We carried out a review of the data available to us about Aspen Court on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Aspen Court, you can give feedback on this service.
¿ The provider and the registered manager had put robust plans in place which ensured people admitted to the service with COVID19 were able to be cared for.
¿ The registered manager had used national good practice guidance to prepare the environment. They had consulted with other health care professionals in the area to make them aware and seek their support for people being admitted to the home.
¿ Arrangements had been put in place for the separate designated area of the home to have its own colour coordinated bedding, towels, crockery and cutlery and waste disposal systems.
¿ There were areas of home set aside for staff to change their PPE. Staff had been trained in how to do this. Guidance and support were also available for essential visitors.
¿ Suitable arrangements were in place to support relatives visiting people who needed end of life care.
¿ We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines as a designated care setting.
Aspen Court is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 53 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 63 people and is arranged over three floors. The service provides care to people living with dementia.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were well-supported by staff who ensured they lived in a safe, clean and comfortable environment which was suited to their needs. Staff were adept at administering people’s medicines. They knew people’s personal risks and what actions to take to prevent accidents and incidents occurring in the home. Lessons had been learnt by the provider and the manager and changes had been implemented.
Staff had undergone pre-employment checks to assess their suitability to work in the home. They had been provided with an induction and training. Additional support to staff was provided through supervision meetings with their line manager.
Staff worked well with other professionals to meet people’s needs. People enjoyed their meals and their individual diets were catered for. One person said, “The meals were nice.”
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff were kind to people. They protected people’s dignity, respected their wishes and promoted their independence. Staff listened to relatives about people’s needs.
People’s care plans were up-to-date, accurate and included people’s choices and preferences. The plans were regularly reviewed and included changes to people’s needs and their wishes about their end of life care.
The manager had recently provided additional hours to improve the activities in the home. A weekly activities plan was in place. Individual activities were displayed on notice boards. Staff changed the plan to meet people’s choices when required.
People and their relatives liked the new manager. The manager had appropriately addressed concerns and complaints. The manager evaluated the effectiveness of the service using auditing and surveys and made the necessary improvements.
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 this service was good (published 3 June 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
This was the first inspection of Aspen Court since it was registered with the Care Quality Commission in November 2015. The premises had previously been owned by another provider.
Aspen Court is registered to provide personal and nursing care to a maximum of 63 older people, including people who live with dementia or a dementia related condition.
A registered manager was in post. 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.
People said they were safe and staff were kind and approachable. There were sufficient staff to provide safe and individual care to people. People were protected as staff had received training about safeguarding and knew how to respond to any allegation of abuse. When new staff were appointed, thorough vetting checks were carried out to make sure they were suitable to work with people who needed care and support.
Risk assessments were in place and they accurately identified current risks to the person as well as ways for staff to minimise or appropriately manage those risks. Staff knew the needs of the people they supported to provide individual care. Care was provided with kindness and people’s privacy and dignity were respected. Records were in place that reflected the care that staff provided.
Appropriate training was provided and staff were supervised and supported. Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and best interest decision making, when people were unable to make decisions themselves. People were able to make choices where they were able about most aspects of their daily lives. People received a varied and balanced diet to meet their nutritional needs. However people who lived with dementia were not always encouraged to make choices with regard to their food.
People had access to health care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment. Staff followed advice given by professionals to make sure people received the care they needed. Systems were in place for people to receive their medicines in a safe way. However, we have made a recommendation about the management of medicines.
Changes had been made to the environment by the new provider. It was brighter and most areas had been refurbished. There were plans that it would be designed to promote the orientation and independence of people who lived with dementia. We have made a recommendation that the environment should be designed according to best practice guidelines for people who live with dementia.
Activities and entertainment were available to keep people engaged and stimulated.
A complaints procedure was available. People told us they would feel confident to speak to staff about any concerns if they needed to. The provider undertook a range of audits to check on the quality of care provided.
People had the opportunity to give their views about the service. There was regular consultation with people and/ or family members and their views were used to improve the service. People had access to an advocate if required.
Staff and relatives said the management team were approachable. Communication was effective to ensure staff and relatives were kept up to date about any changes in people’s care and support needs and the running of the service.