Asana Lodge

Updated 28 February 2024

Asana Lodge opened in June 2020 and is a 22 bedded residential drug and/or alcohol medically monitored, detoxification and rehabilitation facility based in Yardley Gobion, Towcester. The service provides care and treatment for male and female clients. Asana Lodge provides ongoing abstinence-based treatment, which is based on cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy alongside 12-step treatment.

The service was first inspected in May 2021 in response to serious concerns we had about client’s safety. This inspection was not rated. However, we took urgent action and imposed conditions on their registration. We asked the provider to make significant improvements to the service. The provider submitted an action plan and based on evidence submitted by the provider the conditions were met in full. The conditions were subsequently removed in August 2021.

In February 2023, we undertook an unannounced routine inspection of the service. We took urgent action and imposed conditions on their registration and asked the provider to make significant improvements to the service. This included 13 actions (requirement notices) that the provider must take to comply with its legal obligations.

We inspected this service in response to receipt of a whistleblowing concern, and to review the provider’s compliance against conditions which were currently in place.

Following this inspection, we issued the service with a warning notice served under Section 29 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. We found that the service was failing to comply with Regulation 17 Good governance. We found the service had failed to operate effective systems or processes to ensure the compliance with requirements of regulation17.

What people who use the service say

• Clients we spoke with told us they liked all staff, and that staff were helpful. One client described staff as being “pretty laid back” and told us that recent agency staff were much better than they had been during a previous admission. Another client described staff as being “fantastic” and that they had a good rapport with staff.

• One client told us a couple of clients had complained about the standard of food the previous evening. The client told us “They are showing off today” when referring to the lunchtime meal provided. Another client told us the food was generally ok, but there hadn’t been a chef for a couple of days adding that staff had “made do”.

• We were told by clients there was a “lot of flexibility” adding they were able to go out to external meetings such as alcoholics anonymous.

Updated 28 February 2024

Asana Lodge opened in June 2020 and is a 22 bedded residential drug and/or alcohol medically monitored, detoxification and rehabilitation facility based in Yardley Gobion, Towcester. The service provides care and treatment for male and female clients. Asana Lodge provides ongoing abstinence-based treatment, which is based on cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy alongside 12-step treatment.

Our rating of this location improved. We rated it as requires improvement because:

• Staff did not have access to Naloxone (Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of opioids).

• The service did not have access to an emergency bag or emergency drugs, as outlined in the provider’s policy to meet client need.

• Staff did not always complete physical health checks of clients withdrawing from alcohol dependency at the frequency set out in the doctor’s instructions.

• The service was unable to evidence that clinical equipment had been replaced or calibrated within the last 6 months.

• The service continued to not always have immediate access to medical summaries from the patient’s GP.

• There was not enough permanent staff to meet the needs of the clients, however the service had covered vacancies with the use of agency staff. This led to high usage of bank and agency staff.

• Staff could not observe clients in all areas of the service.

• The service did not have robust systems and processes around the usage of CCTV. This included signage and audits of its usage.

• The current mandatory training rate for mental capacity was 62%, fire marshal training 52%, and medicines management (for the electronic health record) was 67%.

• Client’s care plans were not personalised, holistic or recovery oriented. Staff did not fully involve clients in care planning or gave clients copies of their care plans.

• Staff had not received supervision during the 8 weeks prior to our inspection.

• Managers had not ensured that all staff had received specialist training for their role.

• There was a lack of governance systems and processes within the unit.

However:

• The service adhered to health and safety requirements. Fire risk assessments and the health and safety folders were up to date. All maintenance requests had been actioned.

• All areas were clean, well maintained, well-furnished and fit for purpose.

• Staff checked, maintained, and cleaned equipment. Staff checked the defibrillator each week. The service had a range of appropriate rooms to meet clients.

• Clients received a comprehensive assessment in a timely manner which included a physical health assessment. All clients had received a face-to-face assessment.

• Staff were able to identify signs of deteriorating mental health.

• Risk management plans were discussed upon first assessment and regularly reviewed thereafter.

• Staff received training on how to recognise and report abuse, appropriate for their role.

• Staff completed a comprehensive mental health assessment of each client on admission.

• Staff were discreet, respectful, and responsive when caring for clients.

• Staff introduced clients to the service and the services as part of their admission.

• Clients could make their own hot drinks and snacks and were not dependent on staff

Updated 28 February 2024