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Inspection on 15/01/10 for The Abbey

Also see our care home review for The Abbey for more information

This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 15th January 2010.

it is an annual review prepared by CQC after examining previous reports and information from the provider. At the time of this report, CQC judged the service to be Good.

The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

What follows are excerpts from this inspection report. For more information read the full report on the next tab.

Annual service review Name of Service: The Abbey The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service 0 6 1 1 2 0 0 7 A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.   Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?   No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Ray Mowat Date of this annual service review: 0 4 1 2 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service Address of service: Main Street Staveley Kendal Cumbria LA8 9LU 01539821342 01539822837 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:   www.cumbriacare.org.uk Cumbria Care Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : dementia old age, not falling within any other category physical disability Conditions of registration: Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 30 0 1 0 30 0 The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home only - Code PC. To service users of the following gender: Either. Whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Old age, not falling within any other category - Code OP, Dementia - Code DE, Physical disability Code PD (maximum places - 1). The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 30. Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the Yes service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: An acting manager was appointed, Emma Lowden, to cover for the short absence of the Registered Manager Ann Dent. 0 6 1 1 2 0 0 7 Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 The Abbey is a residential home for older people situated in the centre of Staveley village near to Kendal. The home is owned by Cumbria Care and is managed by Mrs. Ann Dent. The Abbey is registered to provide care and support for thirty older people aged over 65 years including 10 who have dementia. The home is a large Victorian building that was fully refurbished approximately six years ago. The living accommodation is on two floors with a passenger lift servicing the upper floor. The bedrooms vary in size and are currently used for single occupancy although there are two bedrooms that can be used for two people sharing. The homes living space has been divided into three units, each of which contain a living room and kitchen / dining area and there are other sitting rooms for service users and their visitors to use if they wish. A wing has been adapted to provide up to four people with short-term intermediate care following a stay in hospital. The home has established firm links with the people in the village and its residents are regarded as part of the local community. The fees charged at this home vary according to individual needs assessments, with extra charges for hairdressing, newspapers, magazines, personal toiletries hairdressing, private chiropody and some outings. Information about the home is contained in a service user guide, which is available in the home along with previous inspection reports. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 7 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review: What did we do for this annual service review? We assessed all the information we have relating to the service. This included: The annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) was completed and returned to us by the acting manager Emma Lowden. The AQAA is a self-assessment that focuses on how well outcomes are being met for people living in the home. It also gave us some numerical information about the people who live in the home and the staff that work there. We also sent out surveys to gain feedback from people living there, the staff who work there and other people with an interest in the home, such as social workers and health professionals. We looked at information we have about how the home has managed any concerns, complaints or adult protection referrals and any other significant events. We also look at the previous key inspection report and the results of any other visits that we have made to the home in the last 12 months. Relevant information from other organisations and what other people have told us about the home is also taken into account. What has this told us about the service? The home sent us their annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. This was completed by the acting manager, however the Registered Manager Mrs Ann Dent has now returned to the home to resume her role after short absence. The AQAA gave us all the information we asked for to enable us to make our judgement that the home is still providing a good service and that they are aware of further improvements they may need to make. The AQAA described how the home is continuing to consult with the people who live there through regular resident meetings and using annual quality surveys with the people living there, their families, friends and other professionals in contact with the home. This is in addition to more informal consultation with people on a day to day basis. Changes that have occurred or are planned as a result of such consultation include changes to menus and plans to arrange more activities and trips out. Recent challenges that were recorded as being a barrier to improvement were the absence of the Registered Manager, a high number of staff vacancies and a shortage of administrative support. These issues were addressed with the appointment of an acting manager, eight new staff being recruited and regular administrative support being provided. It was recorded that people who have chosen to move in to the home have found the admission process very helpfull. Staff have completed person centred planning training, which is helping them to record relevant information about individual needs and preferences. This then guides them in providing a very personalised service. With the introduction of person centred plans people are taking a more active role in contributing to and developing their care plan. This is ensuring it records how people Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 communicate their needs, make decisions about their care and support and make sure it reflects their changing needs. We received surveys from three people who live in the home. When asked what the home does well they made the following comments. Care, attention, food and cleanliness. Most things work well, I enjoy my meals and the company of others. I am happy with everybody and everything. The reassurance given to me and the full support I receive. When asked what the home could do better, there were two responses. Nothing I am happy with the service, and unable to find fault. We also received two survey responses from other professionals who are involved with the home. They talked about the home being a Friendly, clean and warm environment. They also said they enjoy good relationships with staff, who are quick to alert them if any problems or concerns are noted. There were no specific suggestions about what the home could do better. The home has an ongoing commitment to the training and development of staff with evidence of recent training taking place in both core subject areas, as well as more specialist training such as Palliative care. We received four surveys from staff working in the home, which on the whole were very positive about the care and support provided as the following comments reflect. We give a high standard of care and live up to our good name. Work well as a team supporting each other. We get good training and support. We fulfil peoples needs. We give good support to individuals and their carers. However two responses raised the same issues when asked what the home could do better. They said The home ran out of essential supplies such as incontinence pads, gloves and sacks. This should be looked into by the manager to make sure this is an isolated incident and no further shortages occur. In the last year the manager recorded that the home had strengthened links with the local Age Concern branch, who are providing what they call an enriched opportunities programme. This has provided people living in the home the opportunity to take part in art projects and exercise groups. There are also plans in place to introduce more activities including more day trips. Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 There has been one complaint recorded by the home since the last inspection, which was investigated and resolved by the home within twenty eight days. There have been no safeguarding concerns or referrals recorded. Based on this evidence we judge that the home is continuing to provide good outcomes for the people living there. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? The Care Quality Commission will continue to monitor information about this service and will carry out an inspection when required. Annual Service Review Page 6 of 7 Reader Information Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Annual service review CQC General Public 0870 240 7535 (national contact centre) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. The content of which can be found on our website. Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a copy of the findings in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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