Ashill Lodge Care Home

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. At our last assessment we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to Good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

At our previous inspection, we identified breaches of Regulation 12 (safe care and treatment). At this inspection, we found sufficient improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of these regulations.

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 had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. Records of incidents and accidents were completed and the management team reviewed these to identify any themes or trends. Staff were confident on how to report concerns. One staff member said “I would report anything that puts a resident at risk, including any abuse, injury, neglect or medication. I would report this by telling my manager and I would document details in the residents care notes and complete an incident form.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. People’s needs were assessed before they moved in. Staff monitored changes in people’s health and escalated concerns to the management team and external professionals to ensure people’s health and care needs were met. One healthcare professional told us, “I find them receptive to my recommendations and always want the call followed up with email for written guidance and confirmation. I have no cause for concern with my interactions with the home.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Staff concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately. The provider had systems in place to investigate and take action on allegations of abuse. Staff were knowledgeable of how to report abuse and told us they had received safeguarding training. One staff member said. “I have completed safeguarding training. I learned how to recognise the different types of abuse and neglect, identify warning signs, respond appropriately to concerns, and follow the correct reporting procedures.”

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. People told us they were involved in the planning of their care needs. We reviewed a number of individual risk assessments that supported people’s needs safely. These were reviewed regularly and updated when people’s needs changed.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. The environment was clean and homely. The provider had effective processes in place to monitor that the environment was maintained and safe. One relative said, “It feels like a home. It’s just comfortable and I can relax there. I never tell them I am coming and [family member] is always happy. It’s peace of mind, it’s brilliant.”

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. Safe recruitment processes were completed, pre-employment checks were carried out appropriately before staff commenced their employment. Staff received regular supervision. People told us they felt there were enough staff. One relative said, “There always seem to be enough staff when I have been there. If we are looking for staff, there are a number around.”

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. The home was clean and free of clutter. Staff understood their responsibilities in reducing the risk of spread of infection. We observed staff wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the site visit. We found appropriate measures to be in place by the kitchen staff to ensure risks of Infection Prevention Control (IPC) were kept to a minimum in the service.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened. Medicines were stored safely and records were completed appropriately. Staff had received training and regular competencies. We observed a staff member administering medicines with a person-centred approach. The provider carried out regular checks and audits of the medicines to ensure clear oversight.