We carried out a review of the data available to us about Abbey Lodge Care Home UNIT 1 on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Abbey Lodge Care Home UNIT 1, you can give feedback on this service.
At the last inspection on 22 September 2015 we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found that the service remained Good.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.
The provider owned another care home in the near vicinity of Abbey Lodge Unit 1 and people spent their time there when they were at home and not out and about. People told us that they liked to socialise with other people from the sister home because they knew each other well. Staff worked across both homes and were familiar with people`s needs. People told us that the care and support they received met their needs and they felt safe.
People told us they knew how to keep safe from risks when they were in the home and out and about in the community. Staff received appropriate training and had on-going support from managers to understand and carry out their roles effectively.
People had care plans in place with comprehensive guidance and risk assessments for staff to understand how to deliver care and support to people in a safe and effective way.
Medicines were managed safely by staff who were trained and followed best practice guidance when administering people`s medicines.
People were protected from the risk of infections by staff who ensured the environment people lived in was clean and infection control measures were followed.
There were enough staff to meet people`s needs. Recruitment processes were safe and ensured that staff employed were suitable to work in this type service.
People were involved in planning and reviewing the support they needed and wanted. They signed their own care plans and consented to the care and support they received.
People were able to plan their days as they wished and were supported and encouraged by staff to pursue their hobbies and interest.
People were involved in daily living tasks and were helped by staff to learn and develop new skills like cooking, cleaning and shopping for their own necessities.
People were asked for their feedback about the service they received in regular meetings and surveys so they could contribute to the running of the home.
People and staff told us they were happy with how the home was managed and they felt managers were approachable and listened to them.
The registered manager and the provider carried out regular audits to ensure they were able to check on the quality of the service people received.
The inspection took place on 22 September 2015 and was unannounced. When we last inspected the service on 18 April 2013 we found them to be meeting the required standards. At this inspection we found that they had continued to meet the standards.
Abbey Lodge Care Home is registered to provide accommodation for up to three people with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were three people using the service.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.
CQC is required to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. DoLS are in place to protect people where they do not have capacity to make decisions and where it is considered necessary to restrict their freedom in some way, usually to protect themselves or others. At the time of the inspection we found that one person who lived at the service required DoLS and the manager had made the application to the local authority.
Staff were clear on how to identify and report any concerns relating to a person’s safety and welfare. They were recruited through a robust procedure and provided with regular training to ensure their knowledge was up to date. Staff was clear on what their role was. People and staff were positive about the leadership of the service.
People had access to information about safeguarding procedures, they had a list in their bedroom with all the important contact telephone numbers for their GP, care coordinator, manager, local authority and CQC in case they wanted to contact them directly. Staff were also confident in how to safeguard people who used the service
People were supported to attend appointments at the hospital, see their own GP, optician and dentist if it was needed. They were encouraged to manage their own medicines where this was possible. Where people were unable to manage their medicines staff ensured they received them in accordance with their needs.
People were encouraged to live an independent life. This included working, to engage in activities and make decisions regarding their future. The risks linked to these activities were discussed with people and plans were developed to positively manage these.
People were involved in planning and reviewing their care and were encouraged to provide feedback on the service. The support provided was subject to on-going review and care plans identified people’s particular preferences and choices.
There were robust systems in place to ensure that the quality of the service was monitored and improved if the need was identified.
We found that people's privacy and dignity had been respected and their needs had been met appropriately. The service had a safeguarding policy and procedures in place. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to report any allegations of abuse to the appropriate authorities. People were cared for and supported by, suitably trained, skilled and experienced staff. Appropriate records were maintained and kept securely.