The Abbeys

Updated 6 March 2021

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.

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 12 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 6 March 2021

The inspection took place on 25 October 2018 and was unannounced, so no-one connected to the home knew we were visiting the home that day. The home was previously inspected in November 2017 when we judged the overall rating of the service to be 'Requires Improvement’. This was because certain records did not always provide enough information. At this inspection we found improvements had been made, and records fully reflected people’s care, treatment and any risks associated with that care.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for ‘The Abbey’s’ on our website at www.cqc.org.uk’

The Abbeys 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 Abbeys provides personal care and support for up to 80 people, this includes people living with dementia. There are 75 bedrooms in two separate buildings, the main building and Abbeydale. The home is located on the outskirts of Rotherham and has good access to local amenities and public transport links. At the time of our inspection there were 54 people using the service.

The service had a registered manager in post at the time of our 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.

Staff supported people in a compassionate, caring, responsive and friendly manner. They encouraged them to be as independent as possible, while taking into consideration their abilities and any risks associated with their care. All the people we spoke with made positive comments about how staff delivered care and said they were happy with the way the home was managed.

Systems were in place to safeguard people from abuse.

Care and support was planned and delivered in a way that ensured people were safe. Where possible, people had been involved in planning their care. Care plans outlined peoples’ needs and risks associated with their care, as well as their abilities and preferences. Since our last inspection the information in care plans about how individual people were assisted to move using a hoist had improved.

Recruitment procedures aimed to make sure staff employed were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Staff were trained and supported to develop their skills, so they could provide people with the standard of care they required. There was enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the people living at the home at the time of our inspection.

Medication was managed safely and administered by staff who had completed training to carry out this role.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Since the last inspection we saw decisions made in people’s best interest had followed the correct procedure and accurately recorded.

People received a varied and healthy diet that offered choice and met their needs. Everyone we spoke with was complementary about the meals provided.

There was a range of social activities and events available for people to take part in, if they wished to.

The service had an open and positive culture that encouraged involvement of people using the service, their families and staff. The registered manager, supported by senior managers in the company, was visible and promoted teamwork.

People were encouraged to raise concerns or complaints and were asked for feedback about the service they received. Staff spoke positively about the registered manager and had a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Regular checks were in place to identify areas of service needed to improve and action had, or was being taken to address shortfalls found. Accidents and incidents were monitored and analysed so lessons could be learned.