CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ashlyns Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control. This included testing, protective equipment, cleaning, social distancing, visitor arrangements and plans for managing outbreaks.
- 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, May 2021
Ashlyns Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about its infection prevention and control measures.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 13 April 2021. It looked at how the home was preventing and controlling COVID-19 infections, rather than assessing all aspects of care.
Inspectors found the home was clean and that visitors were screened, tested and given protective equipment. Staff had training in infection control, COVID-19 and using protective equipment.
Inspectors were assured that the home had suitable policies, testing arrangements, social distancing, cleaning, visitor controls and plans for preventing or managing outbreaks. The home was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a quality rating.
Visitor safety
Visitors had health checks, a temperature check and a rapid COVID-19 test before entering. Protective equipment was provided.
“Visitors entered the service through the main door of the building where they were provided with guidance, had their temperature checked” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean, with cleaning taking place during the visit.
“The service was clean and there was cleaning in progress throughout our visit.” from the report
Staff training
Staff had received training in infection control, COVID-19 and putting on and removing protective equipment.
“Staff had received training in, putting on and taking off personal protective equipment (PPE), infection control and COVID-19.” from the report
Infection control planning
The provider had policies and risk assessments for managing COVID-19. Inspectors were assured that infection outbreaks could be prevented or managed.
“The provider had developed policies, procedures and risks assessments for managing the service in relation to COVID-19.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened, tested and supported with protective equipment?
- 02Has the extension providing up to four isolation beds been completed, and how are isolation arrangements managed now?
- 03How often are infection prevention policies and audits reviewed?
- 04What arrangements are currently in place to prevent and manage an infection outbreak?
- 05How are staff kept up to date with infection control and protective equipment training?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it was inspected but not rated and did not assess the other quality areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 May 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, September 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with minor concerns about early-morning noise and access to the garden.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 30 August 2018. The inspector and an expert by experience spoke with people, staff and the deputy manager. They also observed care and reviewed care plans, recruitment files, training records and management documents.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines arrangements, suitable risk assessments and appropriate recruitment checks. People were treated with kindness, involved in their care and supported with their health, food, activities and relationships.
The home was already rated Good at the previous inspection and remained Good. Inspectors found no evidence of serious risks or concerns. They did note some early-morning noise and that some people were asleep and disengaged while the lounge doors to the garden were closed. Managers took action during the inspection.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff with suitable skills and experience. Medicines records, storage, audits and staff competency checks were in place.
“Call bells were answered in a timely way.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff were patient and caring. They knew people well and respected their privacy and dignity.
“People were cared for by staff who were kind caring and patient.” from the report
Personalised support
People's care plans included their needs, wishes and life histories. Activities included both group events and time tailored to individuals.
“People received personalised care that met their individual needs.” from the report
Responsive management
People and families were asked for their views, and managers acted on suggestions. The home added a screen for film nights and developed a computer area for contacting relatives.
“The management both appreciated people's views and where possible put things in place.” from the report
Well-maintained environment
The home was well maintained and bedrooms were personalised. Inspectors found features suitable for people living with dementia.
“The environment was well maintained and people's bedrooms were personalised.” from the report
Early-morning noise
minorOne person reported regular early-morning crashing and banging. The deputy manager said they would speak to night staff and offered a room move if needed.
“There is a lot of noise here especially in the morning.” from the report
Access to the garden
minorDuring part of the visit, the lounge doors to the enclosed garden were closed while several people were asleep and disengaged. The doors and windows were opened later after inspectors raised this.
“Although there was a singing/dancing activity in progress several people were asleep and disengaged.” from the report
- 01What steps have been taken to prevent early-morning crashing and banging from disturbing residents?
- 02How do you make sure people can use the enclosed garden when they want to, including during activities in the lounge?
- 03How are pending Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications being followed up?
- 04How do you record one-to-one activities and make sure they are included in people's activity planning?
- 05How would you support someone who needs nursing care, since the home does not provide nursing care?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, using observations, discussions and reviews of selected records. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 September 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.
Every inspection of Ashlyns Care Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- May 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 December 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Hertfordshire
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 £1,300 a week. 82 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
“She was v competent and confident and we felt our mum was safe in her care. She supported us through a difficult time.”
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.