Ashfield

Updated 8 February 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Ashfield is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Ashfield is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a not a registered manager in post. A new manager had been employed to start in January 2023 with a view to applying to register with us.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We looked at the information we had received from and about this service.

The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used information we had about the service to help plan the inspection and inform our judgements. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with nine people who lived at the home and two relatives. We also spoke with seven members of staff, including team leaders, care workers, domestic staff and cook. Throughout the day we were able to observe interactions between people and staff in the communal areas of the home. The interim manager was available on the second day of the inspection. We looked at a sample of records relating to people's individual care and the running of the home. These included medication administration records, health and safety records, three staff recruitment files and three care plans.

Updated 8 February 2023

About the service

Ashfield is registered to provide accommodation and personal care to up to 25 people. The home specialises in the care of older people. At the time of this inspection there were 13 people living at the home.

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

People were happy with the care they received and complimentary about the staff who supported them.

There had been extensive refurbishment and decoration of all areas of the premises including new carpets and fresh paintwork and ongoing maintenance of the front and back garden spaces. This gave it a homely feel for people who had also helped decorate the home for Christmas.

People felt safe at the home and looked relaxed and comfortable in their environment.

People received their medicines safely from staff who had received specific training to carry out the task.

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.

People were able to follow their own routines and make decisions about their day to day care and support. Care was personalised to each individual and staff respected people's choices.

People's privacy and dignity were promoted. Each person had a single room where they could see visitors or spend time in private.

There were enough staff to support people with their physical and leisure needs. A wellbeing co-ordinator worked together with care staff to enable people to go out and to participate in activities they enjoyed as a group and individually with staff.

Staff worked with healthcare professionals to make sure people received care and treatment which met their individual needs.

The provider had systems in place which monitored standards of care within the home. This included audits, meetings and satisfaction surveys. This helped to make sure ongoing improvements were implemented.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was Good, published on 28 January 2021.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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 will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.