Ash Court Care Home

Updated 28 December 2023

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 and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Ash Court is a ‘care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under 1 contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Ash Court 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

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

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 8 November 2023 when we visited the home unannounced on the first day and ended on 22 November 2023 when we attended the home for second day which was announced.

What we did before the inspection

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. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 7 people who used the service and 3 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 7 staff including the registered manager, area director and other support staff and senior managers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 28 December 2023

Ash Court is a residential care service that provides accommodation and personal care for up to 42 people. It accommodates people across 2 floors, each of which has separate facilities. At the time of our inspection, there were 40 people living at the home.

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

Staff were recruited and selected safely, and medicines were appropriately managed. Incidents and accidents were appropriately recorded and analysed for patterns and trends. Risks to people’s health and well-being were assessed and reviewed appropriately. Staff could clearly describe the course of action they would take if they felt someone was being harmed or abused. Safety checks on the environment were in place and robust. Everyone we spoke with said they felt safe living at the home. There were enough staff to ensure people were kept safe, and call bells were answered in a timely manner.

Staff were appropriately trained and supervised to enable them to carry out their roles. People were supported to have maximum choice and control over 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 eat a balanced diet. We received positive feedback regarding the food.

People said the staff were kind and caring, and we observed warm and familiar caring interactions between staff and people throughout the duration of our inspection. People said staff were “100 out of 100”, “kind” and “patient”. We heard staff asking people if they wanted or needed any help or support during our inspection. People were very at home in the service and their dignity was promoted well.

People and relatives told us how they were supported by staff to follow their interests and engage in relevant and meaningful activities which gave them purpose. There was particular emphasis on tasks people could do for themselves, such as washing, dressing and choosing what they wore, how they spent their day, and what time they wanted to get up and go to bed.

There was a complaints policy in place, which was made available in different formats to support people’s understanding. We reviewed some recent complaints and saw they had been responded to in line with policy and procedure. Care plans were person centered and reviewed regularly to ensure any changing needs were taken into account.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the home, and they felt they could approach the registered manager to help them develop further in their roles or if they had any concerns. The registered manager was well known. Staff told us the registered manager led by example and had ‘worked hard’. The registered manager welcomed feedback and was responsive. All notifications had been sent to the CQC, and the registered manager understood what was expected of them.

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 18 July 2018).

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.