Ashcroft Care Home

Updated 1 February 2019

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection site visit took place on 15 January 2019 and was unannounced. Due to the size of the service, the inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Prior to the inspection we reviewed the information we had about the service. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We reviewed notifications sent to us about significant events at the service. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

During the visit we spoke with the registered provider, three people and two members of staff. There were people that were unable to verbally communicate with us; instead we observed care from the staff at the service. We looked at a sample of two care records of people who used the service, medicine administration records and training, supervision and two recruitment records for staff. We also reviewed records that related to the management of the service. This included minutes of staff meetings and audits of the service. Following our inspection, we received feedback from four health and social care professionals and a friend of one person.

Updated 1 February 2019

Care service description

Ashcroft Care Home is a service that provides accommodation and personal care for up to five people. People living had the service have a mild learning disability, epilepsy or are elderly and frail. 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. At the time of our inspection four people were living at the service.

Rating at last inspection

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good in all five domains and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Why the service is rated good

People were safe with staff and staff were aware of the safeguarding procedure. There were sufficient levels of staff on duty to ensure that people’s needs were met. Recruitment was robust to ensure that only appropriate staff were employed.

Risks to people’s care was managed well by staff and people received their medicines in a safe way. Regular health and safety checks of the premises and equipment were carried out. Staff were effective in ensuring the service was clean and that they adhered to good infection control.

People were treated in a caring and respectful way by staff. We observed staff to be kind and considerate to people. People were supported with their independence and had choices around their delivery of care.

People's needs had been assessed before moving in to the service and staff took time to get to know people and to help them settle in. Care plans reflected people's needs and preferences. Care plans were evaluated regularly to help ensure they remained current. People had access to health care professionals and people were supported with their nutrition and hydration needs.

People chose how they spent their time and could take part in activities if they wanted to. Trips were arranged for people outside of the service. People were given the opportunity to discuss their wishes around their end of life. The environment was suitable for people.

There was a complaints procedure in place and complaints were investigated and responded to.

The provider carried out quality assurance checks to ensure people received a good standard of care. Staff consulted with outside professionals to ensure the best delivery of care.

People and staff were involved in the running of the service through regular meetings. Staff felt supported and received ongoing training and supervision. Notifications were sent to the CQC where appropriate.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.