Abbeyfield Lear House

Updated 4 February 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 21 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.

Updated 4 February 2022

About the service: Abbeyfield Lear House is registered to provide accommodation with personal care for up to 33 older people some of who may be living with dementia. The service also accommodates up to nine people in a separate building located next to the main house which is currently used for people receiving respite care. At the time of the inspection there were 25 people living in the home, which included five people who were staying for a short period of respite care.

People’s experience of using this service:

Since the previous inspection the registered manager has made improvements to the service and implemented systems to ensure that people’s records contained person-centred information which was relevant and up-to-date.

People told us they felt safe living in the home and that staff were always there when they needed them. Risks that people faced were now accurately assessed and recorded; those identified were safely managed. Records relating to people’s safe evacuation in an emergency were now accurate and reflected current care and support needs. Medicines were now managed safely and adequate systems were in place to ensure that medicine administration records were completed accurately. Staff showed a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities for keeping people safe from harm. The environment was safe and people had access to appropriate equipment when needed including during any potential emergency evacuation procedures.

The management team and staff created a warm, calm and friendly atmosphere within the home. Positive comments were received regarding the caring approach of the staff team and how well they knew people’s needs. Strong, familiar and positive relationships had been developed between staff and people living in the home. Staff were motivated to deliver care that was person-centred and based on people’s needs and preferences. People were treated with kindness, compassion and respect and staff interacted well with people.

Enough suitably qualified and skilled staff were deployed to meet people’s needs. Staff received a range of training and support appropriate to their role and people’s needs. Staff told us they received a good level of support from the registered manager and were encouraged to develop within their roles.

People’s needs and choices had been assessed and planned for and guidance available for staff to deliver care in a way people preferred. People told us they received the right care and support and felt staff were well trained. The care people received reflected what was recorded within their plans and staff ensured that information recorded was relevant and up-to-date. People were encouraged and supported to eat and drink well and supported to access health care when needed. People were offered choice and control and where able consented to their care and support. Where people lacked capacity to make their own decisions they were made in their best interests and in line with the Mental Capacity Act.

The leadership of the service promoted a positive culture that was person-centred and inclusive. Good links with the community had been made in order to encourage engagement and social inclusion. Effective systems were now in place to check the quality and safety of the service and improvements were made when required.

Rating at last inspection: Requires improvement (report published 3 May 2018)

Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection based on the rating at our 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.

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