CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ascot House - Scunthorpe
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- Inspectors were assured about most infection prevention measures, including visitors, social distancing, admissions, PPE, testing and outbreak management. They were only somewhat assured about the premises because the laundry needed new flooring and paintwork needed updating.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Ascot House - Scunthorpe was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 safety measures, with some premises work still needed.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 5 February 2021. It focused on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic, rather than a full inspection of all aspects of care.
Inspectors were assured about visitor safety, social distancing, admissions, PPE, testing and the management of infection outbreaks. Flexible meal times, isolation care plans and supplies of PPE were examples of good practice.
The inspectors were only somewhat assured about the layout and hygiene of the premises. The laundry and cleaning store needed new flooring, and paintwork needed updating. Work was ongoing, and the provider was signposted to resources to develop its approach.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not give a full rating for the home's overall quality or for the other areas of care.
Visitor safety
Visitors had checks and were given information to help them stay safe during visits.
“Visitors policies were in place to ensure everyone's safety.” from the report
Infection control supplies
The home had PPE available throughout the service and suitable clinical waste bins.
“The service had good supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) readily available throughout the service.” from the report
Isolation planning
Residents isolating because of COVID-19 had care plans and risk assessments for the period of isolation.
“Each resident in isolation had a COVID 19 care plan and risk assessments in place for the duration of their isolation” from the report
Social distancing
Meal times were made more flexible to help people keep apart.
“Flexible meal times had been introduced to promote social distancing.” from the report
Premises needed improvement
minorThe laundry and cleaning store needed new flooring, and paintwork across the service needed updating. Work was ongoing when inspectors visited.
“The laundry and the cleaning store required new flooring and paintwork needed updating across the service” from the report
- 01Has the new flooring been fitted in the laundry and cleaning store?
- 02Has the paintwork across the home been updated since the inspection?
- 03What resources or support did the provider use after being signposted to develop its infection prevention and control approach?
- 04How are COVID-19 testing, isolation plans and risk assessments managed now?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under Safe during the coronavirus pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 March 2021 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, November 2019
Rated Good overall, but inspectors found infection control problems and rated the home Requires Improvement for safety.
Inspectors visited unannounced on 2 and 3 October 2019. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives and staff. They observed care and checked care, medicine, staff and management records.
The main problem was infection control, especially in the laundry. Some surfaces and flooring could not be cleaned properly, and clean cloths were not fully protected from contamination. The management team acted during the inspection and later said a new laundry would be built.
The home was rated Good overall. Effective, caring, responsive and well-led were all rated Good. Safe was rated Requires Improvement, having fallen from Good at the previous inspection. Staffing, medicines, care planning, food and activities were otherwise found to meet people's needs.
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives said staff were kind, caring, compassionate and attentive. Staff respected privacy, dignity, individuality and independence.
“Staff treat me well I am proud of them. They are kind and caring.” from the report
Medicines managed well
Inspectors found that people received medicines as prescribed. Staff were trained and audits were used to identify and act on problems.
“People's medicines were effectively managed. Staff undertook training in safe medicine management and people received their medicines as prescribed.” from the report
Suitable staffing
Staffing levels and the mix of skills were monitored. People said staff were available when they needed help.
“The management team monitored staffing levels and skill mix, to ensure people received timely care and support.” from the report
Personalised support and activities
Care records included people's routines, life histories, hobbies and interests. The home offered activities, outings and events involving relatives.
“A programme of activities was provided this included arts and crafts, reminiscence and pampering sessions.” from the report
Laundry infection control
seriousThe laundry had exposed plaster and brickwork, gaps around flooring and shelving that could not be cleaned effectively. Clean cloths were not fully protected from cross-contamination.
“Infection prevention was not always robust. We found in the laundry behind the washer and dryer, there was exposed plaster and brickwork that could not be effectively cleaned.” from the report
Dementia-friendly contrast
minorSome corridors did not have enough colour contrast between the walls and handrails. Inspectors said this might have helped people living with dementia move around more safely.
“Some corridors within the home did not have definition of contrasting colour between the painted walls and handrails which may have helped people living with dementia to mobilise.” from the report
- 01Has the planned new laundry been built, and how are clean and used laundry items kept separate now?
- 02What changes were made after inspectors found exposed plaster, damaged flooring and shelving that could not be cleaned effectively?
- 03How often are infection control checks now carried out, and who reviews the results?
- 04What has been done about the lack of colour contrast between some corridor walls and handrails?
- 05How will you make sure staffing levels and skill mix remain suitable for my relative's needs?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five key questions; the registered personal care service was not being provided at the time. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 November 2019 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Ascot House - Scunthorpe
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 January 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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32 live-in carers within about an hour of North Lincolnshire
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £980 to £1,300 a week. 29 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“What truly stands out is how mindful and attentive she is to all of my medical needs, always going above and beyond to ensure I’m comfortable and well cared for.”
“Martin was more than a carer, he managed the home and became my uncle's best friend, enriching his life during his last few years.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.