Abode

Updated 7 December 2021

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection on a specific concern we had about the availability and deployment of staff.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Abode Residence 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 service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to the inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give us key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made judgements in this report. We sought feedback from the local safeguarding authority to help us plan the inspection effectively. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and two relatives shared their views of the service. We spoke with three members of staff who worked at the service, the cook, the provider and the registered manager. During the inspection we reviewed incident and accident records, personal care records, rotas and training records.

After the inspection

We continued to communicate with the provider and registered manager, further information was sent to us to review as part of the inspection process.

Updated 7 December 2021

Abode Residence is a residential care home providing personal care to nine people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 13 people in one adapted building.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us staff did not always help them promptly, we have discussed this with the registered manager and provider and made a recommendation regarding the staffing provision at the home. Staff had been trained in medicines management but best practice guidance was not always followed. We have made a recommendation regarding medicines and the following of best practice. Infection control processes were in place to limit the risk and spread of infection, however the policy required review to ensure information reflected latest guidance. We have signposted the provider to further resources. This and the recommendations are within the 'safe' section of this report. Risk assessments were carried out to promote peoples safety. Staff were recruited safely and employment checks were carried out. Staff had received training in safeguarding and were confident any concerns would be investigated by management and reported to safeguarding authorities, to help ensure people were protected from abuse.

People were supported in a dignified manner with kindness and respect. Staff were patient with people and we saw warm interactions between people and staff. Audits and checks were carried out to identify shortfalls and drive improvement and staff told us the management team worked closely with them to support the smooth running of the home. Staff worked with external health professionals to support people to achieve their best outcomes.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 08 February 2020).

Why we inspected

We undertook a focused inspection to follow up on specific concerns which we had received about the service. The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about medicines management, equipment, cleanliness, staffing and care provided. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We looked at the key questions of safe and well-led.

We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

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

Follow up

We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.