Ashfield Nursing Home

Updated 19 February 2022

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. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by two inspectors on the day of inspection and an Expert by Experience made telephone contact with families after the inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Ashfield Nursing Home 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 registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection

The inspection site visit activity took place on 24 November 2021 and was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

Due to technical problems, the provider was not able to complete a Provider Information Return. 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.

During the inspection

We spoke to four people and twelve relatives. We observed the environment of the home and the interaction between people and the staff. We spoke with eight members of staff including, the registered manager, administrator, senior care worker, care workers and housekeeping staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included eight people's care records and nine medication records. We looked at staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at medication administration records, training data, audits of the service, policies and procedures. We also requested the registered manager to complete a refurbishment audit of the home. This was to identify their findings and provide a plan to address issues and concerns.

Updated 19 February 2022

Ashfield Nursing Home is a nursing home that provides personal and nursing care. The service is registered for 40 people and 39 people were using the service at the time of our inspection.

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

The service was not always safe as the home was not sufficiently cleaned and maintained to a high standard. The provider reacted to issues and concerns, but not in a timely manner. The provider did not ensure that there were good quality and governance processes in place to support improvements to the service.

Risks relating to people’s personal and nursing needs were assessed and managed with detailed risk assessments in place to ensure staff cared for people safely.

People were supported by sufficient and skilled staff. People’s medicines were administered in a safe way. Safety measures and systems were in place to ensure people were kept safe.

Managers and staff had clear understanding of people’s needs. Relationships with other professionals were consistent.

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 10 June 2019).

Why we inspected

We undertook this focused inspection as the local authority raised concerns with regards to the infection control process within the home.

This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe and Well-led which contain those requirements. The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to discharge our regulatory enforcement functions required to keep people safe and to hold providers to account where it is necessary for us to do so.

We have identified two breaches in relation to the premises and equipment and good governance at this inspection.

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. You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.