Last updated: 9 February 2026
"Staff praised supportive managers and felt like one big family, but medicines records and safety checks like fire risks need improvement."
We found shortfalls in the completion of medicine records. Staff were not following safe practices supporting people to take their medicines before they signed the medicine administration record (MAR). A fire risk assessment had not been reviewed and updated.
Staff were positive about their work. One said, 'I love it. The best bit is meeting all the people.' Ancillary staff said, 'it is a lovely place to work... It is like one big family.'
Staffing levels were consistently maintained. People were positive about staffing levels and said staff were patient and unrushed in the way they supported them.
Staff were trained. A healthcare professional told us, 'Very impressed with the training and happy with the care they provide'. Staff confirmed they had completed training in a range of topics.
The registered manager was a visible presence at Abbeygate Retirement Home. Staff praised the support they received from managers.
There was a full programme of activities daily... People told us they particularly liked games... trips to local shops and cafes... visited the local parent and toddler group and children regularly visited.
Medication records have gaps and errors, like signing before giving meds and missing details on stock.
We found shortfalls in the completion of medicine records. Staff were not following safe practices supporting people to take their medicines before they signed the medicine administration record (MAR). Records did not always contain full and accurate prescribing instructions; medicine stock records were not consistently recorded.
Some safety checks for things like fire risks and water bacteria testing aren't fully up to date.
Risks to people within the environment were not always appropriately assessed or controlled. Improvements were needed to address legionella testing... A fire risk assessment had been completed but had not been reviewed and updated.
Staffing is usually fine but mornings get busy so people sometimes have to wait for help.
One said, 'We sometimes have to wait in a morning (to get up) but we know they are busy. They are good lasses.'
AI Generated
Last inspected: October 2019
Management Quality
Well-led: Good
Direct feedback from current and former employees

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