CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Aster Care
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Aster Care was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 infection control arrangements.
Inspectors visited on 14 January 2022. The visit was announced and took place because the home was being used for people discharged from hospital with a positive COVID-19 status.
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control. Inspectors found good arrangements for visitors, screening, personal protective equipment, testing, social distancing, isolation and safe admissions.
The home was meeting the requirement for non-exempt staff and visiting professionals to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had good infection prevention and control procedures for its role as a designated setting.
“We were assured the service had good infection prevention and control procedures in place as a designated setting.” from the report
PPE and staff training
Staff used PPE correctly, supplies were good, and staff had received training in infection prevention and control.
“All staff had received training and demonstrated good practices to maintain good infection and prevention control procedures.” from the report
Safe admissions and visits
The home had clear procedures for admitting people safely and was facilitating visits in line with current guidance.
“Clear procedures were in place to admit people safely into the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened and supported to prevent infections spreading?
- 02What happens if a person is admitted with a positive COVID-19 status or there is an outbreak?
- 03How do you make sure staff have enough PPE and use it correctly?
- 04How are people and staff supported with COVID-19 testing?
- 05How do you check that non-exempt staff and visiting professionals meet the vaccination requirement?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, with the Safe question inspected but not rated; the other four questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 January 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, December 2021
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, effective and well-led care, but medicines records and some topical medicines needed improvement.
This was an unannounced focused inspection carried out on 24 November, 2 December and 9 December 2021. Three inspectors and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, relatives and staff, and checked care, medicines and other records.
The home was rated Good overall, and Good for Safe, Effective and Well-led. Inspectors found that risks were assessed, staffing and recruitment were monitored, infection control systems were effective, people received support with food and healthcare, and quality checks were being used.
There were still some medicines shortfalls. Some topical medicines were not given as prescribed, and inspectors recommended better guidance and records. Staff were also seen not always following personal protective equipment rules, although the manager acted immediately when this was raised.
Risk management
Inspectors found that risks were assessed and action was taken to keep people safe. Premises and equipment were checked regularly.
“Risks to people were assessed and action taken to address them.” from the report
Food and drink
People's nutritional needs were assessed and met. People and relatives spoke positively about the choice and support available.
“People were effectively supported with eating and drinking.” from the report
Staff skills
Staff received regular training, induction, supervision and appraisals. Inspectors found they had the knowledge and skills needed to support people.
“Regular training gave staff the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective support.” from the report
People's choices
Staff obtained consent and recorded best-interests decisions when people could not consent. DoLS applications were made where needed and monitored.
“Staff obtained people's consent before supporting them.” from the report
Improved oversight
The provider had improved its governance since the previous inspection. Audits were being used to identify issues and plan action.
“The manager and provider carried out a range of audits to monitor and improve standards at the service.” from the report
Topical medicines
needs fixingSome topical medicines were not given as prescribed. Inspectors recommended reviewing the guidance and records so staff had enough information.
“Some topical medicines were not administered as prescribed.” from the report
Protective equipment
minorSome staff were not following the rules for personal protective equipment. The manager took immediate action after inspectors raised this.
“However, we did see some staff not following rules on the use of personal protective equipment.” from the report
- 01How are topical medicines recorded and checked to make sure they are given as prescribed?
- 02What changes have been made to the guidance for when-required and topical medicines?
- 03How do you check that staff follow personal protective equipment rules?
- 04What progress has been made in appointing a registered manager?
- 05How will you monitor the improvements made since the previous inspection?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led; Caring and Responsive were not inspected and the previous ratings for areas not covered were used in calculating the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 December 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.
Every inspection of Aster Care
5 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2021Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2021Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2021InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- October 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not ratedCaring: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- May 2019Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2018Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- June 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 27 June 2017.
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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35 live-in carers within about an hour of Middlesbrough
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. 31 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
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“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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