Updated 30 January 2021
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 Care Act 2014.
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.
Service and service type
Ashton Court 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 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
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was to ensure our visit could be safely undertaken during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspection activity started on 6 January 2021 and ended on 13 January. We carried out a visit to the home on 8 January, and interviewed staff and people’s relatives by telephone after that.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. We did not request a provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us 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 this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection-
We spoke with two people using the service and three members of staff, including the registered manager. We observed staff and people using the service interacting, and activities taking place.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality audits and monitoring records, were reviewed.
After the inspection
We spoke with four members of staff and two people’s relatives. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.