Ashmeade Residential Home

Updated 19 February 2021

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 the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 16 January 2021 and was announced.

Updated 19 February 2021

We carried out an unannounced inspection of Ashmeade Residential Home on 27 and 29 March 2018. The service is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided and we looked at both during this inspection. Ashmeade Residential Home provides accommodation and personal care in single and shared rooms for up to 18 people. Nursing care is not provided. At the time of our inspection 17 people were living at the home.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

During this inspection we have made a recommendation about the management of people’s medicines. We found that one person’s allergies had not been recorded on the Medication Administration Record (MAR) and one person’s liquid medication had not been dated upon opening. The registered manager took action during the inspection to address these issues.

Records showed that staff had been recruited safely and the staff we spoke with were aware of how to safeguard adults at risk. People and their relatives told us there were always enough staff available to meet their needs.

People and their relatives told us the staff who supported them were kind and caring. They told us staff provided them with support when they needed it.

People told us staff respected their right to privacy and dignity and encouraged them to be as independent as they could be. We observed this during the inspection.

Staff received an effective induction and appropriate training. People who lived at the home and their relatives felt that staff had the knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs.

People received appropriate support with eating and drinking and their healthcare needs were met. Appropriate referrals were made to community health and social care professionals, to ensure that people’s needs were met.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way; the policies and systems at the service supported this practice. Where people lacked the capacity to make decisions about their care, the service had taken appropriate action in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People told us that they received care that reflected their needs, risks and preferences and we found evidence of this. Where appropriate, relatives had been consulted about people’s care and were updated regularly by staff.

Records showed that people were supported regularly to take part in a variety of activities in the home. People living at the home and their relatives told us they were very happy with the activities available.

Staff communicated effectively with people. They supported people sensitively and did not rush them when providing care. People’s communication needs were identified and relevant support was provided, such as information in large print and braille.

The service had a registered manager in post. Relatives and staff were happy with how the service was being managed. They found the registered manager approachable and supportive. They told us any concerns were resolved quickly.

A variety of audits of quality and safety were completed by the registered manager regularly. We found the audits completed were effective in ensuring that appropriate levels of quality and safety were maintained at the service.

The registered manager regularly sought feedback from people living at the home and their relatives through residents meetings and satisfaction surveys. A high level of satisfaction had been expressed by people living at the home and their relatives, about most aspects of the care and support provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.