Background to this inspection
Updated
18 January 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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had 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 11 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours' notice of the inspection.
Updated
18 January 2022
About the service: Aston House Care Home is a care home providing accommodation with nursing care for up to 48 older people. There were 41 people living at the service at the time of our inspection. Aston House Care Home is a purpose-built building which accommodated people over two floors. People who used the service were older people with nursing needs and/or living with the experience of dementia.
People’s experience of using this service:
¿ The provider had systems in place to help ensure people who used the service were safe from avoidable harm and these were effective.
¿ Where there were risks to people who used the service, these had been assessed and management plans included clear guidelines to help ensure people were safe from harm.
¿ People’s nutritional and healthcare needs were met and we saw that staff took appropriate action when concerns were identified.
¿ The provider had robust systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and put action plans in place where concerns were identified. People’s care records were reviewed and updated monthly or more often if their needs changed.
¿ People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. Staff received training in the administration of medicines and had their competency at managing medicines safely checked.
¿ Care plans were developed from pre-admission assessments and contained relevant and up to date information about people’s needs and preferences, so staff knew how to care for and support them.
¿ People were supported by staff who were suitably trained, supervised and appraised.
¿ Where possible, people had an end of life care plan in place which stated their individual wishes when they reached the end of their lives.
¿ Recruitment checks were carried out before staff started working for the service and included checks to ensure staff had the relevant previous experience and qualifications.
¿ People were protected by the provider’s arrangements in relation to the prevention and control of infection. The home was clean, tidy and well maintained throughout.
¿ The environment was tailored to the individual needs of people who used the service, including those living with the experience of dementia.
¿ The provider acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People had their mental capacity assessed before they moved into the home. Where necessary, people were being deprived of their liberty lawfully.
¿ The provider had processes for recording and investigating incidents and accidents. We saw that these included information about the actions which had been taken and lessons learned.
¿ People were engaged in a wide range of meaningful activities. People were consulted about what they wanted to do and were listened to. People reported they were very happy with the activities on offer.
¿ Staff were responsive to people’s individual needs and knew them well. They supported each person by spending time with them and listening to them. They ensured that each person felt included and valued as an individual.
¿ The manager led a caring and dedicated team. Together, they met people’s individual needs and improved their quality of life.
Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection on 3 and 4 October 2016 the service was rated good.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection program. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk