Aaron Grange Care Home

Updated 12 May 2022

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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 21 April 2022 and was announced. We gave the service several hours’ notice prior to the inspection taking place.

Updated 12 May 2022

About the service

Aaron Grange Care Home accommodates up to 68 people over two units in one adapted building. There were 50 people using the service at the time of the inspection.

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

We have made a recommendation about the maintenance of some records. People had a care plan for their assessed needs and they were kept under review, however these records and some care monitoring records did not always accurately reflect people’s needs and the care provided. Despite this people did receive effective care and support.

There were systems in place to protect people from the risk of abuse. Staff had a good awareness and understanding of abuse and knew what to do if they witnessed or suspected abuse. Risks to people were assessed and staff followed guidance to minimise the risk of harm to people and others. Safe recruitment processes were followed and there were enough suitably skilled and experienced staff to safely meet people’s needs. Medicines were safely managed, and people received their medicines as prescribed. The service was clean and hygienic. Lessons were learnt following accidents and incidents and were communicated across the staff team.

Staff received the training and support they needed for their role. Staff applied their learning in practice which led to good outcomes for people. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and they enjoyed a variety of food and drink. People received the support they needed to access healthcare professionals and services. 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.

Staff treated people well and respected their privacy, dignity and independence. Staff were friendly and polite, their interactions with people showed positive relationships had been developed. Staff took time to get to know people's preferences and used this knowledge to care for them in the way they liked. Staff showed compassion towards people when they were emotional.

People received personalised care which was responsive to their needs, choices and preferences. People and family members knew how to complain, and they were confident about complaining if they needed to. Complaints were used to improve the service.

Checks were carried out to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service. Most checks were effective however those carried out some people’s records needed to be strengthened.

There was an open and positive culture and good partnership working at the service. The manager and other senior staff were described as approachable and supportive.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 29 June 2018).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the 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.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.