Abbeygate Retirement Home is registered to provide care for up to 26 older people, including people living with dementia.
We inspected the home on 22 and 29 September 2015. The inspection was unannounced. There were 26 people living in the home at the time of our inspection.
The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with CQC to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act, 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. DoLS are in place to protect people where they do not have capacity to make decisions and where it is considered necessary to restrict their freedom in some way, usually to protect themselves. At the time of our inspection there was no one using the service who had their freedom restricted in order to keep them safe, although the manager was considering the need for an application in respect of one individual.
People felt safe using the service and were cared for by staff in way that maintained their dignity and respect. However, there was a shortage of staff in the care team which increased the risk to people’s safety and wellbeing.
The service had strong links with local healthcare professionals which meant people were able to access promptly any specialist support required. Medicines were managed safely.
Food and drink were provided to a high standard.
People and their relatives were involved in planning the care and support provided by the service. Staff listened to people and understood and respected their needs. Staff reflected people’s wishes and preferences in the way they delivered care. Staff understood how to identify, report and manage any concerns related to people’s safety and welfare.
Although some people were encouraged to pursue their personal interests, some people did not have enough to stimulation or occupation.
People and their relatives could voice their views and opinions to the manager and staff. The registered provider, the manager and staff listened to what people had to say and took action to resolve any issues as soon as they were raised with them. The manager reviewed untoward incidents and concerns to look for opportunities to improve policies and practices for the future.
Staff were recruited to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable people. They had received training and support to deliver a good quality of care to people, and an active training programme was in place to address identified training needs.
Staff delivered the care that had been planned to meet people’s needs and had a high degree of knowledge about their individual choices, decisions and preferences. There was a calm, homely atmosphere in the service and staff cared for people in a kind and friendly way.
There were systems in place for handling and resolving complaints and the manager and staff encouraged people and their relatives to raise any concerns. The manager demonstrated an open and accountable management style and provided effective support and leadership to the staff team. The manager and the registered provider regularly assessed and monitored the quality of the service provided for people.