Abbots Wood Manor

Updated 26 February 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector

Service and service type

Abbots Wood Manor is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection we contacted other agencies involved with the home. We reviewed statutory notifications sent to us by the home about events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service and spent time observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We spoke with eight members of staff including head of governance, regional operations manager, registered manager, clinical lead, care and nursing staff, kitchen and activities staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s electronic care records in full and a further four people’s care records to look at specific documentation in relation to diagnosed health conditions and daily records. We reviewed electronic medicines records and observed medicine being given to people. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, and two further supervision and staff reviews. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the day to day management of the service, including maintenance, nutrition and activities, as well as quality assurance systems and processes.

After the inspection

Following the inspection, we looked at training data sent to us.

Updated 26 February 2022

About the service

Abbotts Wood Manor is a purpose built residential care home providing nursing and personal care for up to 60 people. The building was built and opened during the COVID-19 pandemic and as such has been designed to include safe visiting areas. The building is divided into four separate units over two floors, each of which has separate facilities. Only two units are currently open, one of which specialises in providing care to people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 22 people living at the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Systems were in place to assess risk and people were protected from the risk of abuse. People received safe and appropriate care as staff had the skills and training to meet people’s individual health needs. Staffing levels were good, and people told us staff were always available when they needed them. Recruitment was ongoing and staffing levels were regularly reviewed. Medicine systems and processes were safe. All aspects of care delivery were audited and reviewed, if any issues or concerns arose, these were investigated, and actions taken. All learning was shared and taken forward to improve future practice.

People’s needs were assessed and regularly reviewed to ensure their individual needs continued to be met. Emphasis was placed on ensuring maximum involvement of people and their next of kin if appropriate to ensure they were part of all decisions made. Management and staff worked closely with other external health providers to ensure collaborative consistent care was provided.

Peoples nutritional needs were met. Staff were aware if anyone had specific dietary needs. People had choice and were involved in menu planning and encouraged to eat a healthy balanced diet.

Abbots Wood Manor was purpose built; this meant every room had its own ensuite facilities. People’s rooms were personalised and homely. People told us they had bought in their own items of furniture, ornaments and pictures.

The home had a relaxed atmosphere. People were seen to spend their time how they chose. We saw people approach staff on a number of occasions for a chat. Staff responded in a kind and caring manner, ensuring they listened to people and any requests and queries were responded to promptly. People were spoken to in a dignified and respectful manner. Staff understood the importance of supporting people’s independence and privacy. People told us, “The staff are great, they are here when you need them, but when I want to be in my room and sit quietly, they respect that.”

There was a busy and varied activity programme. People received a monthly and weekly activity planner. People spoke positively about the activities and were able to pick and choose those they attended. Feedback was sought from people and activities were tailored to meet people’s hobbies and interests. People were supported to maintain relationships that were important to them. People had also formed friendship groups within the home.

There was a complaints procedure in place. People and relatives were aware how to make a complaint if needed. People told us they felt able to raise any issues or concerns however minor, and these were responded to and resolved. One staff member told us, “Abbots Wood is peoples’ home, anything even if its little I can do to make it better for them and make them happy, I am happy to do it.“ All feedback was valued and used to make improvements.

People’s end of life needs were met. Staff took time to get to know people and their relatives to ensure they knew peoples end of life wishes and to offer care and support. Information was recorded in care documentation to ensure peoples individual wishes and preferences were known by all staff.

Quality and assurance systems were in place to ensure high standards of care and support were always maintained. Audits were completed and these were overseen by the organisation to ensure the provider had a clear picture of the running of the home. The registered manager and clinical lead had oversight of all areas of the day to day running of the home. This helped identify areas of strength and any areas for development. Managers and staff were clear about their roles and worked together to ensure people’s needs were met. Meetings had taken place for staff and to gain people’s feedback. Further meetings had been planned as the number of people and staff grew. Staff felt supported by a clear management structure and received supervision and support when needed.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 19 January 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

We inspected this service as they not yet been rated.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.