Ashfield Nursing Home

Updated 1 April 2026

Date of assessment 11 and 12 August 2026.

Ashfield Nursing Home is a care home that provides nursing and personal care for older adults. At the time of the assessment the service supported 34 people, including people living with advanced dementia and mental health conditions.

A Registered Manager application has been submitted and the registered provider is awaiting a decision from the CQC.

Ashfield Nursing Home was last rated Requires Improvement (published 13 February 2025).

This assessment was undertaken to follow up concerns identified at the previous assessment, including breaches of regulation and a subsequent Warning Notice issued under Regulation 17 (Good Governance). A comprehensive inspection had not been completed since 2019. We therefore extended this assessment to cover all 5 domains.

People were safe and well supported by knowledgeable staff who understood their needs and promoted their health, wellbeing and independence. Staffing levels were sufficient, medicines were managed safely, and care plans provided guidance to support people effectively. People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect, and were encouraged to make choices about their daily lives. Staff knew people well and delivered personalised care. Staff spoke positively about the service and felt supported by the management team, contributing to a positive and well-led culture.

The provider had made improvements since the previous assessment. Improvements have been made to strengthen governance, safety, and the quality of care provided. Oversight systems have been implemented to ensure environmental risks are mostly identified, monitored, and addressed promptly, with historic actions reviewed and outstanding issues resolved.

A comprehensive maintenance programme had been introduced, resulting in the replacement or repair of faulty equipment, refurbishment of damaged areas, and improvements to the overall living environment. Audit processes had been strengthened to mostly ensure identified issues were tracked through to completion, with clear management accountability and regular quality assurance reviews. Oral healthcare standards had improved through enhanced staff training, regular monitoring, and the consistent availability of appropriate supplies and support for residents. Bedding, furnishings, and residents' rooms were now maintained to a higher standard, promoting comfort, dignity, and choice. In addition, communal spaces had been enhanced with appropriate furniture and resources, creating a more homely environment and reducing any potential restrictions on residents' freedom and wellbeing. These changes have resulted in a safer, more responsive, and person-centred service. However, the service does recognise a further need to support residents with personalising their own rooms.

As a result, the provider was no longer in breach of the regulations relating to good governance.

Updated 1 April 2026

People living at Ashfield Nursing Home, including those who did not use words to communicate, gave clear and positive feedback through their actions and behaviours. We observed people smiling frequently, appearing relaxed and comfortable, and showing enjoyment through laughter, positive vocalisations, gestures and animated facial expressions. People were seen seeking reassurance from staff, sitting alongside them calmly, and responding positively to their presence, which demonstrated strong relationships, trust and emotional security.

Overall, people experienced positive outcomes, including emotional security, meaningful relationships and an improved quality of life. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of each resident and treated people with dignity, respect and kindness. Throughout the assessment, we saw evidence of care and support that had a positive impact on people’s day-to-day lives.

Overall, people and their relatives described feeling safe, settled, and well supported within the home. Residents spoke positively about their experience, with one person telling us, "It's alright here. I'm safe and content," while another said, "I've been in this same room for four years and feel it's safe for me." A relative commented, "She's happy enough here and sleeps a lot now. She's treated well enough from what I see. They made the transfer easy from her last care-home." Another family member highlighted changes made to improve safety, stating, "His bed and room has been changed to accommodate his needs and make it safer."

Comments about the kindness, compassion, and approach of staff were generally very positive. During the visit, several warm and caring interactions were observed between staff and residents, including staff offering reassurance, affection, and emotional support. Staff were seen spending meaningful time with residents, engaging in conversation, sharing laughter, dancing together, and responding sensitively to people's individual needs.

One particularly positive interaction was observed while speaking with a family friend. A male care worker quietly sat alongside a resident, gently talking with him and stroking his head to provide reassurance and comfort. The staff member appeared to have a good understanding of the resident's needs and recognised that he was becoming unsettled. The family friend, who had not previously witnessed this level of support, was visibly moved by the interaction and commented that it reassured her about the quality of care provided when she was not present.

However, 2 people shared concerns that affected their sense of security and wellbeing. One resident reported that other residents occasionally entered their room uninvited, saying, "Sometimes a few times a week, someone wanders in when I don't want them... it made me feel uneasy." Another person described feeling anxious about the behaviour of some residents in communal areas, explaining, "A couple of ladies are unpredictable and one throws her frame around. It scares me and gets shouty and noisy." While feedback was largely positive, these experiences highlighted the importance of maintaining residents' privacy and ensuring everyone feels comfortable, safe, and secure throughout the home.