Ascot Lodge Nursing Home

Updated 22 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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Ascot Lodge Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Ascot Lodge Nursing Home is a care home with nursing care. 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 were 2 registered managers in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced on the first day and announced on the second day.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it's registration. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We carried out a walk round of the home to ensure it was safe and suitable to meet people's needs. We also observed the delivery of care and support at various times throughout the day. We spoke with 4 people who lived at the home, the provider, the nominated individual (the nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider), the registered managers, the cook, the maintenance person and 2 members of care staff.

We looked at records in relation to people who used the service including 3 care plans, medication records and systems for monitoring the safety and quality of the service provided. We looked at staff training and quality assurance records.

After the inspection

We spoke with 3 relatives of people being supported at Ascot Lodge Nursing Home over the telephone, to help us understand their experience of the care and support received by their loved one.

Updated 22 November 2023

About the service

Ascot Lodge Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 18 people. The service provides support to older people, including those living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 16 people using the service.

Ascot Lodge Nursing Home is a large, adapted house with 4 floors and lift access to all floors. There was a communal lounge and a dining room located on the ground floor. People also had access to a private and enclosed rear garden.

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

We were assured people received care and support based on their needs, however, care plans required further person-centred detail to provide guidance for staff.

We have made a recommendation about updating people’s care plans, to include more detailed information and guidance.

Risks to people's health and safety were assessed. Staff had access to information about how to manage and mitigate people's identified risks, to support them in a safe way.

Safeguarding policies and processes were in place to help ensure people were protected from the risk of harm and abuse.

Safe recruitment processes were in place and there was enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs in a timely way.

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 and were followed by the provider in line with the Mental Capacity Act.

Many staff members had worked at the home for a long time (under the previous provider). People were supported by staff who were well known to them and were familiar with their needs and preferences. People told us staff were kind and looked after them well. The home had a ‘family’ feel to it and a relaxed atmosphere.

The management team were well thought of by people, their relatives and staff. Staff were keen to tell us how much they loved their job and thought of the people they cared for as ‘family’.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 1 March 2023, and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

We carried out this inspection to award the service with a rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.