CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Abberton Manor Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about the home's infection prevention and control arrangements, including PPE, testing, cleaning, admissions and outbreak planning. They said clearer risk zones were needed for cups, cutlery, crockery and laundry, and that ventilation should be increased during any future COVID-19 outbreak.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Abberton Manor Nursing Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control, with two areas needing clearer arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 18 January 2021. It looked only at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found that the home was clean and hygienic. Staff used protective equipment, followed distancing guidance and received infection control training. People and staff were tested, and new admissions were isolated.
Inspectors were assured that the home met infection prevention and control guidelines. However, clearer risk zones were needed for cups, cutlery, crockery and laundry. Ventilation should also be increased if there is a future COVID-19 outbreak. The service was inspected but not rated.
Infection control
The home had arrangements to prevent and manage infection, including plans for symptomatic or COVID-19 positive people.
“We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines.” from the report
PPE and staff practice
Staff followed distancing guidance and used a separate area to change clothes and put on or remove protective equipment.
“Good examples of Infection and prevention control began from the moment that staff arrived at work” from the report
Testing and admissions
People and staff were tested routinely, and new admissions were isolated to help reduce the spread of infection.
“The service routinely tested people and staff. New admissions were isolated to help prevent the spread of infection.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic, with training provided to staff on infection prevention and control.
“The service was clean and hygienic.” from the report
Risk zones
needs fixingThe home needed clearer separation of risk zones for cups, cutlery, crockery and laundry.
“Systems needed to be put in place for there to be a clear delineation of risk zones, with regard to cups, cutlery, crockery, and laundry.” from the report
Ventilation during outbreaks
needs fixingInspectors said ventilation should be increased if the home had another COVID-19 outbreak.
“Should there be an outbreak of COVID 19 in the future, ventilation should be increased.” from the report
- 01What clear risk zones are now in place for cups, cutlery, crockery and laundry?
- 02What would the home do to increase ventilation during a future COVID-19 outbreak?
- 03How are people and staff routinely tested, and what happens after a positive result?
- 04How are new admissions isolated to help prevent infection spreading?
- 05How can residents keep in touch with relatives if visits are restricted?
This was an announced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other key question areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 February 2021 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, November 2019
Abberton Manor Nursing Home was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care but gaps in care planning and oversight.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 16 and 18 September 2019. Inspectors spoke with five people using the service, one relative and seven staff. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, kind staff, good food and a wide range of activities. People were supported to make choices and to keep relationships and interests.
There were some areas needing improvement. Care plans did not always include oral health or clear diabetes guidance. One legal authorisation had expired. Environmental risk checks and the new quality monitoring system did not identify every issue. The provider took immediate action on some of these points.
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw positive, respectful interactions. Staff supported people's dignity, choices and independence.
“Staff had developed good relationships with people. We saw positive interactions between staff, and the people they supported.” from the report
Activities and community links
People could take part in indoor activities, trips and events. Staff also helped people continue important interests and relationships.
“An area the service excels at is providing a range of indoor and community-based activities designed to meet people's interests and health benefits.” from the report
End of life support
Relatives and staff said people received comfortable, dignified and pain-free end of life care. Families were involved in planning this care.
“Relatives and staff told us people were provided with the support they needed to experience a comfortable, dignified and pain free death.” from the report
Food and mealtimes
People had food and drink suited to their preferences. Mealtimes were sociable, and staff knew people's dietary needs.
“Meals times were a positive, and sociable experience for people with a good ratio of staff present to ensure they received the support they needed to eat their meal.” from the report
Environmental safety checks
seriousInspectors found that some environmental risks had not been assessed, including access to a steep stairwell and premises security. The provider acted immediately after these concerns were discussed.
“The security of the premises and people's access to a steep stair well from the first floor had not.” from the report
Care plan gaps
needs fixingSome care plans did not explain people's oral health needs or give clear instructions for managing diabetes and blood sugar readings.
“There was no information what their normal blood sugar range should be or what action staff should take, if the reading differed.” from the report
Expired legal authorisation
seriousOne authorisation restricting a person's freedom had expired, and no further request had been made. The provider said it had introduced a better tracking system after the inspection.
“A review of the DoLS file confirmed authorisations were either in place or requested to restrict people's freedom for their own safety, however we found one DoLS had expired and no additional request had been made.” from the report
Quality monitoring
needs fixingThe new monitoring process had identified some improvements but missed issues found during the inspection. It needed to become established and reliably drive improvement.
“Whilst the CIP had identified areas needing improvement, this had not identified some of the issues we found during the inspection.” from the report
Shared room privacy
needs fixingThe home included a four-bedded shared room. Inspectors were not assured that the screens would provide enough privacy if all four beds were occupied.
“Two hospital style screens had been provided, but we were not assured these would provide privacy and promote people's dignity if fully occupied by four people.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to the care plans for oral health and diabetes management?
- 02How do you now check that legal authorisations are current and renewed before they expire?
- 03What safety measures were put in place around the steep stairwell and the security of the premises?
- 04How many people can share each room, and how will privacy and dignity be protected?
- 05How is the quality monitoring process now checking that identified improvements are completed?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering the premises and care, with all five CQC questions assessed; the previous overall rating and all five previous ratings were Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 November 2019 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Abberton Manor Nursing Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 January 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
35 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.