Abney Low Nursing home

We assessed all quality statements in the safe key question and found areas of good practice. The assessment of this key question found improved practice since the last inspection, our rating for this key question has improved to good.

Lessons were learned from safety incidents and shared with staff to help improve practice. Incidents were appropriately investigated and reported. People were protected from the risk of abuse and harm. Risks to people were assessed, mitigated and managed by staff who understood them.

The service provided a safe and hygienic environment for people to live.

Staff were recruited safely. There were appropriate staffing levels and skill mix to ensure people received safe, good quality care that met their needs.

People’s medicines were managed in a safe way. People’s behaviour was not inappropriately controlled by medicines. There were appropriate arrangements for the safe management, use and oversight of controlled drugs.

We assessed all quality statements in the effective key question and found areas of good practice. The assessment of this key question found improved practice since the last inspection, our rating for this key question has improved to good.

People were involved in the assessment of their needs. People’s care was planned with their involvement, in line with best practice guidelines.

People were supported to maintain their nutrition and hydration needs and had choice over what they ate and drank.

Staff worked effectively with outside agencies to help meet people’s individual needs and support them to live healthier lives. People’s care was regularly monitored to help lead to good outcomes.

People’s rights around their consent to care and treatment were respected and aligned with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act.

We assessed all quality statements in the caring key question and found areas of good practice. The assessment of this key question found improved practice since the last inspection, our rating for this key question has improved to good.

People told us and we observed people being treated by staff with care, compassion and in a way which respected both their independence and privacy.

People’s protected characteristics were respected and not viewed as a barrier to the care and treatment they required.

Staff told us they enjoyed their jobs and felt supported in their role by the provider.

We assessed all quality statements in the responsive key question and found areas of good practice. The assessment of this key question found improved practice since the last inspection, our rating for this key question has improved to good.

People’s care plans demonstrated people were at the centre of their care and support. People’s needs were understood by staff and people were supported to access external care provision to help ensure good continuity of care.

Information was provided to people in a way in which they understood, and in line with the Accessible information standard. People were supported to provide feedback about their care and support; to help ensure they were fully involved about decisions regarding their support.

People were supported to make informed decisions about their future, including end-of-life care.

We assessed all quality statements in the well-led key question and found areas of good practice. The assessment of this key question found improved practice since the last inspection, our rating for this key question has improved to good.

The service promoted a culture of learning and improvement, to help further improve standards in the safety and quality of the care being provided. Leaders were capable, transparent and compassionate and were well thought of by people and staff alike.

Clear responsibilities and governance processes were in place to help identify current areas of risk and drive-up improvements. Policies and practices were in place to ensure the voices of staff were heard, helping to ensure input from staff was valued and acted on.

The service worked in collaboration with external health care providers to share learning and help improve the quality of people’s experiences.

The service was aware of potential impact of their activities on the environment and were making a positive contribution to help reduce it. There had been a significant reduction in the use of paper by the introduction of electronic records.