Ashdene Care Home

Updated 26 June 2019

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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

This 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:

Ashdene Care Home is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The service provides accommodation and personal care to up to 41 older adults and people living with dementia.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection:

The inspection was unannounced. The Inspection was completed on 25 March and 26 March 2019.

What we did:

Prior to the inspection we reviewed information we had received about the service, this included details about incidents the provider must notify us about. We sought feedback from the local authority, the local safeguarding authority and other professionals who work with the service. We used this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection we spoke with eight people and one relative. We also spoke with four care staff, the cook, the activities coordinator, the deputy manager, the registered manager and the nominated individual. We reviewed records related to the care of six people. We looked at records of accidents and incidents, audits and quality assurance reports, complaints, and four staff files. We also looked at documentation related to the safety and suitability of the service. We spent time observing interactions between staff and people within the communal areas of the home.

Updated 26 June 2019

About the service:

The service provides accommodation and personal care for up to 41 older adults and people living with dementia. There were 37 people living in the service on the day of our inspection.

People’s experience of using this service:

Systems were in place to ensure the safety of people being supported. Risks to people were assessed and managed. Medicines were well managed, procedures, systems and checks were in place to support safe administration. Accidents and incidents were recorded, and measures were taken to improve and learn.

People’s needs were thoroughly assessed, and desired outcomes were met. The food was of good quality, the cook had good systems in place to ensure that people ate and drank what they wanted and liked. Fresh fruit and snacks were available. Staff received training they needed to do their job well and were supported by managers in their roles. People’s consent to care was sought and the principals of the Mental Capacity Act were being met.

Staff and managers were kind and caring. The values of the organisation placed an emphasis on the home being a ‘home’ for people. Staff described a working environment that represented family values. Staff interactions with people living in the home was attentive and kind. People were given the opportunity to express their views regularly and were involved in their own care. Privacy and dignity were maintained to a high standard.

People were receiving care that was responsive to their needs. Care planning captured peoples wishes and care was delivered by staff who understood the needs of the people they were supporting. Care records were person centred and contained good detail about people, their likes and dislikes and what is important to them. People know how to complain and raise concerns and were listened to.

The registered provider had a genuine desire and passion to provide good quality care to people living in the home. Leadership was strong, visible and accessible. Processes were in place to ensure that the delivery of care was monitored and checked regularly. Governance systems identified areas for improvement and plans were developed and actioned.

The manager and the team have built good working partnerships with other health and social care professionals and have built strong links in the community.

The service met the characteristics of Good in all areas that we inspected. More information is in the full report.

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection the service was rated Requires Improvement and was published on 10 October 2017.

Why we inspected:

This was a scheduled inspection based on previous rating.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.

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