Aspen House Care Home

Updated 13 August 2022

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.

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

One inspector and an Expert by Experience carried out this inspection. 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

Aspen House 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. Aspen House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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. 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 sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people and spent time in the home whilst people were relaxing in the communal lounge and receiving support. This gave us an opportunity to observe staff interactions with people. We spoke with four relatives by telephone to gain their views on care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, two senior carers and three care assistants. We reviewed records that included care plans, risk assessments and medicine administration records. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures and quality assurance systems. After the inspection we clarified further information with the registered manager.

Updated 13 August 2022

About the service

Aspen House is a 'care home' providing accommodation and personal care to up to 15 people in one adapted building. The home provides support for people living with varying stages of dementia and some with mobility and sensory needs. At the time of the inspection there were 12 people living at the home.

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

People and their relatives described a homely atmosphere at Aspen House where they felt safe and secure. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of how to safeguard people from abuse and systems for managing risks to people ensured that staff had the information they needed to provide care safely. A relative told us, “The home is small and homely enough to be just right. People are very safe and well cared for there.”

People were supported by staff who were receiving the support and training they needed to be effective in their roles. People’s needs were assessed, and records reflected the care provided. Staff supported people to access health care service when they needed them. People spoke highly of the food and staff supported people to have enough to eat and drink. 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 had developed positive relationships with staff who knew them well and had a good understanding of their needs. Staff were responsive to changes in people’s needs and people were receiving a personalised service. One person said, “The staff are very kind and caring and they do spend time with us.” Staff were mindful of supporting people’s dignity and maintaining their privacy.

Systems for monitoring quality were effective and the registered manager had good oversight of the service. People, relatives and staff spoke highly of the management of the service. They described an open and positive culture at the home where people and staff were able to express their views and felt listened too.

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 requires improvement (published 5 November 2020). At this inspection the rating had improved to good.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service. We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

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