CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Abbottswood Lodge
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, detailed risk plans, safe recruitment systems and good infection control. They noted limited space in the medicines room and distractions during medicine rounds, with extra safeguards introduced after the visit.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care plans recorded people's preferences and support needs. Staff were trained, people were supported with food and drink, and the home worked with health professionals.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives gave positive feedback about staff. Inspectors saw kindness, respect, meaningful conversations and support for people's independence and choices.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care and activities were adapted to people's interests, communication needs and abilities. People were supported to take part in community activities, holidays and end of life planning.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had regular audits, staff meetings, supervision and checks on care quality. Staff said they felt supported and listened to by the management team.
What inspectors found, June 2019
Rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with medicine-room space and distractions needing attention.
This was an unannounced, scheduled comprehensive inspection on 9 May 2019. The inspector spoke with people living in the home, relatives, managers and care staff. They observed care and checked care plans, medicines, staff records and quality checks.
The report describes a clean and comfortable home with enough staff, detailed risk plans and person-centred care. People were treated kindly, supported to make choices and encouraged to take part in activities and their local community. Staff also supported people's health, eating, communication and end of life needs.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found a medicines room had limited working space and medicine rounds could be affected by distractions. The manager said improvements and extra safeguards were being put in place.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff treating people with compassion and taking time to talk with them. People were supported with dignity and respect.
“We observed staff treating people with compassion and affection and taking the time to have meaningful conversations.” from the report
Personalised support
Care records included people's preferences, interests and communication needs. People and families were involved in planning care where appropriate.
“Care records were written in a person-centred way, detailing people's preferences, likes and dislikes.” from the report
Community involvement
People took part in activities, local events and community life. Staff supported people to remain as independent as possible.
“People living at Abbottswood Lodge participated in activities and were actively involved in their local community.” from the report
Good staff support
Inspectors found enough staff on duty and saw evidence of training, supervision and development. Staff spoke positively about the support they received.
“There were sufficient staff on shift to meet people's needs.” from the report
Medicines room and distractions
needs fixingThe medicines room had limited space, with items on surfaces reducing clear working space. Medicine rounds were busy and environmental distractions could affect concentration, although the manager said changes and extra safeguards were being put in place.
“Medicine rounds observed were busy, and there were environmental distractions which could impact on the staff member's ability to concentrate.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to increase clear working space in the medicines room?
- 02What extra safeguards are now used to reduce distractions during medicine rounds?
- 03What is the current position on the outstanding legal authorisation applications mentioned in the report?
- 04How will you make sure my relative's preferences, communication needs and independence remain central to their care plan?
- 05How are people's food, fluid intake and weight monitored when there are health risks?
This was an unannounced, scheduled comprehensive inspection covering all five questions; the previous inspection in 2016 was also Good in all five. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 June 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.
What inspectors found, October 2016
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with strong leadership and community links.
This was an unannounced inspection on 29 June 2016. One inspector spoke with 11 people living in the home, managers and staff, and observed care during the day. They checked care records, medicines records, recruitment files, training records and quality checks.
The home provided residential care for up to 22 adults with a learning disability. Twenty people were living there during the inspection. Inspectors found enough suitably recruited staff, safe medicines handling, clear risk assessments and staff who understood safeguarding.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means inspectors found the home was meeting the relevant requirements and providing a good standard of care at the time of this inspection.
Safe staffing and medicines
There were enough staff to support people promptly, including with personal care, meals and activities. Medicines were safely stored, administered and recorded.
“We saw that staffing levels were sufficient to meet people's needs appropriately” from the report
Personalised communication
Staff used different communication methods, such as signs, pictures, objects and gestures, to help people express choices and understand care.
“Each person had a detailed communication profile, which explained how each person expressed themselves and how staff could help people make decisions and choices.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in their care, daily decisions, room design and activities. The home supported hobbies, community links and important relationships.
“People were fully involved in planning their own care and making choices about their lives.” from the report
Strong management
The manager was visible and approachable. Audits, meetings and action plans were used to monitor and improve the home.
“An open and inclusive culture was demonstrated in Abbottswood Lodge, with clear and positive leadership evident.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you review staffing levels when a person's needs change?
- 02How do you make sure my relative's communication profile is followed by every member of staff?
- 03How are families involved in reviewing care plans and making best-interest decisions?
- 04What activities and community opportunities would be available for my relative?
- 05How can I raise a concern or complaint, and how would it be recorded and investigated?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions and the overall quality of the home; inspectors reviewed four care records, tracked the care of two people and sampled medicines records for three people. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 October 2016 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 Abbottswood Lodge
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- June 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 August 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.
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13 live-in carers within about an hour of Norfolk
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 £990 to £1,120 a week. 9 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
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.