Abbeyfield Residential Care Home - The Grove

Updated 9 December 2024

Date of Assessment: 21 January to 28 January 2025. This assessment was carried out in response to information received about the service relating to care and treatment, staffing and the management of the service. We found evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. We assessed a number of quality statements from key questions. We found 3 breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 in relation to safe care and treatment, staffing and good governance. We have combined the scores for these areas with scores from the last inspection to give the rating for this assessment. The service has been rated requires improvement following this assessment. The service is a residential care home providing support to 32 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of inspection there were 21 people currently living at the service. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of service provided and identify improvements. Whilst the provider carried out audits and checks; these had not identified the shortfalls we had found during this inspection. As required by their registration the provider had not submitted the necessary notifications to CQC following significant events at the home, such as safeguarding matters and serious injuries. The provider did not always make sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff. They did not always make sure staff received effective support, supervision and development. Staff we spoke with did not always feel supported by management. At the time of the inspection, the provider was engaged in a programme of improvements relating to employment conditions and working practices within the organisation. This programme had already identified some key issues at the home, which were being addressed through changes in the management team. Medicines were not managed safely. The service did not always ensure medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs and preferences. Whilst risks to people’s personal safety had been assessed care plans did not always record the care needed to minimise these risks. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

Updated 9 December 2024

People we spoke with, and relatives spoke positively about the service. Whilst people and relatives spoke positively about the care received, they did feedback about the use of agency staff and the difficulties with communication and understanding. Comments included, “There are always enough staff, and they look after me very well” and “There’s been an increase in agency, who are not familiar faces, and they don’t know mum well.”

People and their relatives knew how to make a complaint. People and their family members had the opportunity to feedback their views on the way the service was run through meetings and surveys. Comments included, “I would talk to the manager first and if I needed to take it further. Mum knows who staff are and can identify management/senior staff.”

People and their relatives were invited to share their views of the service. Residents and relatives’ meetings were held periodically throughout the year. These meetings gave people and their relatives the opportunity to express their views about the service and to discuss any concerns they may have and make suggestions for improving the service.

We observed staff showing concern for people’s wellbeing in a caring manner. Staff responded to people’s requests for assistance and support in a timely manner.