CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ashlong Cottage
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and support for family visits.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 1 February 2022. Inspectors checked infection prevention and control, and asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
Inspectors found good practice. Visitors were screened, people and staff were tested, and staff and visiting professionals were vaccinated where required. Staff used protective equipment safely, the home was clean, and infection control policies were up to date.
People could keep in touch with family and friends, including through visits, video calls and telephone calls. The service kept staffing levels in place and had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
The home was inspected but not rated. This visit does not provide an overall quality rating or ratings for most of the five areas CQC normally assesses.
Family contact
People could stay in regular contact with family and friends. Visits were allowed without undue restrictions, with safe arrangements in place.
“People were supported to stay in regular contact with their family and friends, who were able to visit with no undue restrictions.” from the report
Infection control
The home screened visitors, arranged testing and provided protective equipment. Staff followed infection control procedures during the inspection.
“Staff followed current guidance and practice throughout our visit.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the environment clean and hygienic, with enhanced daily cleaning and good ventilation in communal areas.
“The environment was clean and hygienic. Enhanced cleaning took place throughout the environment on a daily basis.” from the report
Staffing arrangements
The provider said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures, and inspectors found staffing levels had been maintained.
“The provider had been able to maintain staffing levels to make sure people experienced the same level of service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened and supported to visit people safely?
- 02How often are infection prevention and control audits carried out, and what did the most recent audits find?
- 03How would you manage staffing pressures if COVID-19 affected staff availability?
- 04Are staff and visiting professionals still meeting the vaccination or exemption requirements described in the report?
- 05How can my relative keep in touch with family if visits are not possible?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 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, November 2019
Ashlong Cottage was rated Good overall, but inspectors found that safety checks needed improvement.
This was an unannounced inspection on 16 September 2019. One inspector observed care, spoke with the manager and staff, and reviewed care plans, staff files, medicines records and management records.
The home was caring, effective, responsive and well-led. Staff knew people well, supported their communication and choices, provided personalised activities, and worked with health professionals. The home was clean, staffing levels were suitable and medicines were generally given as prescribed.
The overall rating was Good. However, Safe was rated Requires Improvement because harmful substances and controlled medicines were not initially stored securely. The manager corrected these issues immediately when they were raised. Privacy was also sometimes affected by confidential information being discussed or stored insecurely.
Kind and personalised care
Staff understood people's emotions, communication styles, interests and preferences. They supported people calmly and respectfully.
“We saw staff had a good rapport with people, understood what was important to them and valued them as people.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make choices using pictures and other communication aids. Staff encouraged people to take part in everyday tasks and develop skills.
“People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.” from the report
Activities and community life
Activities were planned for each person, based on what they enjoyed and could manage. People were supported to maintain relationships and access the community.
“Activities were provided on a person-centred basis and each person had their own activity plan.” from the report
Good health and nutrition support
Staff understood people's complex eating and drinking needs and worked with other professionals. Health appointments, food, drink and weight were monitored.
“There was clear information about what this meant for each person and how to support them to eat and drink safely.” from the report
Clean home and suitable staffing
The home was clean and hygienic, and staffing levels were adjusted when people's needs or activities required extra support.
“The premises were visibly clean and fresh smelling.” from the report
Harmful substances not securely stored
seriousDishwasher tablets, cleaning fluid and other dangerous chemicals were not always locked away. The manager secured them immediately, but checks had not identified the risk.
“The provider's safety checks were not robust enough to ensure harmful substances, including dishwasher tablets, cleaning fluid and other dangerous chemicals, were stored securely.” from the report
Controlled medicines security
seriousKeys for a second locked cabinet containing controlled medicines had been left in the locks. The manager secured the containers and restricted access when this was raised.
“Controlled drug containers, although secured inside a second locked cabinet, had their keys kept in the locks which undermined the safety of having a second lock and increased the risk of theft or misuse of these medicines.” from the report
Confidential information
needs fixingSome confidential information was discussed in communal meetings and some records were kept in an unlocked office. The manager moved the records to a locked room and said further changes were planned.
“Some confidential personal information about people was not held securely and was kept on a shelf in an unlocked office.” from the report
Privacy in meetings
needs fixingInformation about people's health appointments was discussed at a residents' meeting without clear evidence that people had agreed to this. The manager said this would stop.
“Some information discussed at a recent residents' meeting, such as updates about people's health appointments, may have compromised people's privacy as they were not able to consent to sharing this information.” from the report
- 01What checks are now used to make sure cleaning products and other harmful substances are locked away at all times?
- 02How are controlled medicine keys stored, and who is allowed to access them?
- 03How do you make sure confidential information is kept securely and is not discussed where other people can hear?
- 04What evidence can you show that the safety and privacy issues found at the inspection have stayed corrected?
- 05How are each person's communication needs, activities and goals reflected in their current care plan?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five key questions; the report says the previous inspection was published on 18 March 2017 and all five previous ratings were Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 7 November 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 Ashlong Cottage
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- April 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Sutton
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 £1,230 a week. 81 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She cared for my mum with Alzheimer's with endless patience and kindness, always arriving with a smile and a positive attitude”
“Terry has been of invaluable help to our family while working as a part-time live-in carer for our mother for approximately 6 months”
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.