Background to this inspection
Updated
20 February 2019
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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team:
The inspection team consisted of one inspector.
Service and service type:
Ashgold House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Ashgold House accommodates up to six people in one adapted building.
The home had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.
Notice of inspection:
The inspection was unannounced.
What we did:
We reviewed information we had received about the home. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about, such as allegations of abuse. Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
In addition to speaking with people living at Ashgold House, we spent time observing staff working with and supporting people in communal areas during the inspection. We spoke with two staff and the registered manager.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people's care records and medication records. We also looked at three staff files around staff recruitment and supervision and the training records of all staff. We
reviewed records relating to the management of the home and a variety of policies and procedures developed and implemented by the provider.
Updated
20 February 2019
About the service:
Ashgold House is a residential care home for people with sensory impairment, learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders. Ashgold House can accommodate six people. At the time of our inspection there were five people using the service.
People's experience of using this service:
People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse. Staff were aware of what actions to take to ensure people were safe.
Risks associated with people's care and support had been identified and plans were in place to help minimise these risks.
There were sufficient staff available to meet people's needs and to ensure they could go out when they wanted to.
People were supported to manage their prescribed medicines. Staff had received training to ensure this was carried out safely.
Accidents and incidents were monitored to identify trends and patterns and the provider took action to minimise incidents occurring.
People received support from staff who were trained and supported to carry out their role.
People were supported to maintain a healthy diet which catered for their likes and dislikes.
People had access to health care professionals as required.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The service was compliant with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
During our inspection we saw staff interacting with people who used the service. Staff and people had a good rapport and staff were kind and caring in their approach.
Staff maintained people's privacy and dignity and were respectful of their home.
People received personalised care which was responsive to their needs and preferences. Support plans were clearly detailed.
The provider had a complaints procedure and people felt at ease to raise concerns. No concerns had been received at the time of our inspection.
The service was well led and had a registered manager who was dedicated in providing high-quality care which promoted an open and fair culture.
Audits were in place to measure the performance of the service and to action any concerns as they arose.
Rating at last inspection:
The home was rated Good (report published in August 2016).
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.