Ashurst Residential and Care Home

Updated 17 March 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 17 February 2022 and was unannounced.

Updated 17 March 2022

The inspection took place on the 10 November 2017 and was unannounced. A second day of inspection took place on 11 December 2017, this visit was announced.

Ashurst Residential and Care Home is situated in the centre of Scarborough and provides personal care and accommodation for up to 19 people. The service provides care for older and working age people, some of whom may be living with dementia and some of whom may have a mental health diagnosis. There were 17 people using the service when we visited.

At the last inspection in January 2016, the service was rated Good. At this inspection, we found the service remained Good. There was a manager in post who had registered with CQC. The registered manager and deputy manager assisted throughout the inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Risks to people were monitored and people were protected. The risk of cross infection was reduced through the use of personal protective equipment and improvements made to the laundry facilities and storage of clean linen. Staff had received safeguarding training and demonstrated a good understanding of the processes required to safeguard adults who may be vulnerable from abuse. They were able to explain to us what they would do if they had concerns.

Comprehensive risk assessments were in place which detailed how to reduce the risk of harm to people. Medicines were managed safely. Staff were recruited in a safe manner and there were enough staff on duty to support people safely.

The provider ensured that all staff working at the service were well trained and had the skills necessary to perform their role. Training was up to date and new staff completed a comprehensive induction when they joined the service. Staff were given the opportunity to expand their knowledge in specialist areas such as end of life care and mental health. Staff attended regular supervision meetings with the registered or deputy manager and this monitored their performance.

People were consulted about their care and treatment and we found verbal and signed consent was sought prior to care being delivered. People we spoke with confirmed they felt valued and included and said their opinions mattered. People told us they were asked their views of the service and when changes were suggested these were actioned by the management team.

The management and staff within the service worked within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were empowered to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Policies and systems in the service support this practice.

People consistently told us the staff and the managers were very caring. We saw people's needs were met with dignity and compassion and it was evident that people who used the service had positive relationships with the staff who supported them. Where needed, people were supported to maintain a balanced diet. Community health professionals were involved in devising nutrition and hydration plans for those deemed to be at risk.

Care records were person-centred and contained all relevant information to enable staff to provide personalised care and support. People were involved in the assessment of their needs and were regularly consulted about the care they received. Quality assurance processes were in place and conducted on a regular basis to enable the service to continuously improve.

Further information is contained in the detailed findings below.