Ashurst Lodge

Updated 11 November 2021

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Ashurst Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We assessed the information we held about the service, including registration reports and notifications the provider is required to send us when certain significant events take place within the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service, two members of staff and the two joint managers of the service, one of whom was the registered manager and the other was the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also looked at three people’s care records, two people’s medicines records and three staff files in relation to recruitment. We also checked a range of other records including cleaning checklists and health and safety audits.

After the inspection

We met with the registered manager and nominated individual via remote video call to discuss the management of the service and give feedback. We also reviewed some additional documents we had asked them to send us, including policies, staff rotas and training records.

Updated 11 November 2021

About the service

Ashurst Lodge is a residential care home providing personal care and support with daily living tasks to eight people with mental health related support needs at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 15 people in one adapted building with single bedrooms, most of which have en-suite bathroom facilities.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People gave positive feedback about the service. One person said, “It’s good here. I like it here.”

There were systems to ensure people’s medicines were stored safely and they received them when needed. However, instructions about administering medicines prescribed to be given only as required (PRN) were lacking detail.

We have made a recommendation to the provider about reviewing protocols for PRN medicines so they contain sufficient information about how and when to administer them in line with best practice.

Staff had the knowledge, skills and support they needed to support people effectively. They knew how to recognise signs that a person may be unwell and how to promote healthy living. People received the support they needed to meet their healthcare needs and to eat and drink well. The service worked well with other agencies to support this. However, the individual support people needed to maintain healthy lifestyles was not always explicit in their care plans although staff were knowledgeable about their needs.

We have made a recommendation to the provider about ensuring records are clear enough to ensure people receive consistent support to follow medical advice about their healthcare needs.

People received support from staff who knew how to keep them safe. Risks were assessed and managed appropriately. The provider agreed to improve their written information about these as there was a minor risk that staff who did not know people well would not otherwise have sufficient information to support people safely at all times. There were enough staff to care for people safely and staff understood how to recognise and report abuse.

The provider carried out safety checks around the premises and most of these were effective. One window was not appropriately restricted at the time of our inspection, but the provider addressed this immediately. There were some issues with kitchen hygiene, which the provider said they would resolve with a more robust night cleaning regime. We will revisit this at our next inspection to ensure health and safety checks are effective enough to identify problems more proactively. Other infection prevention and control measures, including those designed to reduce risks associated with the COVID-19 virus, were in place.

People’s needs were thoroughly assessed so the provider had enough information to plan their care and support according to their needs and preferences and in line with current guidance. People were fully involved in this process and had ongoing input into planning and reviewing their care. Care plans took into account people’s goals and expectations, issues related to equality and diversity, and the care and support they received in the past. The service supported people to meet their social and cultural needs.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The home environment was set up in a way that promoted these things. People were involved in making choices about their home such as the décor.

Staff were caring and empathetic. They treated people with respect, made them feel valued and understood, and promoted privacy and dignity. The service supported people in a way that focused on building and maintaining independence, to enable people to work towards being able to live outside of a care home environment.

The service was responsive to people’s complaints and concerns and the provider used a range of tools to continually review and improve the quality of care. Managers were supportive and approachable and promoted an open, inclusive culture. People and staff were valued and involved in the running of the service, were able to give feedback and felt listened to. The provider promoted equality and had established links with the local community.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 29/01/2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.