CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ashgrove House Care Limited
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control. This included personal protective equipment, testing, visitors, admissions, hygiene, social distancing and outbreak management.
- 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, June 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control, hygiene, protective equipment and visits.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 20 May 2021. It followed concerns about infection prevention and control.
Inspectors found the home clean and uncluttered. They were assured that the home used protective equipment safely, supported testing, managed visitors and admissions safely, and had an up-to-date infection control policy.
People were supported to keep in touch with loved ones through video calls, telephone calls and window visits. Staff spoke positively about the home and its management.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report gives findings about infection control, but it does not give an overall quality rating.
Clean environment
The home appeared clean and uncluttered, with regular sanitising of rooms.
“The home appeared clean and uncluttered and rooms were being regularly sanitised.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that protective equipment, testing and infection control arrangements were being used safely.
“We were assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Keeping in touch
People were supported to stay in regular contact with loved ones through calls and window visits.
“People were supported to maintain regular contact with loved ones through video calls, telephone calls and visits at the window.” from the report
Positive management
Staff spoke positively about the service and management.
“Staff spoke positively about the service and management.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are currently in place, and when were they last reviewed?
- 02How are visitors currently screened and supported to visit people living in the home?
- 03How are staff and residents supported with COVID-19 testing now?
- 04What arrangements are in place to prevent or manage an infection outbreak?
- 05How are new admissions assessed and supported safely?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures, so the service was inspected but not rated overall or across the other quality areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 June 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, July 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some medicines records needing improvement.
Inspectors visited on 11 and 12 June 2019. The first day was unannounced. They spoke with 15 residents, six relatives and nine staff members. They also observed care and checked medicines, care records, staff files, training and safety records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough suitably recruited staff, good training, clean accommodation, personalised care and a range of activities. Residents and relatives generally spoke positively about the care.
There were two areas to improve. Records for applying creams and using thickeners were not always completed. The home also agreed to explore further changes to help people living with dementia find their way around and remain independent. New medicines records and extra security measures were introduced immediately after the inspection.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw people being treated kindly and respectfully. Residents and relatives said staff were approachable and caring.
“We observed people being treated in a kind and respectful manner, this was supported by comments from people and their relatives.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's needs, wishes, preferences and goals. Staff were seen to know people well and provide care in line with their wishes.
“People received care and support based on their individual needs, wishes and preferences.” from the report
Staffing and safety
Inspectors found enough staff to respond promptly, with no agency staff being used. Risks, accidents, equipment and the environment were regularly checked.
“Sufficient numbers of staff were available. The staff team was consistent, with some members of the team having worked at the home for many years.” from the report
Activities and community links
People could take part in activities inside and outside the home, including visits to local shops, a dementia café and community events.
“People said there was 'always something going on' and they enjoyed taking part in the activities offered.” from the report
Clean accommodation
The home was clean, well maintained and free from unpleasant smells. Staff used protective equipment and had access to handwashing facilities.
“Effective infection control and cleaning practices were in place. The home was clean and free from malodours.” from the report
Further dementia-friendly changes
minorSome adaptations were already in place, but inspectors discussed whether the environment could do more to support independence and orientation for people living with dementia.
“We discussed how the environment could be adapted further to help promote people's independence and orientation around the home.” from the report
- 01What new records are now used for topical creams and thickeners, and who checks that they are completed every time?
- 02What further changes have been made to help people living with dementia find their way around and remain independent?
- 03How do you decide whether staffing levels are enough when residents' needs change or there is staff sickness?
- 04Which activities and community visits would be suitable for my relative, and how often could they take part?
- 05How would you involve my relative and our family in reviews of care, health needs and end-of-life wishes?
This was a planned, comprehensive inspection covering the home, the care provided and all five CQC questions; the first inspection day was unannounced. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 July 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 Ashgrove House Care Limited
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- June 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 November 2010.
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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