• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Ashdown Lodge

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

2 Wendy Ridge, Rustington, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN16 3PJ (01903) 785251

Provided and run by:
Mrs Janet Tucker

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

11 & 12 November 2015

During a routine inspection

Ashdown Lodge provides support and accommodation for up to thirteen older people with a variety of long term conditions and physical health needs. Some people were also living with dementia. It is situated in a residential area of Rustington, West Sussex. It is situated in a residential area of Rustington, West Sussex. People had their own room, there was a dining and lounge area which people could spend time in.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

There was an audit schedule for aspects of care such as infection control, accidents and incidents and maintenance of the home. However the monitoring processes were not robust and did not include the areas which we identified at the inspection. The provider told us that they were in the process of compiling a more robust quality assurance system to ensure that issues could be identified and responded to in a timely way.

Policies and procedures were in place to ensure the safe ordering, administration, storage and disposal of medicines. Medicines were managed, stored, given to people as prescribed and disposed of safely.

Consent to care and treatment was not always sought in line with legislation and guidance We reviewed people’s care records and found that there was not a robust process in place to identify when people needed to have a DoL’s application submitted. Within these care records we saw no evidence that capacity assessments had been completed or that people’s abilities to consent to care had been considered.

Risk assessments were in place and reviewed monthly. Where someone was identified as being at risk actions were identified on how to reduce the risk and referrals were made to health professionals as required.

There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to keep people safe and meet their needs. We observed that people were not left waiting for assistance and people were responded to in a timely way. New staff received an induction to ensure they were competent to start work. Staff had undertaken a comprehensive training programme to ensure that they were able to meet people’s needs however new staff felt that additional dementia awareness training would be beneficial. The registered manager was planning future dates for this training.

People were supported to maintain good health and had access to health professionals. Staff worked in collaboration with professionals such as doctors and the falls prevention team to ensure advice was taken when needed and people’s needs were met. Relatives told us staff responded quickly if people were unwell “if she’s not well they will be straight on the phone to the GP”.

People received enough to eat and drink. People who were at risk were weighed on a monthly basis and referrals or advice was sought where people were identified as being at risk.

Staff knew people well and they were treated in a dignified and respectful way. People told us “the staff are absolutely wonderful” and their relatives told us “it’s absolutely fantastic, it’s not a care home, it’s a caring home”. Another relative told us “for us it’s not just a care home, they look after us as well”.

The care that people received was responsive to their needs. Care plans included information on people’s key relationships, personality and preferences. They also contained information on people’s social and physical needs. People’s care plans contained a document which detailed people’s likes and dislikes. An example was about a person’s preferred morning routine. The document read “(named person) liked to have their breakfast at 7am and likes to remain in bed until just after 10am, they prefer a blanket rather than a duvet. They like to have their coffee in the lounge at 10.30am”.

There was a weekly schedule of activities for people to take part in which included reminiscence games, bingo and a quiz and this was made available for people to read and chose what activities they would like to take part in.

The registered manager told us there vision was to create a homely atmosphere which provided quality care to people. Staff shared this vision and told us “it’s just like a little guest house, everybody has good words to say about Ashdown”. We were also told “we’re like one big family, it’s really important as it’s their home at the end of the day”.

We found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.

14 October 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three people who lived at the home. They were satisfied the care and support they received and were happy living at Ashdown Lodge. One person told us, "It's excellent. I have no complaints at all". Another said, "I struggled when I came here but the staff made it easy to settle in". A relative said,"It's a small home so it feels much more personal than the bigger ones". We noted that the home provided a wide range of social events and activities organised by the deputy manager; the people we spoke with were happy with the number and variety of activities on offer.

We saw that consent was sought from people before giving care and support whenever practicable. We observed that the care given was safe and appropriate and based on effective care planning and risk assessments. This meant that people's individual needs were met and preferences were taken into account.

People were protected from the risks associated with poor medication management. We saw that medicines were properly handled and administered in line with the providers policy. We noted that there were adequate numbers of staff to provide safe care. We also found that systems were in place for people and relatives to make a complaint about the service if necessary.

13 March 2013

During a routine inspection

During our visit, there were eleven people living in the home. People that we spoke with told us they were happy with the care and support being provided.

Comments included. 'It's very nice here and the people who care for us are lovely. The food is very good and is always well cooked too.'

There were care plans in place that included people's individual needs and wishes. The plans also contained clear information regarding staff supporting people's emotional wellbeing.

The home's staff worked with a variety of healthcare professionals including local doctors and district nurses. We saw that people also had access to specialist care when required.

We spoke to staff and reviewed records which showed us that people were protected from abuse and their care was planned and delivered in a safe manner.

People were protected by there being a robust staff recruitment and selection process in place.

There were processes in place for the provider to audit and record the standard of care being provided.

A family member who visited the home regularly told us. 'I am so glad we chose this home. There are very good staff and as it is a small home, my mother interacts well with everyone.'

22 March 2011

During a routine inspection

People told us that they are treated with respect and dignity and that their care needs are met.

Comments made by people included' 'You can have a wash and shower when you want.' People confirmed that they are able to exercise choice in how they spend their time, including where to have meals and at what times they get up as well as choices at each meal.

People said that they like the meals and that there are ample portions with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

People reported that they feel safe at the home and that they are treated well by the staff they also told they knew how to make a complaint if they needed to.

We were told by people that there is a range of activities including outings and people also said that they go out with friends or relatives. People said that the home is kept clean and that they liked the environment.