Ashlyns Care Home

Updated 13 May 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 COVID-19 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 announced inspection took place on 13 April 2021. We also asked the provider to send us infection prevention and control policies and audit findings.

Updated 13 May 2021

Ashlyns care home provides personal care for up to fifty-eight older people and or people who live with Dementia. It does not provide nursing care. At the time of our inspection 54 people were accommodated at the home.

At the last inspection the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained 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 ongoing 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.

People and their relatives told us that they felt people were safe living at Ashlyns. Staff had received training and knew how to keep people safe from harm or abuse. Risks to people were appropriately assessed and measures put in place to help ensure people were kept safe.

The provider operated a robust recruitment process which helped to ensure that staff employed to provide care and support were fit to do so. There were sufficient numbers of staff available, who were well supported and trained to meet individual needs and the service provided was flexible.

Staff sought people's consent to care. The registered manager and staff were aware of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People were assisted to eat and drink sufficient amounts to keep healthy and were supported to access healthcare professionals when required.

People were treated in a kind and caring way by staff who respected their privacy and maintained their dignity. People and family where appropriate were involved in the review and development of peoples care and support plans. People were asked for their views on how the service operated and their views were acted upon.

People received personalised care that met their individual needs. People were encouraged and supported to participate in activities that were of interest to them and to engage in hobbies both at the service and also events that were arranged in the community.

People and their relatives told us they knew how to raise concerns through the complaints process. They said they were confident they would be listened to and that any concerns raised would be appropriately investigated and resolved.

We found that records were well maintained through an online system and provided staff with detailed information about how to support people.

The registered manager had systems in place to obtain feedback from people who used the service, their relatives, and staff to help improve the service people received.

There was an open, transparent and inclusive culture at the service. People who used the service, their relatives, staff and commissioners all gave positive feedback about the service and how it was managed and operated.

The registered manager had a range of systems and processes in place to monitor the quality of care provided at the service and to make continual improvements.

The environment was well maintained and people’s bedrooms were personalised. The décor was appropriate, in particular for people who lived with Dementia. There was plenty of objects available for people to ‘engage’ with.

Further information is in the details below.