Abbeydale Nursing Home

“The environment was clean, well maintained and noticeably improved following recent refurbishment work. There were still some refurbishment needed, however these were being actioned. People appeared settled and comfortable , and we observed calm, relaxed interactions between staff and people. Staff were present in communal areas, provided unhurried support and demonstrated good knowledge of people’s needs, preferences and routines.”

“People told us they felt safe living at the home. Recruitment procedures reviewed contained the required checks, including DBS, references and full work histories.”

“Medicines were managed safely, with accurate stock balances and appropriate recording, although we identified a small number of areas where additional clarity in PRN protocols and care plan cross‑referencing would improve accessibility and reduce reliance on staff memory.”

“People told us they enjoyed the food, describing it as “nice,” “quite good,” and “three great meals every day,” though some relatives told us they felt meals could have more variety and choice. We raised this with the provider during our visit.”

“Observations showed staff supporting people at a comfortable pace and offering alternatives if the main meal was not preferred. The kitchen was clean and well stocked, and audits showed strong compliance across food safety checks.”

“The service worked well with external professionals. The home held regular multidisciplinary meetings and acted quickly when concerns were raised, including making referrals for swallowing assessments and dietetic input. Weight monitoring was in place and appropriate action had been taken for people at risk of weight loss, including 1:1 support and follow‑up with dietitians.”

“Most care plans contained detailed monitoring information; however, we found some that needed updating to reflect current risks, clinical instructions or best‑interest decisions. Records relating to nutrition, supplements, repositioning and catheter management were not always completed consistently. These gaps increased the risk of care needs not being fully monitored or trends not being identified promptly. The manager acknowledged these issues and began addressing them during the inspection.”

“Leadership at the service was strong. The registered manager was visible, experienced and repeatedly praised by people, staff and relatives. Staff described feeling supported and able to raise concerns. Audits were completed regularly and demonstrated a commitment to learning and improvement, with clear evidence that previous issues such as laundry and documentation had improved over time.”