Ashton View Nursing Home

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence.

This is the first assessment since this provider took over ownership of the home. This key question has been rated good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

The provider used both the local authority’s referral documentation, and their own pre-admission assessments to gather information about people to determine if the home was suitable and could meet their needs. Information gathered though this process had also been used to assist with the care planning and risk assessment process. We reviewed a number of care plans and risk assessments and confirmed these mirrored the information provided during assessment and reflected people’s wishes about how care should be provided.

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards.

Clinical review meetings had taken place, during which reviews of people’s care had been completed, issues or clinical concerns identified, and actions generated to address these. The review ensured best practice was being followed in all aspects of people’s care and support.

Where people required their food or drink to be modified due to risks of choking, this had been done in line with International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) guidance. IDDSI isa global framework for texture-modified foods and thickened liquids, which providers are expected to adhere to.

Steps were being taken to ensure best practice relating to dementia care and dementia friendly environments was followed. The provider’s dementia lead was supporting the home, which was undergoing a period of renovation. Orientation boards were in place, which were up to date. Pictorial signage was in place on communal doors such as bathrooms and toilets, with directional signage in place to indicate where these rooms could be located. However, due to the layout of each floor, we suggested further directional signage would be beneficial, to help people orientate themselves. People had access to a secure rooftop garden on the second floor, which allowed them the opportunity of fresh air and sunlight. We were told people from other floors could ask to use the garden, though no set system was in place for those people living with dementia or with memory impairments, who may not remember there was a garden to access.

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. They made sure people only needed to tell their story once by sharing their assessment of needs when people moved between different services.

The provider worked closely with other professionals, to ensure people’s care needs were met. Referrals had been made in a timely way to services such as the falls team, dietician service and speech and language therapy. Care records explained why the referral had been made and logged feedback received following any consultations or visits.

The provider utilised the ‘resident of the day’ model. This involved a different person on each unit being subject to a full review of their care. This involved staff from various departments, such as housekeeping, kitchen, maintenance and activities spending time with the person so they could provide feedback on their care and express their preferences. The model aims to make people feel valued and give staff a deeper understanding of individual needs and preferences.

Following handover, management held a daily flash meeting with key staff to discuss important information from the previous shift, changes in residents' needs, concerns, incidents, appointments, clinical issues and any actions that needed to be followed up

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.

People had access to a range of medical and therapy professionals, including a GP, speech and language therapists, dieticians and podiatrists. Relatives spoke positively about the support their family members had received to stay well. One told us, “Yes, [relative is supported to stay well]. When the staff thought they had a urinary tract infection, it was looked into right away, a doctor was contacted and I was contacted to let me know.” Another relative stated, “My relative was taken to hospital when they became unwell, I know the chiropodist visits, and they go to see the dentist.”

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves.

A range of monitoring was completed on a daily and weekly basis, this covered areas such as continence, repositioning, personal hygiene, oral care, food and fluid intake. Overall, monitoring charts had been completed consistently and in sufficient detail.

Wound charts, used to document and monitor any cuts, bruises or wounds had also been completed consistently. Each chart reviewed was detailed, and body maps and photographs had been used to monitor progress and demonstrate improvement.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.

People’s care records contained consent forms, which covered a range of areas including consent to care and treatment.

Where people lack capacity to consent, unless they have previously appointed a lasting power of attorney (LPA) to make health and welfare decisions on their behalf, any decisions need to be made by following the best interest process. Where required, the best interest process had been used appropriately to make relevant decisions. These included for staff to provide care, including personal care, the use of equipment, such as sensor beams in bedrooms to help prevent falls, lap straps where people required a wheelchair and the administration of medicines.