Archived: Ashley House - Guildford

Updated 1 May 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 unannounced inspection took place on 9 March 2018. The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. This was a routine comprehensive inspection as we had rated this service ‘Good’ at the last visit on 9 and 10 November 2015.

Prior to our inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service including notifications. Statutory notifications include information about important events, which the provider is required to send us by law. We reviewed the Provider Information Return (PIR) form sent to us. A PIR is a document that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to plan the inspection.

During our inspection, we spoke with seven people using the service, four relatives and two healthcare professionals who were visiting the service. We also spoke with four members of care staff, a deputy manager, the registered manager and the provider.

We undertook general observations and formal observations of how staff treated and supported people throughout the service.

We looked at four people’s care records, information about the management of the service and quality monitoring reports. We reviewed five staff records that included recruitment, training, supervisions and appraisals.

Updated 1 May 2018

This inspection took place on 9 March 2018 and was unannounced.

Ashley House - Guildford 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. There are six double bedrooms with en-suite showers and toilets and 15 single occupancy rooms with en-suite toilets. People also have access to communal shower rooms and toilets. A passenger and stair lift are available for access to parts of the accommodation. The service has well-maintained gardens.

At the time of the inspection, 17 people were using the service.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At the last inspection of 9 and 10 November 2015, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection, we found the service remained Good.

People continued to receive care that protected them from abuse. The registered manager assessed and reviewed risks to people’s safety and well-being. Staff minimised the risk of harm and avoidable incidents. People’s medicines were administered and managed safely.

People received care from a sufficient number of staff who underwent safe recruitment practices. Staff followed good hygiene methods to prevent and control the risk of infection.

People’s needs were assessed, planned and delivered in line with evidence-based practice. Care delivery met the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People consented to care and treatment. Staff were supported, supervised and trained to deliver care effectively.

People received food that met their preferences and dietary needs. Staff supported people to maintain good health and access healthcare services. The premises were suitably adapted to meet people’s needs.

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 were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff knew people well and provided emotional support when needed. People were involved in making decisions about their care and staff respected their choices. People had access to advocacy services when required. People had their privacy, dignity and confidentiality respected.

People’s needs underwent regular reviews to identify any changes to their care and support requirements. Staff followed guidance to provide care that responded to people’s needs. People had opportunities to engage in activities and to maintain their independence. People knew how to make a complaint and were confident any issues raised would be resolved.

People’s care delivery was at the heart of the service. People and staff were happy about the management of the home. Staff understood and championed the provider’s vision to deliver person centred care. The registered manager was approachable and available to support staff in their roles. The quality of care underwent regular checks to drive improvement. Other agencies were involved to share best practice guidance and to improve care delivery.