Archived: Abbots Lawn

Updated 17 October 2018

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 16 August 2018 and was unannounced. 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. The expert-by experience at this inspection had experience of dementia and elderly care.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give key information about the service, what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the PIR and other information we held about the service including previous inspection reports. This included statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager about incidents and events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events, which the service is required to send to us by law. We used all this information to decide which areas to focus on during our inspection.

We spoke with people generally during the inspection and six people individually. We also spoke to two visiting family members. Not everyone was able to tell us their experiences of the care and support provided. We spent time observing how people were cared for and their interactions with staff to understand their experience of living in the service. We spoke with three care staff, the registered manager, area manager and a visiting health professional.

We spent time looking at electronic records, including six people’s care and support records, three staff recruitment files and staff training records. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service, such as policies and procedures, accident/incident recording and audit documentation. We reviewed other records, including the registered manager's internal checks and audits, medication administration records (MAR), health and safety maintenance checks, accident and incidents, compliments and complaints, staff training records and staff rotas. Records for three staff were reviewed, which included checks on newly appointed staff and staff supervision records.

The service was last inspected on 26 July 2016 and was awarded the rating of Good.

Updated 17 October 2018

This inspection took place on 16 August 2018 and was unannounced.

Abbots Lawn is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Abbots Lawn accommodates up to 37 people in one adapted building for older people, people living with a physical disability, sensory impairment and some people living with dementia. At the time of inspection, there were 34 people living at the service.

The home is situated in Bognor Regis, West Sussex and accommodation was provided over two floors. There were assisted bathrooms on each floor, a dining room and two lounge areas on the ground floor.

At our last inspection on 26 July 2016 we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The manager registered with the Care Quality Commission in November 2011. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

The service continued to have robust safeguarding systems, policies and procedures to protect people from abuse. Local safeguarding procedures were followed to respond to safeguarding concerns promptly.

Risks to people continued to be assessed to keep people safe. There were sufficient numbers of staff to support people and meet their needs safely. A relative told us, “I feel they have the ability to care for him as I want 24/7.”

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

People’s care, treatment and support continued to be delivered to a high standard and in line with current legislation. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and had access to healthcare services when needed. One person told us, “the food is good and if you don’t feel well they will get the doctor to look at you.”

People continued to be treated with kindness, respect and compassion. We observed people being actively involved in making decisions about their care, as far as possible, such as; choice over food and drinks, participating in activities and personal care.

People continued to receive excellent person-centred care and were involved in developing their care plans. People felt confident to raise a complaint and speak to the registered manager if needed. One person told us, “The manager is approachable and would sort it out.”

Abbots Lawn continued to promote a positive culture that was person-centred, open, inclusive and empowered people to live healthy active lives.

The registered manager and provider actively involved staff in opportunities to continuously learn and improve the quality of the service, taking on board feedback from people and relatives. Innovative ideas were being developed such as a sensory garden and a shop in the garden where people and family members can volunteer.