Ashefields Residential Care Home

Updated 10 February 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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had 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 27 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 notice of the inspection.

Updated 10 February 2022

About the service

Ashfields Residential Care Home provides personal care for up to 20 people aged 65 and over. People who used the service had physical health needs and/or were living with dementia. At the time of our inspection, 19 people were using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Systems and processes were in place to protect people from harm and abuse. Staff had received training and understood their responsibilities to report any incidents to the registered manager. The registered manager reported allegations of abuse to the relevant safeguarding authorities and to CQC. At the time of the inspection there was no ongoing investigations.

Risk assessments had been completed to enable people to be as independent as possible while remaining safe. Where risks had been identified staff had the knowledge and skills to minimise the risk of harm. Specific risks in relation to mobility, nutrition and pressure area care were detailed and reviewed monthly. Care plans described the support people needed to maintain their mental and physical health. Changes to people’s needs were quickly identified and amendments were made to reflect their up to date care.

Recruitment and selection of staff continues to be robust. This helped the registered manager make sound decisions when employing new staff. Staff had received training to enable them to meet the needs of people. There was enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs and keep them safe.

People received their medicines as prescribed. Staff were responsible to ensure the correct procedures were followed. Regular audits were carried out so that any error was picked up quickly. People had access to a wide range of health and social care professionals. People living well with dementia had their mental health monitored by consultants and community psychiatric nurses.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Mealtimes were relaxed, staff offered appropriate assistance where needed. People who were identified at risk of becoming malnourished were provided with additional support and were monitored closely by the staff.

The environment was clean and tidy and was suitable for people living well with dementia. There was clear signage around the service and people personalised their bedrooms with things to make them feel at home.

Relatives and people we spoke with were happy with the care provided which was dignified and they told us staff were very respectful. Relative said they were aware of the complaints procedure but had no complaints. They told us the registered manager and staff provided an excellent service.

Staff knew people very well and they were able to tell us how people communicated their wishes when they could not express them verbally. People had access to a range of activities including entertainment from in the community. For example, pat dogs which were popular.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 2 February 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Ashefields Residential Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.