Archived: Ashbrook Neuro Rehabilitation

Updated 15 September 2018

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, to look at the overall quality of the service and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was an unannounced inspection which took place on 28 and 29 August 2018. The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. This included the statutory notifications the CQC had received from the provider. Notifications are changes, events or incidents that the provider is legally obliged to send to us without delay.

During our inspection we spoke with the manager, the team leader, a registered nurse, a rehabilitation coach, two people who lived at the service, two relatives and a visiting healthcare professional. We looked at the environment and checked on the condition of the communal areas, toilets and bathrooms, kitchens and laundry. We also looked in three peoples’ suites. These were each made up of a large bedroom/living space and a bathroom.

As part of the inspection we reviewed the care records of three people living at the home. The records included their care plans and risk assessments. We reviewed other information about the service, including training and supervision records, three staff personnel files, medicine administration records, audits, meeting minutes and maintenance and servicing records.

Updated 15 September 2018

Ashbrook Neuro Rehabilitation is a single storey detached building situated in a residential area of Rochdale. The unit is registered to provide care and support for up to seven adults with an acquired brain injury. The building has been adapted to provide seven private suites. Each have a bathroom, bedroom/ lounge, kitchenette and a private or shared garden area. The service also has a communal living area and therapy rooms.

Our last inspection of the service was in September 2015. At that inspection we rated the service good overall. 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.

The service had a new manager who was in the process of registering with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). He showed enthusiasm and commitment to developing the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

There were systems in place to help safeguard people from abuse. Recruitment checks had been carried out to ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

The unit was clean and well-maintained. People had appropriate equipment in place and this had been serviced and regularly checked to ensure it was safe to use and functioning correctly. There were effective infection control and prevention measures within the service. The administration and management of medicines was carried out safely.

People were supported through their rehabilitation by a team of staff made up of registered nurses, rehabilitation coaches (support workers), therapists (physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy), therapy assistants and a visiting neuropsychologist. There were sufficient staff to support people appropriately.

New staff were provided with an induction programme. Staff received training in a range of topics, including safeguarding, infection control, health and safety, fire safety, mental capacity and consent, first aid and moving and handling. We found some people’s refresher training was slightly out of date. The manager has arranged for this to be completed. The majority of staff had received supervision. However, we noted the registered nurses had not received supervision this year. We have been assured this will take place in the next few weeks and we have asked for evidence to show it has been completed.

The service worked within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. People were supported to make choices, such as what they would like to eat and wear and what they would like to do. Staff sought consent before assisting people. People/relatives we spoke with were complimentary about the care and support provided at the service.

People chose what food they would like to eat, and where able, were encouraged and helped to cook their meals.

People’s care records were detailed and person-centred. They provided staff with sufficient information to guide them on how people should be helped in their rehabilitation. Staff supported and encouraged people to be as independent as possible within their capability.

The service had a process for handling complaints and concerns. There had not been any recent complaints.