CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Aster House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including PPE, testing, cleaning, visiting, isolation and staff vaccination. They did not give a quality rating.
- 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, July 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control, clean premises and support for visits.
This was an announced, targeted inspection about infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic. The report says the visit took place on 09 February 2022, although one section says 09 February 2021.
Inspectors found plans to manage COVID-19 risks. Staff had infection control and PPE training. The home had cleaning schedules, extra cleaning of frequently used areas and arrangements for testing, isolation and visits.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating or a full rating for all five areas of care. Safe was also inspected but not rated.
COVID-19 planning
The home had plans to reduce COVID-19 risks, including zoning for people who needed to self-isolate.
“The risks associated with Covid-19 were considered and plans were in place to mitigate these risks.” from the report
Staff training
Staff had training in infection control and PPE, and understood symptoms that might need medical attention.
“Staff had received training on infection control and COVID- 19, and they understood the signs and symptoms that might indicate ill health” from the report
Clean premises
The home was clean and fresh. Cleaning schedules were checked, with extra cleaning of heavily used areas during the day.
“The service looked clean and smelled fresh. Staff followed cleaning schedules which were checked by the management team” from the report
Family contact
People were supported to see family and friends. Technology was used to keep relatives updated when visits were not possible.
“People were supported to see their family and friends. If this was not possible staff were using technology to keep family members updated.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are COVID-19 risk assessments being reviewed and updated now?
- 02How do you check that staff and visiting professionals meet the current vaccination or exemption requirements?
- 03How often are frequently used areas cleaned, and how is this checked?
- 04What testing and self-isolation arrangements are currently used if someone becomes unwell or tests positive?
- 05How are visits arranged now, and what support is offered if a visit cannot take place?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures during the coronavirus pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other quality areas were not assessed in this report. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 July 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, September 2019
Rated Good across all five areas; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care with effective management.
This was an unannounced planned inspection on 17 June 2019. One inspector and an Expert by Experience spoke with four people, the registered manager and two care workers. They looked at care records, medicines records, the home and management documents.
Inspectors found that people felt safe and that risks linked to mental health, substance misuse and possible violence were assessed and reviewed. Medicines were given as prescribed. People were supported by kind staff, involved in their care choices and helped to take part in activities and community life.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same overall rating and the same rating in every area as at the previous inspection, published on 3 July 2018.
Kind and respectful care
People said staff were kind and respectful. Inspectors observed positive and meaningful interactions.
“People were treated with kindness and were supported by caring staff.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's likes, dislikes and important life details. Staff supported people to work towards personal goals, including education.
“Assessments and care and support plans were personalised and completed with people's opinions of their care needs including their likes and dislikes and things in their life that were important to them.” from the report
Staff training and support
Staff received induction, training, supervision and appraisal. The training included safeguarding, medicines, mental health and infection control.
“Staff had regular supervision and appraisal meetings which gave staff the opportunity to reflect on their practice and job performance.” from the report
Management and feedback
The manager checked important areas of the home and held meetings with people and staff. People gave positive feedback through an annual survey.
“People gave positive feedback about the service through an annual survey.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and update my relative's risks, including any changes in their mental health or behaviour?
- 02How would you support my relative to take medicines safely, including whether they could manage any medicines independently?
- 03How would my relative be involved in writing and reviewing their care plan and choosing their daily activities?
- 04What training and supervision do staff receive to support people with mental health needs?
- 05How would you keep our family informed about changes, incidents or concerns, and how could we make a complaint?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering the overall service and all five CQC key questions, including the premises and care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 September 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 Aster House
Each visit the CQC has published, newest first, back to the day the home was registered.
- July 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2019GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2018
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 July 2018.
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 Lewisham
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 £1,260 a week. 82 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”
“Usha rapidly became 'one of the family' and is sorely missed.”
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.