Abbeygate

Updated 11 March 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

One inspector completed day one of the inspection on 8 February 2022. Day two was completed by two inspectors on 15 February 2022.

An Expert by Experience completed telephone calls to relatives on the 17 February 2022. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Abbeygate is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Abbeygate is a care home without nursing care. 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 on the 8 and 15 February 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager, seven care staff and two students. We spoke with five people living at Abbeygate and a visitor.

We looked at records, which included five people's risk assessments, medicines records and the governance arrangements that were in place. We checked recruitment records for three members of staff and training for the whole staff team. We also looked at a range of records about how the service was managed, such as meetings and policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and further records relating to safety. We contacted a further nine relatives by telephone.

Updated 11 March 2022

Abbeygate accommodates up to 20 older people in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection 18 people were living at the service.

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

We found some areas that needed addressing to ensure the home was safe. On day one of our inspection we found there was exposed pipes in communal areas and hallways, which put people at risk of scalds and burns. Risks in respect of cross infection had not been minimised due to areas of the home being cluttered and difficult to clean and handling of people’s laundry did not follow recommended guidance. When we returned on day two of the inspection these concerns were all being or had been addressed by the registered manager.

Systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service. Audits had not identified all of our findings found on day one. Annual surveys and meetings with people, relatives and staff had not continued at frequent intervals, which would gain the views of people and help drive improvement and help to develop a cohesive team.

The home had gone through a period of change with people and staff moving from one of the provider’s other homes, in part to assist with staff work pressures and occupancy. There had been a high staff turnover, which was being managed with ongoing recruitment. At the time of the inspection there was only one staff vacancy. Relatives and people were very much aware of the recent changes.

Due to staff absence, staff were working additional hours and the management were providing care and support to ensure safe staffing levels. People and their relatives felt overall there was sufficient staff to provide them with the care and support they needed.

Individual risk assessments were in place to keep people safe such as going out independently, support with personal care, and supporting with health conditions. Policies and procedures were in place, which included the reporting of allegations of abuse. Robust recruitment processes were in place to ensure staff were suitable to work at Abbeygate.

Relatives and people spoke positively about the care and support that was in place and how the service had kept them safe during the pandemic. There was a homely and relaxed atmosphere within Abbeygate.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was good (published 18 December 2018).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns we found during an infection control assurance inspection, which meant we returned to complete a focused inspection on the questions safe and well led. This was because we found exposed hot pipes in corridors and the lounge area, which potentially put people at risk of burns and scalds. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

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.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well led sections of this full report. The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.