Archived: The Abbey

Updated 12 February 2015

This was an unannounced inspection that took place on 22 October 2014 and was carried out by one inspector.

Prior to the inspection visit we gathered information from a number of sources. We looked at the information received about the service from notifications sent to the Care Quality Commission by the registered manager. We did not receive a provider information return prior to our inspection but the registered manager has since completed this document. A provider information return is a form completed by the registered manager outlining details about the service and the care and support provided.

We contacted four health and social care professionals who were familiar with this home to ask their opinions about the care and support provided.

During the visit we spoke to five people who lived in The Abbey, four people who visited the home on the day of the inspection and one district nurse who was attending people who lived in the home. We spoke to five members of the staff team and spent time with the supervisor on duty.

We looked at the care and support plans for six of the people who lived in The Abbey. We examined staff rosters, the training plan, staff recruitment files and looked at the medicines administration records. We spent time with the catering staff discussing nutrition and menu planning. During our visit we observed the interaction between the staff and people and briefly watched the afternoon’s activity.

Updated 12 February 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This unannounced inspection took place on 27 October 2014. During our previous inspection visit on the 10 October 2013 we found the service met all the national standards we looked at. Since then there has been no incidents or concerns raised that needed investigation.

The Abbey is registered to provide accommodation and care for up to 28 older people. The home is situated in the centre of Staveley. The home is run by Cumbria Care, an internal business unit of Cumbria County Council.

There is a passenger lift to assist residents to access the first floor of the home and there are adapted bathrooms and toilets close to all the areas used by residents. There are four separate units each with bedrooms, lounges and dining areas.

The home had a registered manager in post on the day of our inspection visit. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We spoke to people who lived in the home in the communal areas and in the privacy of their rooms. We were able to speak to people who were visiting relatives and a health care professional who had come to attend to people who lived in The Abbey.

People told us they were happy living in The Abbey and said, "I am very happy to live here although I would rather be back in my own home. I do feel safe and am not lonely". Relatives said, "It is great here and I am very happy with the care".

Care records identified people’s care and support needs and we saw evidence people’s care was regularly reviewed. People’s care records contained detailed information about their personal preferences and social histories.

We saw staff treating people with respect and support was given with empathy making sure dignity was preserved at all times.

We saw that staff received training appropriate to their responsibilities within the staff team.

People’s nutritional and hydration needs were being met. In addition, there was evidence of people being visited by a range of health care professionals, which demonstrated people’s health care needs were being met. People told us they enjoyed their meals and there was always plenty of choice and enough to eat.

We saw staff recruitment and retention was robust. Records evidenced only suitable people were employed to support people who lived in The Abbey.

Medicines were handled well and we saw people received their medicines on time and in line with