- Care home
Ashill Lodge Care Home
Assessment report published 6 March 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 13 January 2026 to 06 February 2026. Ashill Lodge is a care home that can accommodate up to 35 people for either residential or dementia care.
We completed 2 unannounced site visits and 1 of those, was out of normal working hours. We observed the environment, spoke to people living in the service and spoke to staff. Off site we gained feedback from people’s relatives and healthcare professionals that visited the service. At the last inspection the provider was in breach of legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, nutrition and hydration, good governance and staffing. The service had made several improvements; however, they were still in breach of legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, and good governance.
We identified people were not always supported to manage risks appropriately. We found a lack of recording to consistently evidence people who required modified diets had them. Inaccurate information was recorded in choking risk assessments. There was a lack of evidence people’s skin integrity was monitored where there was an identified risk and fire emollients risk assessments lacked information to ensure the risk was managed appropriately. There was a lack of governance oversight to ensure people’s personal identifiable information was always kept secure and used appropriately.
However, the provider had made several improvements. They had implemented new systems that were embedded and gave them a clearer oversight of service and of peoples needs. The medicines were managed well and there was a collaborative working approach with healthcare professionals. People received a variety of nutritious meals and people liked living in the service and staff ensured people received person centred care.
This service has been in Special Measures since 31 May 2024. The service was still in breach in some areas we had previously identified on the last inspection, however, the provider demonstrated improvements had been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures. In instances where CQC has begun a process of regulatory action, we may publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded, if the action has been taken forward.
People's experience of this service
We gained direct feedback from people and their relatives. We spoke to 5 people living in the service at the time of our inspection. People told us they felt safe and felt there was adequate staffing. They felt staff supported them to meet their care and support needs. One person we spoke with said “the staff are very kind and caring. They are really good. I never feel rushed.” Another person told us, “Yes, I am happy here, I wouldn’t change anything”
Relatives told us they were happy with care that was provided. They said people were safe and well cared for. A relative told us “I feel [Relative] is happy, which is huge for me, [Relative] has a good relationship with the carers and chef. [Relative} is safe there.” Another relative said “The size of the rooms. The level of knowledge and interest staff have is probably the best we have come across and it is consistent from the manager down. They are doing a great job”
While people expressed general satisfaction with their care and treatment, our assessment found some elements of care did not meet the expected standards.