Background to this inspection
Updated
21 April 2021
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act.
This was a targeted inspection to check on a specific concern we had about safeguarding management and a recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the home.
As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection which included looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.
This inspection took place on 31 March 2021 and was announced.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Ashford House 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 both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager who was going through the process of being registered with the Care Quality Commission. Once registered, this means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the manager, deputy manager, senior care workers, care workers and administration staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included safeguarding action plans, lessons learned documents, accident and incident records and documents relating to infection prevention and control.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at the business continuity plan including COVID-19 pressures and further infection prevention and control documents.
Updated
21 April 2021
About the service
Ashford House is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 54 people with needs associated with dementia. Some people living at the home had other complex medical and care needs. At the time of our inspection 49 people were living at the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe and staff were kind to them. Family members confirmed that people received safe care.
At our previous inspection of Ashford House we identified risks in relation to staffing levels and safe moving and handling of people. At this inspection we found that the registered manager had taken action to ensure that these risks were reduced. The provider recruited staff carefully to ensure that staff were suitable for their role. Staffing numbers were flexible and decided by the home’s evaluation of people’s needs.
At our previous inspection of Ashford House we had found that some staff were using unsafe techniques when supporting people to move. At this inspection we observed that staff followed good practice in moving and handling. All staff had received training in safe practice.
Staff knew what their responsibilities were in relation to keeping people safe. They understood the importance of reporting any concerns they had about people's safety and how to protect them from harm or abuse.
Staff provided people with personalised care that met their needs and preferences. They understood people’s needs and responded promptly and appropriately when they required support.
People's care plans and risk assessments were up to date and personalised. Guidance was provided for staff to ensure people received the care and support they required. Care plans and care records were handwritten and not always easy to read. The provider was piloting an ‘on-line’ system that would improve the accessibility of care records.
Staff were caring and treated people with dignity and respect. People’s differences including cultural, religious and relationship needs and preferences were understood and respected by staff.
People were supported to maintain good health and to eat and drink well. People were supported to access healthcare services when they required.
People’s independence was promoted and supported by staff. Staff recognised and respected people’s abilities. Staff engaged in a friendly way with people and supported them to participate in a range of activities. We observed staff engaging with people in dementia-friendly activities. However, people’s care records did not always reflect the supports that people living with dementia received.
Staff had the skills and knowledge to provide people with the care and support that they needed. They received the training and support that they required to enable them to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively.
People had opportunities to participate in a wide range of social and leisure activities. People were supported to maintain relationships with family and friends.
People were supported to have choice in their daily lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People’s care plans and the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The home was clean and safely maintained. Staff ensured that refurbishment works that were taking place during this inspection did not impact negatively on people’s wellbeing.
The registered manager showed effective leadership and the home was well run. Staff felt supported. Systems were in place to assess and monitor the quality and delivery of care to people and drive improvement. Actions had been taken to ensure that concerns arising from quality monitoring were acted on and addressed.
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. (Report published 12 May 2017).
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up:
We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive. We will inspect in line with our inspection programme or sooner if required.