Astley Grange

Updated 24 March 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 10 March and was announced.

Updated 24 March 2021

Astley Grange provides nursing care for up to 30 adults with a range of complexity of physical and mental health needs. The provider is Astley Grange Care Homes Ltd. The home is situated on a busy main road into Bolton, which is close to shops and other local amenities. Car parking is available at the front of the home. There were 26 people accommodated at the home on the day of the inspection.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The manager was first registered in April 2018.

At the last inspection of November 2017, the service was rated as requires improvement for four breaches in the regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations. Regulation 12 (2) (d) for a lack of staff training in fire procedures and exposed hot water pipes. Regulation 12 (2) (g) for unsafe medicines administration, Regulation 13 for not reporting a safeguarding incident. Regulation 15 some areas of the home needed cleaning and of Regulation 18 (1) for not having sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. The service sent us an action plan to show us how they would improve. At this inspection the service had improved and there were no breaches.

The service used the local authority safeguarding procedures to report any safeguarding concerns. Staff had been trained in safeguarding topics and were aware of their responsibilities to report any possible abuse.

Recruitment procedures were robust and ensured new staff were safe to work with vulnerable adults. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs.

The administration of medicines was safe. Staff had been trained in the administration of medicines and had up to date policies and procedures to follow.

The home was clean, tidy and homely in character.

Electrical and gas appliances were serviced regularly. Each person had a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) and there was a business contingency plan for any unforeseen emergencies.

There were systems in place to prevent the spread of infection. Staff were trained in infection control and provided with the necessary equipment and hand washing facilities. This helped to protect the health and welfare of staff and people who used the service.

People were given choices in the food they ate and told us it was good. People were encouraged to eat and drink to ensure they were hydrated and well nourished.

Staff had been trained in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities of how to apply for any best interest decisions under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and followed the correct procedures using independent professionals.

New staff received induction training to provide them with the skills to care for people. Staff files and the training matrix showed staff had undertaken sufficient training to meet the needs of people and they were supervised regularly to check their competence. Supervision sessions also gave staff the opportunity to discuss their work related issues and ask for any training they felt necessary.

We observed there were good interactions between staff and people who used the service. People told us staff were kind and caring.

We saw from our observations of staff and records that people who used the service were given choices in many aspects of their lives and helped to remain independent where possible.

We saw that the quality of care plans gave staff sufficient information to look after people accommodated at the care home and they were regularly reviewed.

There were sufficient activities to help keep people stimulated which would be further improved when the new activities coordinator commenced work.

People were treated in accordance to their age, gender, sexuality and religion.

Plans of care were individual, person centred and reviewed regularly to help meet their health and social care needs.

Visiting was unrestricted so that people could remain in contact with family and friends.

Audits, surveys and key worker sessions helped the service maintain and improve their standards of support.

People thought the registered manager was approachable and supportive.