Ashbrook Nursing Home

Updated 5 September 2023

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

The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector, a specialist nursing advisor, and an Expert by Experience. 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

Ashbrook Nursing Home is a ‘care home’ in which people receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. 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 but they were on leave on the day of our inspection. We were supported by the deputy manager and the operations manager, who was a representative of the provider to oversee the management of the service.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we already held about the service. This included feedback from professionals and notifications. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the care manager, the operations manager, the chief operating officer, 10 nursing and care staff, 3 members of domestic and laundry staff and 2 kitchen staff.

We carried out observations of people’s care and support and spoke with 15 people for their feedback on the home and 4 relatives, who were visiting their family members who lived in the home.

We reviewed documents and records that related to people’s care and the management of the service. We reviewed 9 care plans, which included risk assessments. We looked at other documents such as those for medicine management, staff training, staff recruitment, quality assurance and infection control.

After the inspection we spoke with the registered manager in a conference call to seek clarification and validate evidence found.

Updated 5 September 2023

About the service

Ashbrook Nursing Home is a care registered to provide nursing and personal care to older people, some of whom have dementia care needs. It is registered to accommodate and support up to 70 people. At the time of the inspection, 70 people were living at the home.

The home has three floors with adapted facilities and en-suite rooms.

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

There were systems to protect people from the risk of abuse. Potential risks to people were assessed and monitored. However, some risk assessments required further development with more suitable guidance for staff, so they could provide safe care. Staff were recruited safely and appropriately. There were enough staff to meet people's care needs. Systems were in place to record and monitor accidents and incidents in the home. Medicines were managed safely and administered to people as prescribed. People were protected from the risks associated with the spread of infection.

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. People's needs were assessed before they started to use the service. People were supported by staff who had received professional training and ongoing development. Staff worked with other health and social care professionals to ensure people were in good health.

People were encouraged to maintain a healthy balanced diet and were provided food and drink that met their preferences and needs. We have made a recommendation about improving the meal service experiences for people to make them more comfortable and enjoyable. Staff knew people who used the service well and they provided care and support to them in a kind and compassionate way. People were treated with respect and their views were listened to and their requests acted upon.

People received person-centred care. Care plans provided guidance on how to support people, in accordance with their choices and communication needs. People were offered a range of activities that were engaging and meaningful. People and their relatives were positive about the management team and could approach them with any concerns. Complaints were responded to appropriately.

People were positive about the care and support they received from staff and the management team. There was a positive culture in the home and equality, diversity and inclusion was promoted.

The provider had systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services provided. The home worked in partnership with services within the community to help maintain people's social involvement.

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 the service was Good (report published 7 August 2019).

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.