Ashfield Nursing & Residential Home

Updated 29 November 2023

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection team was made up of 2 inspectors and 1 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.

Service and service type

Ashfield Nursing & Residential Home 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 both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority, clinical commissioning group and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 7 people about their experience of the care provided and 1 relative. We spoke with the clinical director, registered manager, deputy manager, assistant manager, site operations manager, business manager, activities co-ordinator and 3 members of staff.

We looked around the building to check environmental safety and cleanliness. We looked at written records, which included 4 people’s care records and 3 staff files. A variety of records relating to medicines, activities and the management of the service were also reviewed.

Updated 29 November 2023

About the service

Ashfield Nursing & Residential Home is a care home providing personal care to up to 32 people. The home provides support to older adults and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 24 people living at the home.

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

The provider's processes for monitoring the quality and safety of the home were not effective and had failed to identify, address concerns and drive improvements. The environment was not always safe, as a recent fire inspection showed the home was not compliant with fire regulations. Some areas of the home were worn and required improvements. The provider had not ensured all staff were appropriately trained and received regular supervisions to support their learning and development.

Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people's needs however, staff were not always recruited safely. We made a recommendation to ensure safe recruitment within the home.

Systems were in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse and people said they felt safe. Incidents and accidents were reported, investigated and measures taken to mitigate future occurrences. However, we did identify one incident which was not reported to CQC. Medicines were mostly managed safely.

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 told us staff were kind and caring. Relatives and friends were encouraged to visit the home and spend time with their loved ones. Staff understood and knew peoples individualised needs. Care plans and risk assessments had been completed when people required measures in place to keep them safe.

People and their relatives knew how to complain and told us they could speak up. People, relatives, and staff were positive about the running of the home.

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 1 August 2017).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have identified breaches in relation to the management oversight at this inspection. We have made a recommendation about the provider's recruitment systems.

Please see what action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.