CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Risedale at Abbey Meadow
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Inspectors found enough suitably skilled staff, safe medicines arrangements, effective risk assessments and a clean environment.
- Effective?
- Good
- Care was based on detailed assessments, people's choices and recognised good practice. Staff were well trained, supported people with eating and drinking, worked with healthcare services and understood the Mental Capacity Act.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with kindness and respect. They supported people's dignity, independence, communication and involvement in decisions about their care.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and cultural needs. People could take part in activities, see visitors freely and receive personalised end of life care.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers had clear responsibilities and systems for checking quality and safety. Staff felt supported and were encouraged to speak up, but this rating had fallen from Outstanding at the previous inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2020
Risedale at Abbey Meadow was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was an unannounced, planned inspection on 12 November 2019. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, visitors, staff, managers and a healthcare professional. They observed care and reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff files and management records.
Inspectors found enough suitably skilled staff, safe medicines systems and good protection from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff were well trained and supported people with kindness, dignity, choice and independence. Care was planned around people's individual needs, interests, communication and wishes.
The home offered activities, welcomed visitors and provided well-established end of life care. Managers monitored the service, acted on incidents and complaints, and encouraged staff to raise concerns. All five areas were rated Good. The overall rating was unchanged from the previous inspection, although the well-led rating fell from Outstanding to Good.
Staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff with the right skills and qualifications. Medicines were stored and given safely, and the provider reviewed errors to look for improvements.
“There were enough staff, with the appropriate skills and qualifications, to meet people's needs.” from the report
Personalised activities and support
Care plans included detailed information about people's lives, preferences and needs. People enjoyed group and individual activities, outings and visits from entertainers.
“People enjoyed a range of activities either in groups or on their own with staff.” from the report
End of life care
The home had a clear approach to supporting people and their families at the end of life. Staff worked with specialist services and had training in advance care planning.
“The service had achieved accreditation to the nationally recognised 'Gold Standard Framework' (GSF) for end of life care.” from the report
Open management culture
Managers monitored quality and safety, and staff were encouraged to report errors or concerns. The provider said it was open and honest when incidents happened.
“The provider had established and promoted a no blame culture and staff were supported to speak up if they identified any errors or failings in the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and update my relative's care plan, including their communication needs, preferences and risks?
- 02How do you decide staffing levels when a person's needs change, including at night?
- 03What training and supervision would staff have for my relative's specific condition or complex nursing needs?
- 04How would you involve my relative and our family in advance care planning and end of life decisions?
- 05How are medicines errors recorded, reviewed and explained to families when they happen?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five key questions, and both the premises and care provided were considered; the previous Well-led rating was Outstanding and the other ratings were Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 February 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, May 2017
Rated Good overall, with kind and skilled care and Outstanding leadership, although some activities and call-bell responses were not consistent for everyone.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection over 28 February and 1 March 2017. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, visitors and staff. They also observed care and checked records, training, medicines, staffing and how the home was managed.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive. Inspectors found people were protected from abuse, had enough suitably skilled staff, received their medicines and healthcare, and were treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
The home was rated Outstanding for Well-led. Inspectors found strong leadership, good links with specialist organisations, regular quality checks and a clear commitment to improving care. Two people said they were not supported with suitable activities, and one person reported delays with the call bell, but inspectors found care was generally provided promptly.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors consistently saw staff treating people with kindness and patience. Staff knew people well and supported them in a person-centred way.
“Throughout our inspection we saw that the staff in all areas of the home treated people in a kind and caring way.” from the report
Skilled staff
Staff received training linked to people's complex needs. Specialist nurses and further professional development helped the home provide appropriate care.
“The service maintained links to recognised leading practitioners in supporting people who had complex needs.” from the report
Strong leadership
The inspection found unusually strong management and clear efforts to improve care. Senior staff regularly checked care and supported staff to improve their practice.
“The registered managers and senior staff in the home were skilled and knowledgeable and provided exceptional leadership for staff.” from the report
Good support with meals and health
People were offered choices, snacks and drinks, including support for special diets. Staff also followed advice from specialist healthcare services.
“Mealtimes were happy and sociable occasions that people enjoyed.” from the report
Individual care and activities
Care plans reflected people's preferences and life histories. People were supported to take part in activities at home and in the community, and to continue familiar tasks.
“We saw that people were supported to take part in a range of activities and were included in developing the activities that were arranged in the home and community.” from the report
Some activities did not meet people's needs
minorTwo people said they were not supported to take part in suitable activities. The home had offered support and kept activity records, but families should check how activities are matched to each person.
“Two people told us that they were not supported to take part in appropriate activities.” from the report
One reported call-bell delay
minorOne person said staff did not always respond promptly to their call bell. Inspectors otherwise observed prompt care and heard mostly positive feedback about response times.
“One person said the staff did not always respond promptly when they used their call bell” from the report
- 01How will you make sure activities are suited to my relative's interests and needs?
- 02How do you monitor call-bell response times, especially when staff are busy?
- 03Which staff members have specialist training relevant to my relative's complex needs?
- 04How will my relative and our family be involved in reviewing the care plan?
- 05How do managers check the quality of care during night-time hours?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions; the previous comprehensive inspection in July 2014 rated the home Good overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 May 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 Risedale at Abbey Meadow
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- November 2014GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 19 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
9 live-in carers within about an hour of Westmorland and Furness
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.
8 can care for a couple. 10 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.