Abingdon Court Care Home

Updated 6 October 2020

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. 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

The inspection team consisted of an inspector and an Expert by Experience. 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

Abingdon Court 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. Inspection activity started on 15 August 2020 and ended on 22 August 2020. We visited the location on 22 August 2020.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought 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 reviewed the provider’s previous inspection reports. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 13 people and received feedback from three relatives. We looked at four people’s care records and five medicine administration records (MAR). We spoke with the registered manager and five staff which included, a nurse, carers, hospitality assistant and an activities coordinator. We received written feedback from five staff. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We received feedback from two professionals who regularly visit the service.

Updated 6 October 2020

About the service

Abingdon Court is a care home. It is registered to provide personal and nursing care for up to 64 people across three separate wings, each of which has separate adapted facilities. At the time of our inspection 48 people were living at the service.

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

People living at Abingdon Court received safe care from skilled and knowledgeable staff. Staff knew how to identify and report any concerns. The provider had safe recruitment and selection processes in place.

Risks to people's safety and well-being were managed through a risk management process. There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people's needs. Medicines were managed safely, and people received their medicines safely and as prescribed.

The provider’s care recording system had improved. People had access to meaningful activities which had been adapted in line with current guidelines. Staff consistency enabled people to receive good care from staff who knew them well. Staff knew how to support people during end of life care.

The home was well-led by a registered manager who had been in post since the last inspection and was committed to improving people’s quality of life. The service had a clear management and staffing structure in place and staff worked well as a team. The provider had established an effective quality assurance system to monitor the quality and safety of the service. Staff worked well with external social and health care professionals.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 23 October 2019).

At this inspection we found improvements had been made.

Why we inspected

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 24 September 2019. We rated the service requires improvement in three key questions.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had made improvements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe, Responsive and Well-led which contain those requirements.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Abingdon Court Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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 coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.

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.

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