Abbeyfield House

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence.

This is the first assessment for this newly registered service. This key question has been rated good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

Assessments were completed and care plans were in place. A health professional told us staff knew people well and supported assessments, stating, “Staff are always able to quickly locate any information I might need about a person and are very helpful during assessments where someone may not be able to give a history themselves, they know people very well.”

Work was under way to strengthen records further in areas such as modified texture diets and thickened fluids (where prescribed) and specific health needs such as diabetes.

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment in partnership with them, ensuring that what mattered most to each person was understood and incorporated into daily practice. Care was delivered in line with legislation, recognised standards and current evidence based guidance.

Staff followed best practice in key areas such as moving and handling, supporting people safely and promoting independence wherever possible. Mealtimes were a positive experience, with people offered a 3-course meal and access to a hydration station throughout the day. End-of-life care reflected nationally recognised good practice, ensuring people experienced dignified, compassionate care tailored to their individual wishes.

The provider made sure staff, teams and external professionals worked effectively together so people only needed to tell their story once.

Regular handovers, “flash” meetings, staff meetings and supervision promoted consistent information sharing and strong joint working. Health and social care professionals described effective partnership working, with one professional explaining, “The care home and ourselves have a very good working relationship and communicate very effectively… this is because of their knowledge, understanding and experience; they know what they need to do.”

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.

People were seen regularly by a range of health professionals, and staff acted promptly when any concerns were identified. Professionals described staff as proactive, receptive and committed to best practice.

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent and met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves.

Feedback from professionals, care records and activity provision demonstrated that people’s health, safety and social inclusion were reviewed and supported over time. Professionals told us staff took the time needed to review and plan care with them and with families, explaining that “The staff always give time for appointments, they are not too busy to properly discuss issues or plan, they always include family members and dedicate time to discuss thoroughly.” A relative also commented, “They are monitored for everything that needs to be monitored.”

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.

Staff consistently sought and recorded consent in line with legal and regulatory requirements, including the Mental Capacity Act.