Archived: Ardath

Updated 1 April 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 COVID-19 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 1 April 2021

About the service

Ardath is a residential care home providing personal care to 25 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. Accommodation was provided in one adapted building. The service can support up to 32 people. People living at the home had a range of needs. Some people required assistance with daily living due to physical frailty and health needs, such as diabetes. Some people were living with the early stages of dementia.

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

People received support from staff who knew them well as individuals. They understood their needs and were kind and caring. People’s care and support needs were assessed and reviewed regularly. This meant people received care that was person-centred and reflected their needs and choices.

People were supported to maintain their own interests and friendships. Some people went out independently. People were able to take part in a variety of individual and group activities that were meaningful, and they enjoyed. These included quizzes and music and movement. External entertainers also visited the home.

People were protected from the risks of harm, abuse or discrimination because staff knew what actions to take if they identified concerns. The home was clean and tidy throughout. There were enough staff working to provide the support people needed, at times of their choice. Recruitment procedures ensured only suitable staff worked at the service.

Staff understood the risks associated with the people they supported. Risk assessments provided further guidance for staff about individual and environmental risks. People were supported to receive their medicines when they needed them.

Staff received training that helped them to deliver the care and support people needed. This included specialist training to meet people’s complex needs. They attended regular supervision meetings and told us they were very well supported by the registered manager. A staff member told us, “Yes I feel supported by the management and we are all good at supporting each other.”

People’s health and well-being needs were met. Where appropriate, staff supported people to attend health appointments, such as the GP or dentist and attended appointments for specialist advice and support when needed. People's nutritional needs were assessed. They were supported to eat a wide range of healthy, freshly cooked meals, drinks and snacks each day.

People had the equipment they needed to meet their individual needs. The provider had embraced new developments in technology and an electronic care planning system was being introduced.

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.

The provider and registered manager had good oversight of the service. They knew staff and people well and provided a supportive environment to live and work. There were a series of audits which helped the provider and registered manager to identify where improvements were needed to continue to develop the service. There was a detailed complaint procedure, and this was displayed so anyone wanting to raise a concern could do so.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 9 December 2016).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.