CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Ashcroft Care Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Ashcroft Care Home: targeted inspection found infection controls were largely in place, but cleaning records and policies needed updating.
Inspectors made an unannounced, targeted visit on 24 February 2022. They looked mainly at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
The home was carrying out testing and screening. Staff used protective equipment and had infection control training. Inspectors were assured that people were admitted safely and that visitors were protected from infection.
There was an active COVID-19 outbreak during the visit. Inspectors found no record of cleaning high-touch points and no formal audit of cleaning schedules. The infection control policy was not specific to the home and did not include the latest visiting guidance.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not provide an overall quality rating or ratings for the five questions.
Testing and screening
The home carried out regular testing and screening to support safer visiting and infection control.
“The provider carried out regular testing and screening procedures to ensure visitors could safely visit.” from the report
Use of PPE
Staff were observed using gloves and masks in line with current guidance and had infection control training.
“Staff were observed to be using personal protective equipment, such as gloves and masks in line with current guidance.” from the report
Safe visiting arrangements
Inspectors were assured that visitors were protected from catching and spreading infections, including during the outbreak.
“We were assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections.” from the report
Cleaning records and audits
needs fixingThere was no record of cleaning high-touch points and no formal audit of cleaning schedules. This means inspectors could not see a formal record that these checks were being completed.
“However, there was no record of cleaning of high touch points and no formal auditing of the cleaning schedules had taken place.” from the report
Outdated infection control policy
needs fixingThe infection control policy did not reflect COVID-19 or the specific home. The visiting protocol also lacked the latest guidance about essential visitors.
“The infection control policy did not reflect COVID 19 and was not specific to the service.” from the report
Missing formal assessments
needs fixingThere were no formal assessments of hand washing or putting on and removing PPE. The registered manager said these would be updated and introduced.
“There were no formal assessments i.e. hand washing assessment or PPE donning and doffing assessment.” from the report
- 01Have you now introduced records for cleaning high-touch points and formal audits of the cleaning schedules?
- 02Have you updated the infection control policy so it reflects COVID-19 and the specific arrangements at the home?
- 03Have formal hand-washing and PPE putting-on and removal assessments now been completed?
- 04How did the home manage the active COVID-19 outbreak, and how were relatives kept informed?
- 05What is the current visiting policy, including arrangements for essential visitors or essential care givers?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 March 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, December 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control arrangements were safe.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 10 November 2020. It was carried out because of the coronavirus outbreak response and information of concern about infection control.
Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control. They were assured that the home was managing visitors, testing, shielding, social distancing, admissions, hygiene, outbreaks and its infection control policy.
The home had plans for staffing during an outbreak. Staff were organised by floor to reduce movement around the home. Relatives could keep in contact with people during visitor restrictions.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four areas of care.
Testing arrangements
The home had arrangements for testing people and staff in line with government guidance.
“The provider had arrangements in place to ensure people and staff were tested for COVID-19 in accordance with current government guidance.” from the report
Outbreak staffing plans
The home had contingency plans for staffing if an infection outbreak occurred, including bank staff who worked only at the home.
“The provider had contingency plans for staffing in the event of an infection outbreak.” from the report
Managing movement around the home
Staff were divided between the three floors to reduce movement and the risk of infection spreading.
“The service has three floors. The registered manager split the staff team in three – one team on each floor for each shift.” from the report
Visitor safety
There was a system for visitors, including symptom screening, personal protective equipment and social distancing.
“All visitors were screened for symptoms of respiratory or other infections before being allowed to enter the home.” from the report
PPE guidance
minorInspectors signposted the home to resources about using PPE that meets current standards. The report does not say that this resulted in a breach.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources in relation to guidance on infection prevention and control regarding the use of PPE that meets current standards.” from the report
- 01How are people and staff tested now, and how would you respond if there was an infection outbreak?
- 02How would staffing be organised during an outbreak, including the use of bank staff?
- 03How are visitors screened and supported to follow PPE and social distancing requirements?
- 04How do staff avoid moving between floors or different areas of the home?
- 05What action was taken after inspectors signposted guidance about PPE that meets current standards?
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not covered. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 December 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 Ashcroft Care Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 31 August 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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