CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Ashtree House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People felt safe, risks were assessed and staffing levels were planned around people's needs. Medicines were generally managed safely, although some handwritten medicines had not been checked and signed by two people, and some liquid medicines were not dated when opened.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were trained and supported, and worked well with health professionals. People received suitable food and support with healthcare, activities, communication and decision-making.
- Caring?
- Good
- People described staff as kind, friendly and respectful. Staff supported privacy, dignity, independence and personal choice.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and staff understood people's preferences. Activities had improved since the previous inspection, and people were supported to maintain relationships and take part in community events.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had visible and approachable leadership, regular quality checks and opportunities for feedback. Staff meetings, handovers and links with other services supported ongoing improvement.
What inspectors found, February 2020
Rated Good overall, with Good ratings in all five areas; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with minor medicines and flooring issues.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 27 January 2020. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and visiting professionals. They reviewed care records, medicines information and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and were treated kindly and with dignity. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines processes, good training, effective healthcare support and strong leadership.
The home had improved its activities since the previous inspection. Inspectors also found some handwritten medicines had not been checked and signed by two people, and some liquid medicines were not dated when opened. The manager took immediate action about the medicines issues.
Kind and respectful care
People consistently said staff were kind and caring. Staff respected people's privacy, dignity and choices.
“Without exception, people told us staff were kind and caring.” from the report
Improved activities
The activities programme had improved since the previous inspection. People could take part in varied activities, outings and community events based on their interests.
“At this inspection, we found this had improved and provision was good.” from the report
Good staffing and training
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Staff had relevant training, regular supervision and opportunities to develop their skills.
“Training records showed staff were up to date with required training and completed a range of additional training relevant to their role.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's needs and preferences. Staff knew people well and supported their individual routines and communication needs.
“Staff we spoke with, were very knowledgeable about people's individual needs and preferences and there was good continuity of care.” from the report
Open leadership
The manager was visible and approachable. Quality checks, feedback, meetings and handovers were used to identify and address improvements.
“The registered manager completed quality audits to monitor the care provided.” from the report
Worn communal flooring
minorSome communal areas had worn carpeting and flooring. The manager said replacement work was under way and expected to be completed within six weeks.
“Some communal areas of the service had worn carpeting and flooring.” from the report
- 01How do you now make sure handwritten medicines are checked and signed by two people?
- 02How do you record the date when liquid medicines are opened?
- 03Has the programme to replace worn communal carpeting and flooring been completed?
- 04How are activities planned and reviewed to make sure they continue to meet each person's interests?
- 05How will you tell families about any medicines errors, accidents or other concerns affecting their relative?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, and all five ratings were assessed as Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 February 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.
What inspectors found, October 2017
Rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, kind and well-organised care, but activities and stimulation were not consistent.
Inspectors visited without notice on 30 August 2017. They observed care, spoke with people living in the home, relatives and staff, and checked care plans, medicines, recruitment records and quality checks.
The home was rated Good for safe, effective and caring care, and for being well-led. People were treated kindly, staff knew their needs, medicines were managed safely, and there were enough staff to provide care without rushing.
The home was rated Requires Improvement for being responsive. Activities were not provided consistently, and some people spent long periods with little or nothing to do. The provider had started changing staffing arrangements and told inspectors that a full-time activities coordinator was due to start in mid-October 2017.
The overall rating stayed Good, the same as at the previous inspection in July 2015. This means inspectors found the home was meeting the relevant standards overall, but improvement was needed in activities and stimulation.
Enough staff
Inspectors found there were enough staff to meet people's needs safely and without rushing. Staffing had increased on care shifts since the previous inspection.
“[There are] plenty of staff. [Senior staff] say 'Just take your time, take as long as it needs'.” from the report
Kind, person-centred care
Staff knew people's individual preferences and supported their dignity and independence. Inspectors saw calm and caring interactions.
“There was a calm, relaxed atmosphere in the home and throughout our inspection we saw staff interacting with people in kind and caring ways.” from the report
Food and healthcare
People could choose from different meals, and staff catered for allergies, diabetes and vegetarian diets. Healthcare needs were monitored with support from local professionals.
“Kitchen staff understood people's preferences and used this to guide them in their menu planning and meal preparation.” from the report
Detailed care planning
Care plans gave staff clear guidance about individual needs, preferences and risks. Plans were reviewed monthly.
“We reviewed people's care plans and saw that they were well-organised and provided staff with detailed information on how to respond to each person's individual needs and preferences.” from the report
Supportive leadership
The manager was visible and approachable. Staff said they worked well together and could raise concerns or ask for help.
“Staff worked together in a well-coordinated and mutually supportive way.” from the report
Activities were inconsistent
needs fixingOn the inspection day, no activities were provided for much of the day because the two new activities leads were not working. Some people sat for extended periods with little or nothing to do, and daily living skills were not encouraged.
“The provision of activities and other forms of stimulation was inconsistent and did not fully meet people's needs.” from the report
- 01What activities are now available each day, and how do you make sure people who cannot join group activities are included?
- 02Did the full-time activities coordinator start in mid-October 2017, and what difference has this made?
- 03How do staff support residents to keep up daily living skills such as folding laundry, helping with washing up or other tasks?
- 04How do you record and review activities for each resident, including their interests, preferences and response to them?
- 05How are any departures from the usual recruitment process recorded and checked for risks?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions; the overall rating remained Good, as at the July 2015 inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 October 2017 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 Ashtree House
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Good
- August 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 October 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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9 live-in carers within about an hour of Lincolnshire
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.
8 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Martin was more than a carer, he managed the home and became my uncle's best friend, enriching his life during his last few years.”
“Magda was always positive and proactive about trying new things to keep dad busy. She also introduced new ideas for keeping dad healthy.”
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.