CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Abbeywood Tottington Limited
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found safe systems for safeguarding, risk management, falls, medicines, recruitment and infection control. People said they felt safe, although views about staffing levels were mixed.
- Effective?
- Good
- This key question was not assessed during this focused inspection. Its rating was carried forward from the previous inspection when calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not assessed during this focused inspection. Its rating was carried forward from the previous inspection when calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not assessed during this focused inspection. Its rating was carried forward from the previous inspection when calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The management team completed audits and checks, used an improvement plan and submitted required notifications. A new manager had been appointed, with an application to register with CQC still to be completed.
What inspectors found, February 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe care and good management, but staffing levels and activities needed further review.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 17 and 26 January 2023. Inspectors looked at Safe and Well-led after concerns about care, staffing levels and falls management. They spoke with 10 people, one relative and four staff, and checked care, medicines, recruitment and safety records.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Good for Well-led. Inspectors found suitable safeguarding, risk management, medicines, infection control and recruitment systems. They found no evidence that people were at risk of harm from the concerns that had been raised.
The management team carried out checks and had an improvement plan. However, people gave mixed views about staffing, activities were limited, and a new manager had been appointed but had not yet completed the application to register with CQC.
Safety monitoring
Incidents and falls were monitored, and the information was used to identify learning and help keep people safe.
“Effective monitoring systems were in place; these include incidents and falls. These helped to identify areas of learning, so people were kept safe.” from the report
Medicines
Inspectors found that prescribed medicines, including controlled drugs, were stored and managed safely.
“People's prescribed medicines were managed and administered safely.” from the report
Care and staff
People generally spoke positively about the staff and the support they received. Inspectors also found that people were supported to make choices and remain as independent as possible.
“People spoke positively about the staff and the care and support they received.” from the report
Management checks
The home used audits, checks and a business improvement plan to identify areas for development.
“Audits and checks were carried out in a range of areas. These helped to inform the home business improvement plan.” from the report
Staffing levels
needs fixingPeople gave mixed views about whether there were enough staff. The manager agreed that staffing levels needed to remain under review.
“There never seems to be enough staff to manage all the everyday needs” from the report
Limited activities
minorPeople said activities were limited and that they could become bored. The manager said this would be explored further.
“I am happy here but there is nothing to do and it can get quite boring” from the report
Manager registration
minorThe previous registered manager had resigned. A deputy manager had taken over as manager, but the application to register with CQC was still due to be submitted.
“An application to register with CQC was to be submitted.” from the report
- 01How many staff are planned for each shift, and what happens when the home is short-staffed?
- 02What activities are currently offered, and how do residents help decide what is provided?
- 03Has the new manager completed the application to register with CQC?
- 04How will families receive regular updates and information about events?
- 05How are falls and changes in residents' risks reviewed and followed up?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other key-question ratings were carried forward from the previous inspection when calculating the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 February 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, April 2022
Abbeywood Tottington Limited is Rated Good; inspectors found improvements in safety and management, with a medicines fridge issue still being addressed.
This was an announced focused inspection on 30 March 2022. One inspector spoke with four people and five staff, and reviewed care records, medicines records, recruitment files, and health and safety checks.
The home had improved since the previous inspection. Staff recruitment checks, risk assessments, safety checks, care records, medicines systems, and management audits had been strengthened. Staffing levels were considered adequate, although managers were recruiting more staff as occupancy increased.
Inspectors found people were supported safely and could maintain contact with family and friends. They also found that the home followed infection control guidance and worked within the Mental Capacity Act.
The overall rating changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This inspection only checked Safe and Well-led, so the other ratings were carried forward from the previous comprehensive inspection.
Improved safety checks
The home had strengthened risk assessments, emergency plans, premises checks, and equipment checks since the previous inspection.
“Care files included up to date assessments with guidance for staff to follow to help mitigate areas of risk.” from the report
Safer recruitment
Recruitment records and checks were in place before new staff started, including checks for agency staff.
“Relevant information and checks were carried out prior to new staff commencing employment.” from the report
Safe medicines support
Medicine administration records, topical cream records, and decisions about covert medicines had improved and were being managed safely.
“Mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions were undertaken where people refused their prescribed medicines.” from the report
Supportive staff
People spoke positively about staff and said they felt happy, safe, and supported.
“I feel happy and safe” from the report
Better management oversight
Audits, updated policies, training, and ongoing reviews were being used to identify improvements.
“A range of audits and checks were completed to help identify areas of continuous improvement.” from the report
Medicine fridge temperature
needs fixingInspectors found the medicine fridge was too warm. The pharmacy was contacted and a replacement fridge was ordered during the inspection.
“We found the fridge temperatures were high. During the inspection the pharmacy was contacted, and a new fridge ordered.” from the report
Timeliness of notifications
minorThe home was submitting required statutory notifications, but the manager was reminded to send them to CQC promptly.
“However, the registered manager was reminded these must be submitted in a timely manner ensuring the Commission is kept fully informed.” from the report
- 01Has the replacement medicine fridge been installed, and how are its temperatures now checked and recorded?
- 02How do you make sure all statutory notifications are sent to CQC promptly?
- 03How many staff are currently working on each shift, and how will staffing change as occupancy increases?
- 04What checks now make sure care records and risk assessments stay up to date when people's needs change?
- 05What activities and opportunities are now available for residents and relatives?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the ratings for Effective, Caring, and Responsive were carried forward from the previous comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 April 2022 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 Abbeywood Tottington Limited
5 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Abbeywood Tottington Limited →
- April 2022Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Abbeywood Tottington Limited →
- April 2021Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 November 2010.
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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