Stoneygate Ashlands

Updated 20 July 2022

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 one 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

Stoneygate Ashlands is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. 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 the inspection, a new manager had been appointed and had submitted their registered manager application.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with eight people who use the service and one relative to ask about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with the manager, the operations support manager and six care staff. We looked at six care files along with a range of medication administration records. We looked at other records relating to the management of the service including staff recruitment and health and safety checks.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. This included training data, quality assurance records and policies.

Updated 20 July 2022

Stoneygate Ashlands is a purpose-built residential care home for up to 37 older people, including people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection, the service was supporting 31 people.

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

Staff deployment did not consistently meet people's individual care needs. This had impacted on the length of time people had to wait for assistance. People repeatedly told us this caused them frustration and distress.

The provider’s systems and processes were not fully robust or effective in taking action to make improvements. There was no current action plan to drive forward improvements. Care documents were not accurately maintained. This raised concerns about management, leadership and oversight.

The service was not always person centred or inclusive. Social opportunities and activities including people enjoying interests, hobbies and pastimes were limited or not available. People did not feel listened to or valued. They had repeatedly raised concerns about the choice and quality of foods. Whilst the management team were addressing this, this had been ongoing for a long time with still no specific date for change.

A new manager and regional support manager had recently commenced. They showed a commitment in making improvements and developing the service and had started this work. As a result of this inspection, they took direct action in relation to documentation that needed improving to ensure people’s safety. A review of care records was ongoing.

People received their prescribed medicines safely. Medicine were stored and managed in line with best practice guidance and staff had received training and their competency assessed.

Staff had received safeguarding training and were knowledgeable about their responsibilities to protect people from avoidable harm.

The environment was clean and hygienic and infection prevention and control best practice guidance was followed.

Lessons were learnt when things went wrong, and actions were taken to reduce further risks. The provider was compliant with their duty of candour requirements.

Resident meetings had recently been reintroduced to enable people to share their views and to receive information about the service.

The service had developed positive relationships with external health and social care professionals.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service was good (published 19 February 2020).

Why we inspected

This focused 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.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the Safe and Well-led sections of this full report. Two breaches were identified in relation to good governance and staff deployment. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

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

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.