CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Ashbourne Lodge
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including PPE, testing, cleaning, admissions, outbreaks and visits. The provider also said it had measures to reduce the risks from COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Ashbourne Lodge was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control during the COVID-19 response.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 13 January 2022. Inspectors looked mainly at infection prevention and control, and asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
The home had visiting checks, PPE and testing arrangements. Inspectors were assured that the home was managing admissions, outbreaks, cleaning, social distancing and visits safely.
Inspectors also found individual care plans about visiting and going out, regular cleaning and staff training. The overall service and Safe question were inspected but not rated.
Visitor safety
Visitors had to follow clear infection control steps, including screening, testing guidance and PPE requirements.
“The service had clear visiting protocols in place with robust infection, control and prevention procedures that all visitors were required to follow.” from the report
Support for people with dementia
The home used practical and creative ways to help people with dementia wash their hands and understand the pandemic.
“The service had identified innovative ways of supporting people living with Dementia to regularly wash their hands and stay safe.” from the report
Cleaning
The home was cleaned regularly during the day, including areas that people often touched.
“The service was regularly cleaned throughout the day.” from the report
Staff infection control
Staff had infection prevention training and were observed wearing the correct PPE during the inspection.
“we observed staff to be wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) throughout our inspection.” from the report
Personalised visiting plans
Care plans and risk assessments recorded people's choices about visitors and going out during the pandemic.
“People had individualised plans of care and risk assessments which detailed their choices about receiving visitors and going out during the pandemic.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the home's current visiting rules and how are visitors screened?
- 02How does the home now manage COVID-19 or other infection outbreaks?
- 03How often are high-touch areas cleaned, and how is this recorded?
- 04How are people supported to make choices about visitors and going out?
- 05What staffing pressures are there now, and what measures are in place if staff are absent?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, with questions about COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated overall or for the other four questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 January 2022 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, January 2020
Rated Outstanding overall; inspectors found exceptional, personalised care, with safety rated Good.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 04 November 2019. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and health and social care professionals. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff recruitment files and management records.
People and relatives gave very positive feedback. Inspectors found kind and respectful relationships, personalised care, meaningful activities and good support for people living with dementia. Staff supported people to make choices, remain independent and stay connected with family and the local community.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Effective, caring, responsive and well-led care were rated Outstanding. Safe care was rated Good. The overall rating had improved from Good at the previous inspection, published on 27 April 2017.
Kind and respectful care
People, relatives and professionals consistently described staff as caring and dedicated. Inspectors saw positive relationships and support that respected people's dignity.
“People and their relatives felt they received exceptional care and staff were extremely caring.” from the report
Personalised dementia support
Staff knew people very well and helped them find purpose in everyday activities. The whole staff team received training to support people living with dementia.
“The staff were passionate about providing exceptional individualised care for people living with dementia.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make choices and take part in everyday tasks such as preparing food, laundry, cleaning and gardening.
“People were empowered to have as much control and independence as possible.” from the report
Strong activities and community links
The home offered group and one-to-one activities, visits from local groups, community outings and opportunities to maintain faith and family connections.
“Local groups were welcomed into the home, including children from local schools and community groups.” from the report
Open leadership
The management team welcomed feedback and used complaints, incidents and suggestions to improve care. Staff felt supported and able to contribute.
“There was an open and supportive culture, which focused on delivering the best possible service for people.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and record my relative's individual needs before they move in?
- 02How would you support my relative to remain independent and take part in meaningful activities?
- 03How would you adapt communication and care if my relative has dementia or finds it difficult to communicate?
- 04How would you support my relative's food, drink and nutritional needs, including any special diet?
- 05How would you record and follow my relative's wishes about end of life care?
This was an unannounced inspection that looked at the home, the care provided and all five CQC key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 January 2020 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 Ashbourne Lodge
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2020Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- April 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 29 August 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.
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62 live-in carers within about an hour of Derbyshire
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 £1,010 to £1,260 a week. 51 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Ernest is an amazing professional carer who delivers care from the heart.”
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
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.