Background to this inspection
Updated
19 May 2022
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
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 one 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
Abbeyfield – The Grove is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Abbeyfield – The Grove is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
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. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
During the inspection we reviewed records and made observations around the home. We spoke to one person who used the service, the nominated individual, registered manager, activities coordinator, office assistant, deputy manager and two members of care staff. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.
After the inspection
After the inspection we spoke to seven people who use the service and four relatives via telephone. We sought feedback from visiting professionals. We reviewed additional documents relating to staffing levels, infection control and staff training.
Updated
19 May 2022
About the service
Abbeyfield – The Grove is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 32 people. At the time of our inspection there were 30 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Staff were recruited safely, trained appropriately and demonstrated good infection prevention and control practises. People said there were enough staff on duty and observations during the inspection supported this, however documentation did not show how staffing was calculated. We have made a recommendation about this.
Staff learnt from incidents and worked to continuously improve the service however this was not always well documented. We have made a recommendation about this.
People felt safe with the care staff. The provider had policies and procedures for dealing with safeguarding and whistle blowing concerns. Staff knew how to raise concerns and told us they would do so if needed.
Infection control had improved since our last inspection. Visiting was managed safely, staff wore appropriate PPE and additional cleaning was being undertaken.
Medicines management had improved since our last inspection. Staff competencies were regularly assessed. Robust documentation was in place for ‘as and when required’ medication. Some people administered their own medicines and were supported to do so by the service.
The service was managed well. People, relatives and visiting professionals all said that the management team were approachable and dealt with issues quickly.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 16 September 2021).
The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
At our last inspection we recommended that the provider reviewed the processes in place to calculate the number of staff required to support people safely. At this inspection we found that some improvement had been made. Further improvement is still required in this area.
Why we inspected
We carried out an unannounced focussed inspection of this service on 16 February 21. Breaches of legal requirements were found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve safe care and treatment, and good governance.
We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the key questions Safe and Well-led which contain those requirements.
For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. 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 Abbeyfield – The Grove 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 COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.