The Abbeys

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

People told us they felt safe in The Abbeys. Safeguarding policies and procedures were in place and staff knew how to protect people from poor care and abuse. There was a reflective practice learning culture in place that identified themes, trends and lessons learned from incidents. There were sufficient numbers of suitably trained staff on duty to meet people’s needs and to support them to keep safe. Overall, safe medicines management processes were in place however we did identify some areas for improvement. The environment was generally clean and visits for people were facilitated safely.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

We identified a 'reflective practice' approach in the care home which identified themes and trends and lessons to be learned when incidents were reviewed. We saw evidence of thorough and thoughtful investigation into incidents. There was timely and appropriate remedial action taken to prevent recurrence as a result of lessons learned.

We spoke to 5 people who lived at The Abbeys and 6 family members who were visiting relatives on the day of inspection. People told us they were safe at The Abbeys. One person said, “I feel safe here because I feel at home and happy.” Another person said, “Oh yes I am safe and there is always somebody on duty and walking round.” Family members were happy that their loved ones were safe. One relative told us, “[Person] is much safer here than at home and they have people around.” Another relative said, “[Relative] is a 100% safe here and I have seen that [the staff] have time for him.”

Staff accessed appropriate training and development opportunities. Staff received supervision and support and they felt supported by their manager.

People told us they were safe at The Abbeys. One person said, “I feel safe here because I feel at home and happy.” Another person said, “Oh yes I am safe and there is always somebody on duty and walking round.” Family members were happy that their loved ones were safe. One relative told us, “[Person] is much safer here than at home and they have people around.” Another relative said, “[Relative] is a 100% safe here and I have seen that [the staff] have time for him.”

Systems were in place to ensure continuity of care when people move between different services.

We spoke with a visiting healthcare professional who carries out regular visits to the service. They confirmed the staff team supported their visits appropriately and they had no concerns about the service. They told us that staff knew people well, demonstrated good communication and followed advice when it had been sought. Recent quality visits as a part of the contract management process with the Local Authority were positive and where minor improvements had been identified there was evidence to indicate these areas had been addressed.

We identified a 'reflective practice' approach in the care home which identified themes and trends and lessons to be learned when incidents were reviewed. We saw evidence of thorough and thoughtful investigation into incidents. There was timely and appropriate remedial action taken to prevent recurrence as a result of lessons learned.

People told us they were safe at The Abbeys. One person said, “I feel safe here because I feel at home and happy.” Another person said, “Oh yes I am safe and there is always somebody on duty and walking round.” Family members were happy that their loved ones were safe. One relative told us, “[Person] is much safer here than at home and they have people around.” Another relative said, “[Relative] is a 100% safe here and I have seen that [the staff] have time for him.”

We observed staff using a hoist. They were careful and maintained good communication with the person being hoisted. We observed that, at times, there were many call bells ringing. Staff responded to them quite quickly and efficiently.

Staff we spoke with understand how to protect people from poor care and abuse. They knew how to report concerns and felt listened to. The management team places an emphasis on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect.

Safeguarding policies and procedures were in place and staff accessed training to protect people from harm and abuse.

We reviewed people’s care plans and risk assessments. We observed that people’s care and support was delivered in line with their care plan and risk assessment. For people who required slings for hoisting, we observed that these were not all labelled. We brought this to the attention of the deputy manager who confirmed they would follow this up.

Conversations with staff confirmed they knew how to manage people’s identified risks. Staff told us they accessed appropriate training to support people safely.

People had care plans and risk assessments in place that identified their needs and the support required to meet those needs. Care plans were reviewed appropriately to ensure they continued to reflect people's needs and support.

People told us they were safe at The Abbeys. One person said, “I feel safe here because I feel at home and happy.” Another person said, “Oh yes I am safe and there is always somebody on duty and walking round.” Family members were happy that their loved ones were safe. One relative told us, “[Person] is much safer here than at home and they have people around.” Another relative said, “[Relative] is a 100% safe here and I have seen that [the staff] have time for him.”

We observed staff supporting a person to transfer from their chair. The transfer was completed but it felt like it could have been completed in a more appropriate way so we reviewed the care plan. We identified that improvements could be made so we communicated this to the deputy manager. The deputy manager told us they had addressed this with the staff involved. The environment on the units in general was safe and clutter free which allowed people the space to move around freely and without any hazards in their way.

There was a comprehensive and detailed policy in place that contained all the information about processes involved in moving and handling. Equipment was maintained appropriately.

People told us they were safe at The Abbeys. One person said, “I feel safe here because I feel at home and happy.” Another person said, “Oh yes I am safe and there is always somebody on duty and walking round.” Family members were happy that their loved ones were safe. One relative told us, “[Person] is much safer here than at home and they have people around.” Another relative said, “[Relative] is a 100% safe here and I have seen that [the staff] have time for him.”

Staff accessed appropriate training to move people safely. Staff told us they did not have any concerns about the equipment in place.

There were sufficient numbers of suitably trained staff to meet people's needs and to support them to stay safe. We observed staff using a hoist and they were very careful and maintained good communication with the person being hoisted. We observed at times there were many call bells ringing and staff responded to them quite quickly. The quiz activity was really good and people were encouraged to participate. It was well run and the questions were appropriate and good for the people who took part.

Staff were recruited safely. We saw lessons had been learned about recruitment of staff as a result of reviewing processes.

Staff received appropriate training and told us they received regular supervision to support them in their roles.

People told us they were safe at The Abbeys. One person said, “I feel safe here because I feel at home and happy.” Another person said, “Oh yes I am safe and there is always somebody on duty and walking round.” Family members were happy that their loved ones were safe. One relative told us, “[Person] is much safer here than at home and they have people around.” Another relative said, “[Relative] is a 100% safe here and I have seen that [the staff] have time for him.”

There were detailed policies in place that covered all aspects of infection, prevention and control measures that needed to be place.

The home was generally clean and well maintained but we identified some minor areas for improvement in the care environment. These points were raised with the deputy manager on the day of inspection. Visits from relatives and family members were facilitated safely.

Staff confirmed they were aware of infection prevention and control procedures and that they had accessed appropriate training. There was a system in place to ensure that domestic staff had a methodical approach to cleaning the home.

People told us they were safe at The Abbeys. One person said, “I feel safe here because I feel at home and happy.” Another person said, “Oh yes I am safe and there is always somebody on duty and walking round.” Family members were happy that their loved ones were safe. One relative told us, “[Person] is much safer here than at home and they have people around.” Another relative said, “[Relative] is a 100% safe here and I have seen that [the staff] have time for him.”

Overall, safe medicines management processes are in place, although we identified some minor areas for improvement. Medicine counts were not accurate for some people and eye drops and topical creams were not dated when opened. There was no clear guidance for staff regarding the sites of application of topical creams kept in people’s bedrooms. We raised these issues with the deputy manager and timely action was taken to address them. The service undertook a series of audits of medications and administration practice. Where errors were identified, remedial actions were put in place.

People told us they were safe at The Abbeys. One person said, “I feel safe here because I feel at home and happy.” Another person said, “Oh yes I am safe and there is always somebody on duty and walking round.” Family members were happy that their loved ones were safe. One relative told us, “[Person] is much safer here than at home and they have people around.” Another relative said, “[Relative] is a 100% safe here and I have seen that [the staff] have time for him.”

Staff confirmed that medicines administration was carried out trained senior staff.