Background to this inspection
Updated
14 April 2021
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of CQC's response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.
This inspection took place on 09 March 2021 and was announced.
Updated
14 April 2021
This inspection took place on 13 November 2018 and was unannounced.
Abbotsleigh 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. The service is registered to accommodate up to 60 people. At this inspection, 46 people were living at the service.
There was a registered manager in post who was present during the inspection. 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.
At our last inspection in November 2017, the service was rated Requires Improvement. Five breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) were identified. We issued requirement notices relating to person centred care, good governance, dignity and respect and safe care and treatment. We asked the provider to take action and they completed an action plan to show what they would do and by when. We undertook this inspection to check that they had followed their plan and to confirm that they now met legal requirements.
At this inspection, significant improvements had been made and the provider had met all of the breaches found at the last inspection. The overall rating for the service is now Good.
The home was clean, spacious and suitable for the people who used the service, and appropriate health and safety checks had been carried out.
People's needs were assessed before they started using the service and support plans were written in a person-centred way. Person-centred means ensuring the person is at the centre of any care or support and their individual wishes, needs and choices are taken into account.
Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded and risk assessments were in place. The registered manager understood their responsibilities about safeguarding and staff had been trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults.
People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse because staff had received training and knew how to recognise and report abuse. Staff told us that they were confident that any concerns they raised would be taken seriously by the registered manager.
Staff treated people with dignity and respect and helped to maintain people's independence by encouraging them to care for themselves where possible.
Staff cared for people in an empathetic and kind manner. Staff had a good understanding of people's preferences of care. Staff always worked hard to promote people's independence through encouraging and supporting people to make informed choices
People were protected from the risk of poor nutrition and staff were aware of people's nutritional needs. Care records contained evidence of people being supported by the organisations nutritional therapist.
There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty in order to meet the needs of people who used the service. The provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure and carried out relevant vetting checks when they employed staff.
Staff were receiving training, supervision and appraisals. Additional supervision was provided to staff around specific areas if needed.
People were offered a choice of meals and snacks. People told us there was a good choice of food and they enjoyed the food they were given. When people needed a special diet and assistance to eat their meals, this was provided.
Activities were arranged for people who used the service based on their likes and interests and to help meet their social needs.
People’s end of life wishes were recorded to ensure that their expressed needs were met during this time. Staff had received training to support people at the end of their life and keep them comfortable. Nurses in the service had received training around end of life medicines and competencies had been checked.
Medicines were managed safely and there had been no errors in administration. People received their medicines when they needed them. Medicines were stored and administered safely. Staff and nurse competency had been checked.
People had access to healthcare professionals and their healthcare needs had been met. Care records confirmed visits from healthcare professionals had been recorded.
People told us they knew how to complain. All complaints had been investigated in line with the providers policy and resolved.
Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and were working within guidelines. Staff sought consent before carrying out any personal care.
There was an open and transparent culture within the service. The provider held resident and staff meetings.
The registered manager and provider wanted the service to be homely and for people to feel that it was their home from home. Staff shared this vision and felt it was important that people should be surrounded by things that made them feel at home. We saw peoples’ bedrooms had been personalised.
The provider had an effective quality assurance process. Staff said they felt supported by the registered manager. People, visitors and staff were regularly consulted about the quality of the service via meetings and surveys.
Services that provide health and social care to people are required to inform the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of important events that happen in the service. CQC checks that appropriate action had been taken. The registered provider had submitted notifications to CQC in an appropriate and timely manner in line with CQC guidelines.
It is a legal requirement that a provider's latest CQC inspection report rating is displayed at the service where a rating is given. This is so that people, visitors and those seeking information about the service can be informed of our judgements. The rating was displayed at the service and on the provider's website.