Archived: Abington View

Updated 25 August 2021

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 was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Abington View 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

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

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.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the person who received support with personal care about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the registered manager and a member of staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included a person’s care records and their medication records. We looked at staff records in relation to recruitment, training and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, which included audits and quality monitoring documents.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at minutes of meetings and viewed evidence of working with other key stakeholders. We sought the views from a professional who had regular contact with a person at the home, the staff of Abington View and other professionals involved.

Updated 25 August 2021

About the service

Abington View is a care home providing personal care for up to three people with an acquired brain injury. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of the inspection two people were living at Abington View, of which one person was receiving support with personal care.

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

People spoke positively about their care and support, a person summarised their view of Abington View by saying, "This is definitely the golden nugget."

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.

People were at the centre of all decisions and were fully involved in all aspects of their care. Best practice guidance assessment tools for people with an acquired brain injury (ABI) were used to continually assess and keep under review people’s needs. The outcome on assessment was used to develop tailored care pathways and strategies to improve people’s health and welfare, which included maximising the benefit of prescribed medication, and dietary needs. People were supported by a range of health care professionals, who worked in a person-centred way, working collaboratively with all interested parties to achieve the best outcomes for people. Staff had the appropriate knowledge and skills and utilised their lead roles to promote and share good practice for the benefit of those using the service.

A positive approach to risk taking enabled people to maximise their independence and control over their daily lives. People were fully involved in assessing risk, and in agreeing strategies to reduce risks. People’s medicines were managed safely, and people were involved in aspects of medicine management. People were supported by a small team of staff whose recruitment, induction and ongoing training and development promoted good outcomes for people. Abington View was well maintained. Infection prevention and control measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic had been fully communicated with all relevant parties, and potential risks to people and staff had been assessed, and government guidance followed.

People spoke positively about the support and care provided by staff. People had a dedicated keyworker who they had developed a strong and trusting relationship with. This provided people with the confidence to share their views and enabled staff to signpost and seek support and guidance from the most appropriate source.

People were at the heart of all decisions made, and a person-centred approach enabled people to receive tailored support and care to maximise their potential. People were active members within the community, in both paid employment and voluntary work. People accessed a range of leisure and recreational activities. People were supported to pursue their hobbies and interests and maintain contact with those important to them.

The provider was committed to achieving positive outcomes for people. Quality monitoring of the service both internally and by external organisation enabled the provider to target resources and drive improvement. External organisations for ABI had assessed the service as outstanding based on its criteria and standards. The registered manager worked collaboratively with external partner agencies for the benefit of those using the service, and continually sought to develop their skills and knowledge. Professionals involved with people at the home spoke positively about the service, and its commitment to achieving the best outcomes for people through partnership working.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 29 September 2019).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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 COVID-19 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.