Annex Abbey House

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. This is the first assessment for this service since registration in November 2024. This key question has been rated good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

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 had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Systems were in place to support people and staff to raise and report safety concerns and events, when required. The registered manager had oversight of all reported concerns and made sure appropriate actions were taken in response. Concerns and events were reviewed and analysed to identify trends, themes, and learning opportunities. Lessons learned were shared with staff to help them improve their working practices and keep people safe.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services.

The registered manager made sure people received safe and appropriate care as soon as they started using the service. Prior to moving in, assessments were completed with people and their representatives to identify their needs, preferences, and risks to their safety and wellbeing. Information was also gathered from healthcare professionals involved in people’s care to provide a comprehensive overview of their support needs. This information informed people’s care plans and risk assessments, which were shared with staff prior to the commencement of care and support to people.

Staff concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately.

People were safe at the service. A person told us, “There’s nothing worrying me at the moment. I feel safe here. My room is nice and quiet. I can have peace and quiet when I want it.” A relative said, “I think the people are safe…I’ve got no concerns and I feel at ease with [family member] being there.” A healthcare professional told us, “Staff ensure that the residents feel safe.”

Staff received relevant training to safeguard people from abuse and knew how to raise and report concerns when needed. A staff member told us, “Yes, we have had safeguarding training. If there was a worry, I would talk to my manager and report it as a safeguarding and follow the policies.” The registered manager understood their responsibility to make timely referrals when required to the local safeguarding authority.

The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Appropriate legal authorisations were in place to deprive people of their liberty where this was deemed necessary to ensure their safety.

Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them.

People were supported to stay safe and spend their time as they wished at the home, without unnecessary restrictions. Staff were present, vigilant and available in case people required their assistance. Staff understood how risks to people should be managed, to keep them safe.

People’s records contained current information about risks to their safety and how these should be mitigated to keep them safe from harm. The registered manager made sure risks to people were continually assessed, monitored and reviewed.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

Plans were in place to manage risks posed by the environment. These were monitored and reviewed by the registered manager to make sure they remained current, effective and reflective of people’s needs at the service.

Safety systems and equipment were maintained and serviced in line with requirements to ensure they remained safe and fit for purpose. A relative told us, “We go away thinking [family member] is in a safe environment.”

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.

People were supported by enough appropriately skilled staff who understood how to meet their needs. Staff undertook regular and relevant training to help them meet people’s needs. They were supported to continuously develop and improve in their roles through supervision and appraisal of their work performance by the registered manager. A staff member told us, “The training is very useful to us as it helps us to understand what we have to do. Supervision is done by our manager, and it’s done every 2 months. I think it’s helpful as it helps us to improve ourselves.”

There were safe recruitment practices at the service. The provider carried out the necessary checks required on staff that applied to work at the service, to make sure they were suitable to support people.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.

People lived in a clean, hygienic environment. A relative told us, “The cleanliness is good and I’m very happy with it.” A healthcare professional said, “The care home is clean, well-maintained and a comfortable environment that feels like home.” Staff received relevant training and had access to supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) to help them minimise infection risks. The registered manager undertook checks and audits to make sure staff working practices were in line with standards and national guidance for managing and minimising infection risks.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences.

People consistently received their prescribed medicines. Checks of medicines stocks and records confirmed this. Staff were provided with relevant training to manage and administer medicines to people. The registered manager undertook checks and audits, including competency assessments, to make sure staff managed and administered medicines safely.