CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Abbey Court
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, medicines were managed safely, staff were safely recruited and there were enough trained staff. Infection control and health and safety checks were also in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was used when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found an open and supportive management culture, regular audits, up-to-date policies and systems for listening to people, relatives and staff.
What inspectors found, October 2023
Abbey Court was rated Good; inspectors found safe care and strong management, with this inspection focused only on Safe and Well-led.
The inspection was unannounced. Inspectors visited on 22 August 2023 and reviewed information held about the home, spoke with people, relatives, staff and professionals, and checked care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Inspectors found that risks were assessed, medicines were managed safely, infection control procedures were followed and there were enough suitably trained staff. Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse.
Inspectors also found effective checks on quality and safety. People and relatives spoke positively about the care, communication and support from staff and managers.
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led. The Effective, Caring and Responsive ratings were not inspected and were carried forward from the last inspection, which was rated Good in January 2018.
Risk and safety checks
Risks to people's health, safety and welfare were assessed and reviewed. The home used accident information to reduce the chance of problems happening again.
“Analysis of incidents was used to assess whether preventive measures could be introduced, and lessons learnt to keep people safe.” from the report
Safe medicines
Inspectors found medicines were stored securely, records were accurate and staff were trained and checked as competent.
“Medicines were managed safely. Staff supported people to take their medicines in a person-centred way.” from the report
Staffing and safeguarding
There were enough suitably trained staff, and recruitment checks were completed. Staff understood how to recognise and report abuse.
“There were enough suitably trained staff to meet people's needs and care for them well.” from the report
Supportive management
Staff said they felt supported, and inspectors found regular audits and clear systems for monitoring the quality of care.
“Governance processes were effective. These processes helped to keep people safe, protect people's rights and provide good quality care.” from the report
Positive feedback
People and relatives spoke positively about the care, staff communication and activities offered in the home.
“Relatives spoke positively about the care their loved one's received.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you make sure my relative's care plan and risk assessments stay up to date?
- 02How many staff are usually available for the number and needs of residents, including at night?
- 03How are medicines that are prescribed only when needed assessed and recorded?
- 04How will you keep me informed about changes in my relative's care or any accidents and incidents?
- 05What were the findings of the last inspection for Effective, Caring and Responsive, and have there been any changes since then?
This was an unannounced focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the Effective, Caring and Responsive ratings were carried forward from the last inspection in January 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 October 2023 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, January 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care and clear improvements, but some records and safety checks needed tightening.
This was the first rated inspection of the home for this provider. The first visit on 23 November 2017 was unannounced. A second, announced visit took place on 28 November 2017. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals, reviewed care and medicine records, checked staff files and looked around the building.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe recruitment, safe medicines management and kind, respectful care. Care plans were detailed and tailored to people. Relatives and staff said the home had improved significantly under the newer management team.
There were some shortfalls. Inspectors found gaps in care records and two medicine records, one missing choking risk assessment, a trip hazard during lunch, and limited advertising of activities. These issues were addressed or were being addressed, and the report made a recommendation to improve record keeping. No regulations were recorded as breached.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw warm relationships and staff taking time to talk with people. People and relatives said staff were kind, patient and respectful.
“We observed warm and engaging relationships between staff and people. Staff supported people in a dignified and respectful manner.” from the report
Detailed personal care plans
Records included people's histories, preferences and sources of distress. This helped staff understand how to support each person.
“Care plans were detailed and specific to the person.” from the report
Safe staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs and appropriate recruitment checks were completed.
“Safe recruitment practices were followed and there were enough staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Sensitive end of life care
The home supported people and their families sensitively at the end of life. Plans recorded people's wishes where appropriate.
“End of life care was provided sensitively and with compassion.” from the report
Records were not always complete
needs fixingSome care records and two medicine records were incomplete. Inspectors said this could affect choking risk management, updates to care plans and the timing of some medicines.
“We recommend the provider reviews the systems for ensuring records are up to date and accurate.” from the report
A lunch-time trip hazard
needs fixingA cable from a hot food trolley stretched across a corridor. A person nearly had to step over it, so staff intervened and the risk was dealt with by the end of the day.
“This presented a trip hazard.” from the report
Activities were not clearly advertised
minorActivities were taking place, including one-to-one activities, but people could not easily see what was available or planned because notice boards were not yet in place.
“During the inspection we noted there were no advertised activities so people could not see what was available or planned for that day.” from the report
Some training was still in progress
minorA training plan covered most identified gaps, but staff still needed training in some areas, including mental capacity and liberty protection safeguards.
“Some staff required some training however a plan was in place to ensure staff attended all the required, and some supplementary training.” from the report
- 01How do you now check that choking risk assessments and care plans are complete and reviewed when people's needs change?
- 02What checks are in place to make sure 'as required' medicines are given at the correct intervals?
- 03Has the electrical safety report and the refurbishment work mentioned in the report been completed?
- 04How are activities advertised now, and how do you make sure people can take part in activities that suit them?
- 05What training has been completed since the inspection, especially in mental capacity and liberty protection safeguards?
This was a comprehensive first rated inspection covering all five CQC areas, including the building, care, records, staffing, medicines and management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 January 2018 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 Abbey Court
2 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2018GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 September 2016.
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.
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