The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Ashcroft Care Home Limited Also known as Ashcroft Care Home

Halstead Road, Eight Ash Green, Colchester, Essex, CO6 3QH (01206) 767367

Provided and run by:
Ashcroft Care Home Limited

All Inspections

20 November 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

Our inspection of 20 September 2012 found that the provider was not meeting one or more of the essential standards. We received information from the local authority informing us of the serious concerns to people's welfare and safety identified at their visit to the service on 16 November 2012, which gave us reasons to return to inspect this service.

We were informed by the UK Border Agency that on the19 November 2012 three employees were arrested and that a fourth person is still under investigation.

On 20 November 2012, we found that the provider had failed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people using the service. We found major failings around the administration and storage of medication and a lack of information, understanding and measures about infection control. We also found that premises were poorly maintained and that the risks associated with unsafe and unsuitable premises had not been properly assessed. We found that there continued to be a lack of appropriate equipment in place to care for people using the service. This meant that the provider had failed to protect the health, safety and welfare of people using the service.

We have referred our concerns to the local fire service and environmental health services.

We were informed by the local authority that on the 23 November 2012 all of the people living in Ashcroft Care Home Limited were moved to a new service.

20 September 2012

During a themed inspection looking at Dignity and Nutrition

People told us what it was like to live at this home and described how they were treated by staff and their involvement in making choices about their care. They also told us about the quality and choice of food and drink available. This was because this inspection was part of an inspection programme to assess whether older people living in care homes are treated with dignity and respect and whether their nutritional needs are met.

The inspection team was led by a CQC inspector joined by a second inspector and an "expert by experience" who has had experience of using services and who can provide that perspective.

We followed up two anonymous concerns raised via our website, 'Your Experience form' and found evidence to support some of the issues raised in relation to a lack of personal care, meals and mealtimes.

We spoke with 10 people using the service and two relatives. Overall we received positive comments about the service. One person told us, 'I have a nice room and I can get up when I want to'. One person said, 'The staff treat me well, do everything for me, they're beautiful'. Other comments included, 'I have no problems, it is a very nice care home' and 'I have a lovely room and I am quite content'. However, people told us that there was a lack of activities. One person told us, 'I'm not allowed in the garden alone' and 'I can't go out, unless a member of staff is with me'.

People told us that there were usually two or three choices of meals for lunch. When we asked people what was for lunch, one person said, 'I've no idea at all'. Another person using the service said, 'A lot of people living here wouldn't know or be able to choose.' One person told us that staff had provided them with a menu card and had helped them to pick out what they wanted to eat and said that the 'Food is wonderful'.

One relative told us, 'I think the staff are lovely, however there is minimal engagement and activities taking place'. One relative spoken with said, 'My (relative) was admitted to the home as they had been unable to manage at home, I have no problems with the staff, if it was not for them my relative would not be in such good health'.

20 September 2012

During a routine inspection

We inspected this service as part of an inspection programme on 20 September 2012 to assess whether older people living in care homes are treated with dignity and respect and whether their nutritional needs are met. Our observations and discussions with people using the service and their feedback gave us reasons to check elements of the other standards reflected in this report. We also followed up two 'anonymous' concerns raised via the CQC website, 'Your Experience form'.

We found that medication was not being safely recorded and administered in accordance with instructions, which was putting people using the service at risk of their health deteriorating. We also found that the environment was not being adequately maintained and that there was a lack of appropriate equipment in place to care for people using the service. Staff were using furniture in an unsafe manner to prevent people falling or getting out of bed. This did not protect people from the risks of injury and did not promote their independence and comfort.

We spoke with 10 people using the service and two relatives. People told us that overall they were happy with the service they received. One person told us, 'The service is very nice and clean. One person said, 'This is a very nice care home' and 'I have a lovely room, I am quite content'.