Abbeymoor Neurodisability Centre

Updated 12 December 2019

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

One inspector completed this inspection.

Service and service type

Abbeymoor Neurodisability Centre is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and personal 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 was an unannounced inspection.

What we did

We reviewed information we had received about the service, which included details about incidents the provider must notified us about, feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all the information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with seven people who used the service and three relatives to ask about their experience of the care provided. We also used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We spoke with the regional manager, the registered manager, two nurses, six care staff, a cook, and the administrator.

We reviewed a range of records. This included five people's care records, medication records and various records related to recruitment, staff training and supervision, and the management of the service.

Updated 12 December 2019

About the service

Abbeymoor Neurodisability Centre is a care home which provides nursing and residential care for up to 41 people. Care is primarily provided for people living with acquired brain injuries or genetic disorders that impact their cognitive functioning. At the time of our inspection there were 26 people using the service.

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

Since the last inspection the provider and registered manager had made significant improvements to the operation of the service. Action had been taken to ensure equipment was appropriately checked and useable; and improve fire safety practices, care records, meal time experiences and the use of covert medicines. Staff now had time to place people at the heart of the service.

The registered manager and staff demonstrably showed people were valued and respected. People were involved in the recruitment of new staff. They had access to technological solutions to assist them communicate and were regularly consulted about how the home operated. Until their recent retirement the activities coordinators provided a range of opportunities for people to engage in meaningful activities. A new activity coordinator was in the process of being employed.

We found staff were committed to delivering person-centred care. Staff were making a difference to people’s wellbeing by working well as a team, and by sharing the same values and principles. They actively promoted equality and diversity within the home. 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.

Staff took steps to safeguard people and promoted their human rights. Incidents were dealt with appropriately and lessons were learnt, which helped to keep people safe. People's health and social care needs were thoroughly assessed. External professionals were involved in individual's care when necessary.

Staff had received a wide range of training and checks were made on the ongoing competency of staff. Appropriate checks were completed prior to people being employed to work at the service.

The cook had received training around meeting people's nutritional needs. Staff effectively supported people to eat a nutritious diet and drink ample fluids. A range of menu choices were available.

The registered manager took appropriate action to deal with any concerns and complaints. The service was well run. The senior managers and registered manager carried out lots of checks to make sure that the service was effective. The registered manager constantly looked for ways to improve the service.

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

Rating at last inspection

Requires improvement (report published 19 October 2018).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up

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