Ash Grove

Updated 1 December 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

Ash Grove is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means the provider is legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. The manager told us they intended to apply for registration.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service, such as notifications. These are events that happen in the service that the provider is required to tell us about. We also sought feedback from the local authority.

We used the information the provider sent us in the 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.

During the inspection

We observed how staff provided support for people to help us better understand their experiences of the care they received. We spoke with seven people living in the home, four members of staff, the deputy manager, the manager, the operations manager and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also spoke with a visiting healthcare professional.

We had a tour of the building with the manager and reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care documentation, three staff files and five people’s medication records. We also reviewed a range of records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection

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

Updated 1 December 2021

About the service

Ash Grove is a residential care home registered to provide accommodation and nursing care for 48 people. There were 32 people accommodated in the home at the time of the inspection. The home is set in its own grounds in a residential area of Burnley. Nursing care was not provided in the home at the time of the visit.

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

People told us they felt safe living in the home, and they were happy with the service provided. Staff understood how to protect people from harm or discrimination and had access to safeguarding adults’ procedures. There were sufficient numbers of staff deployed to meet people's needs and ensure their safety. We found shortfalls in the recruitment of new staff. The provider and manager took immediate action to address these issues. Risk assessments enabled people to retain their independence and receive support with minimum risk to themselves or others. People were protected from the risks associated with the spread of infection. The premises had a satisfactory standard of cleanliness.

People received their medicines safely and were supported to maintain good nutrition and hydration. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People’s needs were assessed prior to them using the service. The provider had appropriate arrangements to ensure staff received training relevant to their role. New staff completed an induction training programme. Staff felt supported by the management team.

Management and staff had developed friendly, caring and respectful relationships with people living in the home. People were treated as individuals which helped protect their dignity. People's equality and diversity was respected, and care was tailored to their needs, routines and preferences. Staff knew people well.

People were happy with the way the service was managed and staff told us they enjoyed working at the home. The management team monitored the quality of the service provided to help ensure people received safe and effective care. People asked for more opportunities to provide feedback about the service. The manager therefore agreed to increase the frequency of residents’ meetings. The manager was supported by the provider.

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 this service was good (published 8 January 2021).

Why we inspected

We received concerns about care practices and the management of the home. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, effective and well-led only.

We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Please see the safe, effective and well-led sections of this full report.

The overall rating for the service has remained good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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

Follow up

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