Updated 5 February 2025
Date of Assessment: 18 July 2025 to 26 August 2025. Aspen Lodge provides accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 25 older people, some of whom were living with dementia, mental health conditions and physical disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people living at the location. This assessment was in response to CQC receiving information of concern. The provider was in breach of 3 regulations relating to infection prevention control practice, consent, and governance arrangements. Systems were not consistently safe, medicines systems, risk management and people’s environments were not consistently safe, and staff were not following infection prevention control procedures. People were not always involved in their assessments and care plans, and evidence-based care was not always in place. Reviews were inconsistent and the principles of the mental capacity act had not always been applied. People did not always feel able to make choices and staff were not consistently maintaining independence. People did not always have person-centred care and there was an inconsistent approach to listening and learning from people’s feedback. Adaptations for people with dementia were not always in place. The systems in place to manage and govern the service were not consistently effective and the provider’s vision for the service was not met. However, the provider had systems in place to learn from incidents and accidents and people were safeguarded from abuse. People were supported by safely recruited and trained staff and staff collaborated well with other professionals to ensure people had their health needs met. Staff worked to ensure guidance from other professionals was followed and people had their needs and preferences considered when they were at the end of their life. The provider had systems in place to meet individual communication needs. Staff were supported and the provider had an equality and diversity policy in place. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns we found at this inspection.