Archived: Ashlands Nursing Home

Updated 3 November 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC's response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 23 October 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 3 November 2020

We carried out an unannounced inspection of Ashlands Nursing Home on 27 February and 5 March 2018. The service 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 we looked at both during this inspection. The home provides accommodation, nursing care and personal care in single and shared rooms for up to 19 people. At the time of our inspection 19 people were living at the home.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going 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.

We found that people received safe care. Records showed that that staff had been recruited safely and the staff we spoke with were aware of how to safeguard adults at risk. There were safe processes and practices in place for the management of medicines. People and their relatives told us there were always enough staff available to meet their needs.

People liked the staff who supported them. They told us staff were kind and caring and provided them with support when they needed it.

Staff received an effective induction and appropriate training. People who lived at the home and their relatives felt that staff had the knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs.

People received appropriate support with eating and drinking and their healthcare needs. Appropriate referrals were made to community health and social care professionals.

People told us staff respected their right to privacy and dignity and encouraged them to be as independent as possible. We observed this during the inspection.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way; the policies and systems at the service supported this practice. Where people lacked the capacity to make decisions about their care, the service had taken appropriate action in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People told us that they received care that reflected their needs, risks and preferences and we found evidence of this. Where appropriate, relatives had been consulted about people’s care and were updated regularly by staff.

People were very happy with the activities and entertainment available at the home. Records and photographs showed that people were supported regularly to take part in a wide variety of activities in the home and the community.

Staff used a variety of methods to communicate effectively with people, including providing information in braille, large print and in a pictorial format. They supported people sensitively and did not rush them when providing care.

The service had a registered manager in post. Relatives and staff were very happy with how the service was being managed. They found the registered manager caring, approachable and helpful and told us any concerns were addressed immediately.

A variety of audits of quality and safety were completed by the registered manager regularly. We found the audits completed were effective in ensuring that high levels of quality and safety were maintained at the service.

The registered manager regularly sought feedback from people living at the home and their relatives in a variety of ways. These included residents meetings, satisfaction surveys and a suggestions box. A high level of satisfaction had been expressed by people living at the home and their relatives about all aspects of the care and support provided.

People living at the home and their relatives were very happy with how the service was being managed. They told us that the registered manager was approachable and any issues were resolved immediately.

Staff were very happy with the management of the service and felt well supported by the registered manager . They found her approachable, helpful and inspiring. In addition to developing her own leadership skills, the registered manager provided opportunities for staff to develop their skills.

The registered manager was passionate about providing people with high quality care. She was a member of various health and social care organisations and attended a variety of forums to help her keep up with and share good practice. This enhanced the care people received, resulting in better outcomes for people living at the home.

We received very positive feedback from community professionals about the registered manager and the quality of the care provided at the home. The home had been nominated for an award by the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Further information is in the detailed findings below.