Ashleigh Residential Home Limited

Updated 14 December 2019

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.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an assistant inspector.

Service and service type

Ashleigh Residential Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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

This inspection was unannounced. The inspection was completed in one day.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received since the last inspection. This included checking incidents the provider must notify us about, such as serious injuries and abuse. We sought feedback from any partner agencies involved with people’s care, this included local authority care commissioners who contract with the provider. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. However, we offered the registered manager the opportunity to share information they felt was relevant. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with seven people who used the service and five relatives about their experience of the care provided. Where people were unable to speak with us, we observed the interactions in the communal areas between them and staff.

We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, deputy, care workers, activity co-ordinator and the cook. We also spoke with a visiting healthcare professional for their feedback. We reviewed a range of records. This included parts of six people’s care records and seven medication records. We reviewed complaints, medication audits, training records and staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision; a variety of residential policies and procedures were checked including the providers checks for quality and safety.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We asked for further evidence works had been completed and received this in the timescale suggested. We spoke with two further professionals who regularly visit the service. We used all this information to help form our judgements detailed within this report.

Updated 14 December 2019

About the service

Ashleigh Residential Home is a residential care home that provides personal care for up to 25 people, some of whom are living with dementia. The accommodation is split over two floors, with a chair lift available to the second floor. There are two communal lounges and a dining area and accessible outdoor space. There are several bathrooms and toilets throughout the building. At the time of inspection 22 people were using the service.

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

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People remained safe at the service and risks about their well-being were assessed, recorded and reviewed. People told us that when they needed assistance, staff responded promptly. People were supported to take their medicines safely. Incidents and accidents were investigated, and actions taken to prevent reoccurrence. The premises were clean, and staff followed infection control procedures.

People’s needs had been assessed, plans developed, and they received care and support from staff who had the skills and knowledge to demonstrate a full understanding of their care needs. People were provided with a nutritious and varied diet and were complimentary about the food and the choices offered. Staff were safely recruited and received the training and support needed to undertake their role.

Staff always treated people with kindness and respect and people told us they felt involved and supported in their care. There was a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for people using the service and people and their relatives gave positive comments about the staff and the care provided.

Staff were responsive to people’s individual needs and were seen to engage well. Activities and entertainment were organised on a regular basis, which people said they enjoyed. People, visitors and staff views were listened to and actions were taken to improve the service for all.

The service was led by clear leaders who conducted quality assurance audits to monitor the running of the service. These systems were in place to continue to drive and improve the level of the service. The registered manager was praised by many for their positive and supportive approach. The management team and staff engaged well with other professionals to support the needs of the service.

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 12 May 2017).

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 programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.