Ashling House

Updated 18 July 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection, we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Ashling House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Ashling House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we already held about the service. This included the last inspection report and notifications. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager, the proprietor of the home and 4 care staff. We carried out observations of people’s support and spoke with 3 people for their feedback on the home. We reviewed documents and records that related to people’s care and the management of the service. We reviewed 4 people's care plans, which included risk assessments. We looked at other documents such as those for medicine management, staff training and infection control.

After the inspection, we continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We spoke with 3 relatives by telephone for their feedback.

Updated 18 July 2023

About the service

Ashling House supports people aged 65 or over, some of whom have dementia care or mobility needs. It is registered to accommodate and support up to 14 people. At the time of the inspection, 10 people were living at the home. The home has 2 floors with adapted facilities and en-suite rooms.

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

People were safe and protected from the risk of abuse. Risks to people’s health were assessed so staff could support them safely. People’s medicines were managed safely. The provider recruited staff appropriately and checked they were suitable to work with people. There were enough staff working in the home to support people. Systems were in place to prevent and control infections. Procedures were being put in place to learn lessons following accidents and incidents in the home.

There were processes to assess people’s needs to determine if the home could meet their needs. 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.

People were supported to be as independent as possible and achieve positive outcomes. People received care and support that was personalised for their needs. Staff were trained to carry out their roles and received support with their development. People were able to access healthcare appointments with professionals. They were supported with food and drink to maintain their nutrition and have a balanced diet.

People’s dignity, privacy and human rights were respected by staff. Their equality and diversity needs were assessed and understood. People took part in house activities and were supported with visits from relatives. Procedures were in place to manage complaints about the service. People’s communication needs were met. Feedback was sought from people and relatives to help make continuous improvements to the home. The management team had systems to monitor the quality and safety of the home and the care provided.

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 the service under the previous provider was Good, published on 28 February 2018.

The new provider of the service registered with us on 24 March 2022 and this is the first inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Ashling House on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.