A RESIDENTIAL care home in Barrow has received an official rating of 'good' after a Care Quality Commission Inspection.

Abbotsfield Residential Care Home, on Abbey Road, underwent the unannounced inspection on May 14, 2022.

It was carried out by one CQC inspector and one expert by experience (somebody with personal experience of the relevant type of care service).

The CQC scores one of four ratings - Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, and Inadequate.

Abbotsfield Care Home, which houses up to 26 residents, received a good rating overall and in all five of the inspection criteria - safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The CQC recorded: "People who lived in the home were living with dementia and were not easily able to share their views with us. 

"They spoke with six residents and observed how staff interacted with people."

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The team also spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, and with three members of staff, looked around the accommodation, and reviewed a range of records, including three people's care records and multiple medication records. 

They looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and training, records relating to the management of the service and contacted seven people's relatives and two staff to gather their views.

The inspectors observed how the home helped residents maintain a good diet: "People enjoyed a varied diet which met their needs and supported them to maintain good health. 

"One person told us: 'You couldn't fault the food here, it is excellent.'

"A relative told us: '(Relative) is being looked after really well and since living there they have put on weight.'

"People received the support they needed to eat and drink. 

"Staff discreetly observed people and noticed if they were not enjoying or eating the meals provided.

"They offered people a range of alternatives and encouraged people to eat and drink enough to maintain good health."

The report also described how residents were kept socially active.

"People enjoyed a range of activities in the home," it said.

"Relatives told us the range of activities promoted a good quality of life for people. 

"One relative told us: '(Relative) is socialising well and having fun there which is wonderful.'

"Another relative said, 'Activities have included singers, such as an Elvis impersonator, which (relative) really enjoyed. (Relative) was singing along to the songs.'

"At the time of our inspection people were preparing for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. 

"They were growing cress for egg and cress sandwiches for their Jubilee party and writing letters and cards offering congratulations to the Queen."

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