Nower House, a 24-bed care home run by Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society Limited, received a Good rating across all five key questions at its first inspection under the new provider in November 2022. The service demonstrated a strong cultural turnaround from a previous Inadequate rating, with person-centred care, robust governance, safe medicines management, and an open, inclusive leadership style.
Strengths
· People felt safe and staff were knowledgeable in reporting safeguarding concerns, with appropriate reporting to the local authority safeguarding team.
· Detailed, personalised risk assessments were embedded in care plans and regularly reviewed.
· Sufficient staffing levels with safe recruitment processes including DBS checks and employment gap investigations.
· Medicines managed safely with regular competency checks and audits; gaps in MAR charts investigated promptly.
· Robust infection prevention and control practices with effective PPE use.
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
effective: Adapting service, design, decoration to meet people's needsGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships to avoid social isolationGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candour; working in partnership; continuous learningGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood