CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Abington Park View Care Home
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, April 2020
Rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with night staffing and some training needing continued monitoring.
Inspectors made an unannounced visit on 3 and 4 March 2020. They spoke with four people, four relatives and nine staff. They also observed care and reviewed care, medicines and management records.
The home was rated Good overall and Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found people felt safe, were treated with kindness and dignity, and received care that reflected their needs and preferences.
There were enough staff at the time of the inspection, but the provider was asked to keep night staffing arrangements under review. Most staff training was up to date, with arrangements being made to refresh some training.
The previous overall rating was also Good, published on 26 September 2017. The report says the home would continue to be monitored and could be inspected sooner if concerns were received.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe, and staff knew how to recognise and report abuse. Risks were reviewed and staff understood how to support people safely.
“Staff had training to enable them to recognise signs of abuse and understood how to keep people safe.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff were observed treating people gently and with care. People and relatives said staff were friendly, welcoming and respectful.
“Staff enjoyed their work and we saw they interacted with people in a gentle, kind and caring manner.” from the report
Personalised support and activities
Care plans recorded people's needs, likes and preferences. People took part in activities such as exercise, games, knitting and trips into the community.
“Care plans were reviewed and updated regularly, or as people's needs had changed.” from the report
People's views led to improvements
The home collected feedback through meetings and surveys. Inspectors saw examples of suggestions being acted on, including changes to the dining room.
“People gave us examples of the provider and registered manager listening to their feedback and making improvements as a result.” from the report
Good management oversight
The management team used audits, meetings and other checks to monitor quality and improve the service. Staff described the culture as open and supportive.
“The management team carried out audits of the service to maintain the safety and quality of the service and drive improvement.” from the report
Night staffing needed continued review
needs fixingTwo staff were deployed at night. The provider increased on-call availability after discussion with inspectors, but was asked to keep checking that arrangements remained sufficient.
“The provider needs to continue to monitor these arrangements to make sure they are sufficient and increase staffing levels if the needs of people increase.” from the report
Some training needed refreshing
minorInspectors found staff training records were mostly up to date, but some training was due for renewal. The provider was arranging refresher training.
“We looked at training records and found these were mostly up to date.” from the report
- 01How many staff are normally on duty overnight, and how quickly can extra help be provided in an emergency?
- 02What changes have been made to the night on-call arrangements since the inspection?
- 03Which staff training needed refreshing, and has all of it now been completed?
- 04How will you update my relative's care plan when their needs, preferences or risks change?
- 05How are residents and relatives involved in decisions and improvements at the home?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including care, staffing, medicines, records, people's views and management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 April 2020 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, September 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some people saying the food could be better.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 9 August 2017. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives and staff. They observed care and checked care records, training, staffing, medicines, complaints and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable care plans and support that respected people's choices, dignity and privacy.
People had access to healthcare and support with food and activities. Most findings were positive, although some people said the food could be better. The registered manager was planning to leave, and the provider was recruiting a replacement.
The home was also rated Good at the previous inspection on 27 May 2015. This report says the service remained Good.
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough experienced and trained staff to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks were also completed before staff started work.
“There were sufficient numbers of experienced and trained care staff on duty.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff were described as caring and friendly. Inspectors saw people being treated with dignity, privacy and respect for their choices.
“People were treated with dignity and their right to make choices about how they preferred their care to be provided was respected.” from the report
Individual support
Care plans reflected people's needs and preferences. Staff knew people's likes, dislikes and changing needs.
“People's individual support needs had been assessed prior to their admission to the home.” from the report
Healthcare support
People's health needs were monitored and the home sought advice from healthcare professionals when needed.
“People's healthcare needs were appropriately monitored and advice sought from other healthcare professionals as necessary.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The provider used surveys, audits and other checks to monitor the service and people's experiences.
“People's experience of the service, including that of people's relatives, was seen as being important to help drive the service forward and sustain a good quality of care and support.” from the report
Food was not liked by everyone
minorPeople's views about meals varied. Some people said the food could be better, although nobody said they went hungry.
“I don't mind it most days but it could be better really.” from the report
Managerial change
minorThe registered manager was planning to leave when inspectors visited. The provider was recruiting a replacement, so families should check how leadership is now arranged.
“The provider was already actively recruiting for a new manager.” from the report
Finding bedrooms
minorInspectors said people with dementia might benefit from individual signs on bedroom doors to help them find their rooms.
“People with dementia care needs may benefit from having individualised signage on their bedroom doors to help them locate their own room more easily.” from the report
- 01Who is currently managing the home, following the planned departure of the registered manager?
- 02What changes have been made to the meals since some people said the food could be better?
- 03What support is available to help a person with dementia find their bedroom?
- 04How are staffing levels checked when people's needs change?
- 05How are people's views and relatives' views used to make improvements?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 September 2017 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 Abington Park View Care Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Abington Park View Care Home →
- September 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Abington Park View Care Home →
- August 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 August 2012.
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of West Northamptonshire
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 £980 to £1,280 a week. 87 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“We can all fully relax around Nyarai and she feels like part of our family, which is no mean feat!”
“If you bump into her in the night on her way to the bathroom she will still inquire how you are and if everything is alright.”
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.