service on 18 April 2013 we found them to be meeting the required standards. At this inspection we found that they had continued to meet the standards.
Abbey Lodge Care Home is registered to provide accommodation for up to eight people with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were eight people using the service.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.
CQC is required to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. DoLS are in place to protect people where they do not have capacity to make decisions and where it is considered necessary to restrict their freedom in some way, usually to protect themselves or others. People living in Abbey Lodge Care home were not deprived of their liberty in any way and they did not require DoLS.
People had access to information about safeguarding procedures, they had a list in their bedroom with all the important contact telephone numbers for their GP, care coordinator, manager, Local authority and CQC in case they wanted to contact them directly.
Staff had received appropriate training to ensure they were skilled and knowledgeable to deliver care to the people living at the service.
People were encouraged and supported to take their own medication and where this was not possible staff administered their medication following best practice guidelines.
People had their needs assessed effectively and where any risks were identified these were positively managed and enabled people to be independent.
People were involved in duties around the home like cleaning, laundry, cooking meals. Some people were working as volunteers in local shops.
People were involved in planning and reviewing their care and were encouraged to provide feedback on the service. Care was subject to on-going review and care plans identified people’s particular preferences and choices.
Staff were recruited through a robust procedure and provided with regular training to ensure their knowledge was up to date. Staff was clear on what their role was.
People and staff were positive about the management of the service.
There were robust systems in place to ensure the quality of the service was monitored and improved if the need was identified.
We found that people had received appropriate care, that their consent had been sought prior to treatment and that staff had administered medicines correctly. We noted that people lived in a comfortable environment and that the premises had been well maintained. People had been cared for and supported by suitably trained, skilled and experienced staff. Appropriate records had been maintained and kept securely.