Ashcroft Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

People, staff and visitors were protected again the spread of COVID-19. The provider carried out regular testing and screening procedures to ensure visitors could safely visit. Relatives were kept updated on any changes.

Staff were observed to be using personal protective equipment, such as gloves and masks in line with current guidance.

Staff received infection prevention and control (IPC) and donning and doffing training.

Risk assessments were in place for people and staff regarding individual risk factors of COVID-19.

We found the following examples of good practice.

The provider had arrangements in place to ensure people and staff were tested for COVID-19 in accordance with current government guidance. Risk assessments were carried out with people and staff to ensure they could safely live and work at the service.

The provider had contingency plans for staffing in the event of an infection outbreak. This included using their own bank staff who worked exclusively in Ashcroft Care Home.

The service has three floors. The registered manager split the staff team in three – one team on each floor for each shift. This reduced the risk of staff moving between different areas of the home and reduced the risk of any infection spreading.

The provider had ensured people were able to maintain contact with relatives during restrictions on visitors. The provider was planning how to arrange safe visiting during the winter in accordance with current government guidance.

There were restrictions on visiting the service. There was a clear system for visitors in place to ensure they followed the current guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing. All visitors were screened for symptoms of respiratory or other infections before being allowed to enter the home.

Further information is in the findings below.

This inspection took place on the 25 and 26 October 2018 and was unannounced. Ashcroft Care Home is a nursing home that provides 53 places for older people and people with Dementia. There were 49 persons in the home at the time of our inspection.

The service was last inspected 10 November 2015 and the rating for that inspection was Good.

There was a registered manager in post who was available throughout the inspection. 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 received safe care. Staff were aware of their responsibility to keep people safe. Risks were assessed and managed to reflect people’s current needs. Staffing levels were sufficient. Safe recruitment was followed to ensure staff the staff employed were suitable to care for people. People received their medicine as prescribed and this was administered by staff who were competent. The provider was following relevant guidance for infection control. Systems were in place to monitor accidents and incidents to identify any lessons learned and make improvements where required.

People received extremely good care that was effective to their needs. People were supported by staff who were knowledgeable and suitably trained. There was a strong emphasis to ensure people receive sufficient to eat and drink. People’s healthcare needs were monitored to ensure their day to day needs were met. The service involved people in decisions about their care. People used equipment and technology to ensure they could do things independently. The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA). The service had an MCA champion who ensured people were given choices about who could provide their care and staff understood the requirements about consent and people’s capacity.

There was a strong person-centred culture throughout the service. Staff were sensitive to times when people needed caring and compassionate support. People were extremely positive about the caring nature of staff. People were treated with dignity and respect and their choices and preferences were adhered to.

Care was tailored to meet individual needs. People were supported without exception to lead meaningful and independent lives. Information was provided in formats that were accessible to people. Complaints and concerns were comprehensively recorded and fully Investigated with lessons learned and action taken appropriately.

The service was extremely well led, with a clear focus on person centred care, which empowered people and their relatives to make decisions about their care. Care planning involved people and their families to make their wishes known and enabled them to be as independent as possible. The quality assurance systems in place effectively monitored the service. The registered manager responded positively and was proactive to change and improving the service.

We found people who were able to gave consent to their care and treatment. A person told us, 'If I say I want something different they come and talk with me about it. Up until now everything I have asked for I have had. They have been very good.'

We found people were provided with a varied and nutritional diet. A person who used the service told us, 'There is plenty to eat, it (the food) is lovely.' Another person told us, 'I can have a snack later, but don't very often before dinner.'

We found that suitable arrangements were in place to manage people's medication and ensure they received any medication they needed. A person who used the service told us, 'I have to take lots of tablets. They (staff) always say it is tablet time is that alright?'

We found there were sufficient staff to meet people's needs. A relative told us, 'There are enough staff here, they all have their own tasks so they can care for everyone.'

We found the provider maintained records that were accurate and fit for purpose. A relative told us, 'Staff write daily notes, they have shown these to me.