Appleby

Updated 27 November 2025

The assessment was carried out between 10 December 2025 – 9 January 2026. We visited the home on the 10, 15 and 16 December 2025.

Appleby is a care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 53 older people, including those living with dementia. The home is arranged across three suites: Grace on the ground floor, and Armstrong and Laurel upstairs, with Laurel designated for men only. There were 51 people living at the home, most of whom were living with a dementia.

The assessment was completed in line with CQC methodology and considered the length of time the location had been registered. We also took into account concerns raised to CQC about the management and culture at the home.

The care home had come under new ownership in July 2024. People, relatives, staff and professionals gave positive feedback about the provider. One professional told us, “I have seen improvements over the last six months, such as more permanent staff and better décor.” A staff member told us, “Not only is the home very safe but the building is safe as they are investing money into it. Refurbishing is very active and they’re investing for the long term rather than sticking plaster fixes.”

The provider and registered manager promoted staff wellbeing and supported them to deliver person-centred care. Staff spoke positively about working at the home. One staff member told us, “The care has come on leaps and bounds. Morale is better now than it’s ever been.”

During our assessment we identified that the provider’s qualification verification process was not as robust as it could be. The provider acknowledged this oversight and took prompt action to strengthen their governance and checking procedures.

Records did not always evidence that an effective system was in place to ensure medicines were safely managed. The registered manager had started to take action to address the issues we identified.

There were enough staff deployed to meet people’s needs. Staff had access to training relevant to their roles and were supported through regular supervision and appraisal to deliver person-centred care. During our observations, we noted that not all moving and handling manoeuvres followed best practice. Following our feedback, the registered manager carried out checks on staff practices and told us that moving and handling leads were also in place to ensure safe procedures were consistently followed.

The home was undergoing redecoration and refurbishment. A significant amount of work had already been completed, and further improvements were planned.

Updated 27 November 2025

While we found issues with the provider’s qualification verification process and medicines management during our assessment; people and relatives did not raise any concerns with these areas. One person told us, “I don’t feel anything else except safe in here. I get my medication more or less the same time every day.”

People spoke positively about the care they received at Appleby. One person told us, “The care is good, they’ve got a hard job and they do it well.” Professionals also spoke positively about the care. One professional said, “I have a few residents living at Appleby and feel that they are provided with a good level of care.”

During our observations, we saw positive interactions between staff and people, including laughter, friendly conversation and appropriate physical reassurance. There was an activities programme in place, and although the activities coordinator was on long-term leave, staff continued to deliver activities to support people’s wellbeing and quality of life. One relative told us, “There are lots of activities, but they’re having to make do and mend with the activities person off…Mum doesn’t partake in the activities anymore, but she enjoys watching and listening.” Staff did not consistently record all activities, which meant records did not always evidence how social needs were met. This was being addressed by the registered manager.

People and relatives spoke positively about the meals. One person said, “The food is fine, just like home cooked.” Meals were served promptly in Grace Suite on the ground floor, but mealtimes upstairs in Laurel and Armstrong Suites were delayed. Following our feedback, the registered manager paused non-essential duties so staff could ensure people were supported promptly. She also told us she had ordered an additional food trolley to improve efficiency.

People and relatives were involved in the home. A relative told us, “I attend the relatives’ meetings and if you raise issues, it generally gets progressed fairly promptly by [name of registered manager]. She tends to listen and act. Communication is paramount in care and generally speaking it is good in here.”