CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ashleigh
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing infections, using personal protective equipment safely, providing testing and facilitating visits in line with current guidance. The provider also said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Good
- 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, February 2022
Ashleigh was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection control arrangements.
This was a targeted, announced inspection on 18 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements, and whether COVID-19 staffing pressures affected the home.
Inspectors were assured that the home used testing, screening, vaccination checks, personal protective equipment and social distancing measures. They also found that visits were being supported and that cleaning routines were in place.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four questions.
Up-to-date infection policies
The home had detailed COVID-19 policies. Inspectors noted that these were regularly updated when national guidance changed.
“The policies and procedures were updated regularly following any changes in national guidance.” from the report
Testing and visitor checks
Regular testing was in place for people living in the home, staff and visitors. Visitors had to complete screening and show vaccination and negative test evidence before entry.
“A programme of regular COVID-19 testing for both people in the home, staff, and visitors to the home was implemented.” from the report
PPE and staff practice
There was enough personal protective equipment and hand sanitiser. Staff had updated training and were seen using PPE correctly.
“Staff had received updated training on the use of PPE and we observed staff wearing it correctly during out inspection.” from the report
Cleaning arrangements
Daily cleaning schedules were in place, with housekeepers and other staff involved in cleaning frequently touched areas.
“Daily cleaning schedules were implemented by housekeepers and all staff were involved in undertaking touch point cleaning.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are COVID-19-related staffing pressures being managed now?
- 02What testing and screening arrangements are currently used for people living in the home, staff and visitors?
- 03How are visits being facilitated under the current guidance?
- 04How do you check that staff and visiting professionals meet vaccination requirements or have an exemption?
- 05How often are cleaning schedules and touch-point cleaning completed and checked?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 4 February 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, June 2018
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptionally caring, personalised support, with safe and effective care rated Good.
This was an unannounced inspection on 14 March 2018. The inspector spoke with people living there, relatives, staff and a visiting professional. They observed care and reviewed care plans, medicines records, staffing, recruitment, training, maintenance and quality checks.
The home was rated Outstanding overall. Caring and well-led were Outstanding. Safe, effective and responsive were Good. Inspectors found kind and patient staff, detailed person-centred plans, good support for independence, safe medicines arrangements and strong teamwork with other professionals.
The home was changing its accommodation. Its registered maximum had been reduced from 18 to 10 people, and work was taking place to create flats and bedsits. At the previous inspection in November 2015, the home was rated Good. This inspection found enough improvement for the overall rating to rise to Outstanding.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw calm, friendly interactions. People appeared relaxed and comfortable, and staff protected their privacy and dignity.
“People were extremely well-cared for, relaxed and comfortable.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected each person's needs, preferences and communication style. Staff adapted support to help people build trust and become more independent.
“Care was completely centred and tailored to each individual.” from the report
Building independence
People were supported to learn everyday skills, travel, work, follow interests and take part in the local community.
“People were encouraged and supported to lead as fulfilled a life as possible.” from the report
Strong leadership
Inspectors found a clear person-centred culture, good communication and effective quality checks that were used to improve the service.
“There were robust and effective quality assurance systems in place designed to both monitor the quality of care provided and drive improvements within the service.” from the report
Listening device guidance
minorListening devices were being used to help keep some people safe, but there was no general written protocol explaining their use. The manager said this would be addressed immediately.
“A general written protocol was not in place for the use of any listening devices which were used to keep people safe” from the report
Controlled drugs records
minorNo controlled drugs were in use during the inspection. Inspectors advised that a loose-leaf file was not suitable for recording them, and the manager said a numbered hard-back book had been introduced.
“However, we advised that a loose leaf file was not suitable for the recording of controlled drugs.” from the report
- 01What written protocol is now used for listening devices, and how do you balance safety with privacy?
- 02What recording system is now used for controlled drugs, and how is it checked?
- 03How did the building work to create flats and bedsits affect residents during the inspection, and what disruption remains?
- 04How will the reduced maximum of 10 residents affect the people who live here and future placements?
- 05How would you support my relative's transition into the home, including visits, communication information and staff consistency?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions and the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 June 2018 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. The report was longer than we could read in one go; the later sections may not be reflected.
Every inspection of Ashleigh
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2018Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Outstanding
- December 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 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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36 live-in carers within about an hour of Newcastle upon Tyne
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 £950 to £1,160 a week. 30 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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