We carried out a review of the data available to us about Astbury Lodge Residential Care Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Astbury Lodge Residential Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
• The service pre booked visitors within allocated timeslots. There was time between visits to allow for cleaning. This also reduced the risk of potential infection transmission to other visitors. On arrival visitors had their temperature taken and were asked questions that related to COVID19 exposure and symptoms. A track and trace form was completed. Visitors were asked to wash their hands on arrival and also to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including a face mask. Alcohol gel was readily available.
• People were admitted to the service immediately following a negative COVID19 test result. They were isolated on transition into the service for 14 days and staff supported them with all their needs within their bedroom. This included personal care, social support and ensuring their food and drink needs were met.
• The service had increased the cleaning schedules and routines to reduce the risks of cross infection. Residents commented positively on this and one told us, "The staff never stop cleaning. The home is beautifully clean."
• The service had appointed an infection control lead to oversee that people’s safe discharge from hospital in to the service followed up to date national guidance. The lead liaised with relatives to ensure they understood the reasons for why their loved one would have a period of isolation in the home on arrival. They had also explained to people’s relatives how the service would ensure regular contact was in place via electronic means.
• We observed staff wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the inspection and all of the residents we spoke with confirmed staff wear PPE when providing personal care.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
Astbury Lodge is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection. The home is situated within the Great Sutton area near Ellesmere Port. The home offers accommodation and support for up to 41 people. At the time of our visit there were 40 people living in Astbury Lodge.
The home had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
At the last inspection, the service was rated good. At this inspection we found the service remained good as it met all the requirements of the fundamental standards.
The registered provider continued to have safe recruitment processes in place. All staff had completed an induction when they commenced their employment and had undertaken essential training necessary for their role. Staff received regular support through supervision and team meetings.
Staff had received training in safeguarding and were able to describe what abuse may look like. They felt confident to raise any concerns and thought any concerns would be listened to and acted upon promptly. The registered provider had safeguarding policies and procedures in place.
Medicines were ordered, stored, administered and disposed of in accordance with best practice guidelines. The registered provider had policies and procedures in place. Medicine administration records (MARs) were fully completed and regularly audited for accuracy. Staff had received training in medicines management and had their competency assessed.
People had their needs assessed before they moved into the home and this information was used to create individual care plans. These plans included clear guidance for staff to follow to ensure people’s individual needs were met. People’s needs that related to age, disability, religion or other protected characteristics were considered throughout the assessment and care planning process. Care plans were reviewed and updated when any changes occurred.
People had their food and drinks needs assessed. Clear guidance was available for staff to follow to meet these needs. People spoke positively about the food and drink available to them. The mealtime experience observed at the home was positive.
People, relatives, staff and health care professionals spoke positively about the staff and the management team. People described being supported by kind and caring staff.
Staff had developed positive relationships with people who lived at the home. People told us their privacy and dignity was respected and their independence promoted. We observed positive interactions between staff and people living at the home throughout our inspection.
People living at the home had opportunities to engage in activities of their choice and the management team had developed positive relationships with organisations within the local community.
The home was clean and had all required health and safety checks and documentation in place. Equipment was regularly serviced and fire checks were regularly undertaken within the home. Individual emergency evacuation plans were in place for people.
The Care Quality Commission as required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and report on what we found. We saw that the registered provider had guidance available for staff in relation to the MCA. Staff had undertaken training and demonstrated a basic understanding of this. The registered provider had made appropriate applications for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Care records reviewed included mental capacity assessments and best interest meetings.
Quality assurance systems were in place that were consistently completed. Areas for development and improvement had been identified and actions promptly taken to address these. Accidents and incidents were analysed to identify trends and patterns within the home.
The registered provider had a clear complaints policy that people and their relatives knew how to access. People told us they felt confident to raise any concerns they had and felt they would be promptly addressed.
Policies and procedures were available for staff to offer them guidance within their role and employment. These were regularly reviewed and updated.
The registered provider had displayed their ratings from the previous inspection in line with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.