Abbotsfield Residential Care Home

Updated 16 June 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Abbotsfield Residential Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Abbotsfield Residential Care Home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

People who lived in the home were living with dementia and were not easily able to share their views with us. We spoke with six people who lived in the home and observed how staff interacted with people. We also spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager and with three members of staff. We looked around the accommodation.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and training. We also reviewed records relating to the management of the service. We contacted seven people’s relatives and two staff to gather their views.

Updated 16 June 2022

About the service

Abbotsfield Residential Care Home is a care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 26 people in one adapted building. The home provides support to older people and older people who are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 26 people using the service.

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

People were safe and protected from abuse and avoidable harm. One person told us, “Of course I am safe.” People received the support they needed because there were enough staff. The registered manager carried out checks on new staff to ensure they were suitable to work in the home. People received their medicines safely and as they needed. The registered manager had systems to learn lessons from incidents to ensure people remained safe.

People received good care from staff who were trained and skilled. A relative told us, “The staff seem very well-trained and effective in what they're doing.” People enjoyed a balanced diet and staff provided the support they needed to eat and drink. The registered manager and staff worked with appropriate services to ensure people received the healthcare support they needed. People’s rights were protected because the registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were treated in a kind, caring and patient way by staff who knew them well. A relative said, “Many of the staff go above the call of duty in supporting everyone there. They're not just task-driven but are genuinely caring people.” Staff gave people choices about their care and support and respected the decisions they made. Staff respected people’s privacy and promoted their dignity and independence. A relative told us, “There seems to be a lot of activities to support independence there and [relative] will join in and really enjoys it all."

People received person-centred care that met their needs and took account of their wishes. They were supported to maintain relationships which were important to them and enjoyed a range of activities which enhanced their quality of life. A relative told us, “[Relative] is socialising well and having fun there which is wonderful.” People and their relatives knew how they could speak to a member of the management team if they had any concerns about the care provided. People received the support they needed to remain comfortable as they reached the end of life.

People received good care because the registered manager had developed a person-centred culture which focused on meeting people’s needs. People and their relatives told us they would recommend the home. A relative told us, “I would definitely recommend this home. It's small and caring and we are so pleased that we chose this one for [relative].” The provider had included people in making improvements to the accommodation. People consistently received care that met their needs because the registered manager worked with other services to plan and provide their care.

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

Rating at last inspection. This service was registered with us on 23 April 2020 and this is the first inspection.

The service was previously carried on by a different provider. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, (published on 18 July 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.