CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ash Tree House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were in place. This included safe visiting, admissions, testing, use of personal protective equipment, hygiene and outbreak management.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not rated or assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not rated or assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not rated or assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not rated or assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and COVID-19 safety measures were in place.
Inspectors visited on 8 March 2021. This was an announced, targeted inspection focused on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
They were assured about visitor safety, social distancing, shielding, admissions, personal protective equipment, testing, hygiene, outbreak management and the infection control policy.
The home had designated staff, regular COVID-19 testing and a separate visitor pod with a perspex screen. People could also stay in contact with loved ones by video call, telephone and window visits.
The service was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or a rated score for the five questions.
Safer visiting
A separate visitor pod with a perspex screen meant visitors did not need to go through the home. Visitors also had their temperatures taken.
“A pod had been constructed with a perspex screen for visitors to use.” from the report
Contact with loved ones
People were supported to keep in regular contact with family and friends through video calls, telephone calls and window visits.
“People were also supported to maintain regular contact with loved ones through video calls, telephone calls and visits at the window.” from the report
Infection control checks
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements covering testing, personal protective equipment, hygiene, admissions and managing outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Dedicated staff
The home used staff who worked only at this setting, which supported its infection control arrangements.
“The home had designated staff that only worked at this setting.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01Are staff still designated to work only at this setting?
- 02How are visitors currently screened and kept separate from people living in the home?
- 03How often are people using the service and staff tested for infections?
- 04What arrangements are now used for safe admissions and managing any infection outbreak?
- 05When was the infection prevention and control policy last updated?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures only, and the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 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, May 2019
Rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind and well-managed care, with Outstanding support for people's individual choices and activities.
This was an unannounced inspection on 27 February 2019. Two inspectors and an expert by experience spoke with 19 people living at the home, seven relatives, staff and managers. They also reviewed care files, staff records, training records, audits and other documents.
The home was rated Good for safe, effective, caring and well-led services. It was rated Outstanding for being responsive, meaning care and activities were especially well matched to people's wishes, routines and interests.
Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines systems, clean and well-maintained premises, complete care plans and trained staff. People were treated with dignity and involved in decisions. The report says no concerns were identified at this inspection. The previous inspection in August 2016 also rated the home Good overall.
Exceptional activities
People could choose from many activities, outings and community connections. The home also supported individual wishes through its Make a wish/Magic moments project.
“Activities at the home were chosen by people who used the service in consultation with the lifestyle manager and there was a huge range of activities and outings on offer.” from the report
Individual choice
The home supported people's routines, interests and independence. It continued activities and outings even when risks such as falls had increased, using training and guidance instead.
“People were given full choice and control over their lives wherever this was possible.” from the report
Safe care
Inspectors found regular risk reviews, sufficient staffing, safe medicines arrangements and appropriate procedures for safeguarding and emergencies.
“Risk assessments were in place, reviewed and updated regularly and risks were well managed at the home.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was exceptionally clean, with infection control arrangements and suitable protective equipment for staff.
“The premises were exceptionally clean throughout with no malodours anywhere in the home.” from the report
Good support and planning
Assessments and care plans were thorough and current. Staff had induction, ongoing training, refresher training and regular supervision.
“Staff were knowledgeable and competent. They had a thorough staff induction programme, on-going training and refresher training.” from the report
Ground-floor carpet
minorInspectors said a carpet in a communal ground-floor area needed replacing. The replacement process had started after the inspection.
“The carpet in a communal area on the ground floor needed replacing.” from the report
More dementia signage
minorThe home was still obtaining more signs for the area used by people living with dementia. Ask whether this work has been completed.
“The service was in the process of acquiring more signage for the area where people were living with dementia.” from the report
- 01What has happened to the high number of falls identified before the inspection, and what effect did the extra falls training have?
- 02Has the communal ground-floor carpet been replaced?
- 03Has the extra signage for the dementia area been installed?
- 04How would you match my relative's routines, interests and cultural or religious preferences to activities and meals?
- 05How will you increase staffing or support if my relative's needs become more complex?
This was an unannounced inspection that looked at all five CQC questions and the overall quality and safety of the care home. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 May 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 Ash Tree House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- September 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 23 June 2014.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
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What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Wigan
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 £1,260 a week. 92 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
“He developed a close affinity with Terence, spending time talking with him before he retired to bed and looking after his needs during the night.”
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.