Askham Court

Updated 7 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 coronavirus 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 inspection took place on 18 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 7 May 2021

About the service: Askham Court is residential care home that provides accommodation and care, with nursing, for up to 12 adults. People who live at the home have complex physical and mental health needs, mainly because of acquired brain injury. At the time of the inspection there were 11 people living in the home. Askham Court is part of the Askham Village Community, which comprises of four care homes, each catering for a different client group, built around a central courtyard garden. Askham Court is on one floor, with a large lounge/dining area, which has a kitchenette, and all bedrooms are single rooms with an en suite bathroom. There is a shared café opening onto the courtyard, which is open to the general public.

People’s experience of using this service:

• People continued to feel safe living at the service. Risk assessments had been completed to ensure that action was taken to keep people safe. Staffing levels were appropriate to meet people’s needs in a timely manner. People received their medication as prescribed. There were systems in place to record, monitor and learn from accidents and incidents.

• Staff had the knowledge, skills and support they required to meet people’s needs effectively. People’s physical, emotional and social needs were identified so staff could meet these. People received support with eating and drinking when needed. People were supported to maintain good health and were supported by or referred to the relevant healthcare professionals. People consented to their care or when appropriate best interest decisions were taken on their behalf.

• People continued to receive care and support from staff that were kind and caring. People’s privacy and dignity was protected and promoted. Staff knew people well and what made them happy and how to motivate them to work towards re-ablement programmes.

• People received person centred care that met their needs. Care plans were detailed so that staff knew people’s preferences and how people would like to be supported. Activities were provided according to people’s interests and hobbies. People knew who to make a complaint to if needed.

• People, visitors and staff told us the service had strong leadership and an open and supportive culture. The service identified areas for improvement so that people received a good service. One person said that the lead nurse was, “Caring, efficient and sympathetic.”

Rating at last inspection: Good (report published 20 July 2016)

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The service remains Good.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor all information received about the service to ensure the next inspection is scheduled accordingly.