This inspection was unannounced and took place on 7 and 8 January 2016.
Abbots Leigh Nursing Home is a large detached property in a quiet residential area. It provides personal care, support and nursing care for up to 66 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. There were 62 people living at the service when we visited. Extensive communal spaces are available in the service for people to meet with friends or family or carry out activities. A passenger lift is available for access to the two upper floors.
An extensive landscaped secure garden is available for people to use throughout the year. The home also has two rescue donkeys for people to visit and pet.
There is a registered manager in post. 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.
People felt safe using the service and staff were able to tell us how they would protect people from harm and knew the signs and indicators associated with abuse. Staff knew what processes to follow if they had any concerns. People told us that they felt safe within the service.
Effective recruitment processes were in place, and staff received on going training to ensure that their knowledge was kept up-to-date and in line with best practice.
People’s medication was effectively managed, stored securely and audited on a regular basis.
People had choice and control over their daily routines and staff respected and acted on the decisions people made. Where people lacked the mental capacity to make certain decisions about their care and welfare the provider knew how to protect people’s rights.
People said they liked the food that was available. People were offered a choice of meals. Appropriate meals were available for people with specialist dietary requirements.
Staff adopted a kind and caring approach towards people and offered reassurance and support where needed. Staff were responsive to people and families told us they felt confident their relatives were being well looked after. The atmosphere within all floors of the home was very cheerful and staff had time to chat with people and their visitors.
People, relatives and visiting professionals spoke very highly about the support and care that was given. They said the dedication and attitude of the managers and staff was “over and beyond the call of duty”. People told us they received care that was personal to them. They felt staff understood their specific needs well and had good relationships with them.
People were settled, happy and contented. Relatives told us they only had positive experiences within the home and praise for the staff. Staff treated people as individuals with dignity and respect. Staff were familiar with people’s life stories and were very knowledgeable about people’s likes, dislikes, preferences and care needs. They approached people using a calm, friendly manner which people responded to positively.
When people were nearing the end of their life, the management and staff made sure their dignity was maintained and they received the specific care to meet their needs. The managers and staff had a strong commitment to providing support to people, and their family members, to ensure a person’s end of life care was as peaceful and pain free as possible.
A wide range of activities were available, based on people’s suggestions and requests, which people’s family and friends were invited to take part in. Spontaneous activities took place and entertainment was provided. During our inspection people were entertained by completing a reminisce book and by poetry readings. People joined in the poetry readings and with the making of the book. People were supported to do what they wanted when they wanted. People and relatives thought they led a fulfilled and meaningful life. Staff spent quality time with people to give them emotional support and comfort. Staff reminisced with people about their life and discussed what was happening in the world.
The manager and staff engaged well with people and their families and had made changes following recommendations being made. People told us that they would complain if they felt they needed to and felt confident that they would be listened to.
The registered manager completed quality audits of the service which produced actions and changes that needed to be made. This contributed towards the delivery of good quality care and support.
There was a strong emphasis on continually striving to improve. The manager recognised, promoted and regularly implements innovative systems in order to provide a high-quality service. They looked into new and creative ways to include everyone in developing and improving the service.
Emergency plans were in place so if an emergency happened, like a fire, the staff knew what to do. Safety checks were done regularly throughout the building and there were regular fire drills so people knew how to leave the building safely.
Everyone we spoke with which included, people who lived at the service, staff, relatives and healthcare professionals involved with people, told us Abbots Leigh Nursing Home provided very good or excellent care to people who lived there.