CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Aston House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, December 2021
Aston House was rated Good; inspectors found personalised, kind and safe care, with some staffing pressure during the pandemic.
One inspector visited on 15 November 2021. They spoke with eight people, staff and one relative. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff recruitment files and records about how the home was managed. Infection prevention measures were also checked.
Inspectors found that care was based on people's individual needs, wishes and past experiences. People were supported to make choices, stay independent and take part in activities they enjoyed. Staff worked with health professionals to support people's mental and physical health.
Medicines, risks, safeguarding and infection control were managed safely. Staff were trained and safely recruited. The home had detailed care plans and regular checks on the quality of care. Inspectors noted that staffing had been difficult during the pandemic, with recruitment continuing and agency staff used when needed.
The overall rating was Good, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was unchanged from the previous inspection, published on 9 October 2018.
Personalised care
Care plans included people's needs, preferences, histories and relationships. Staff used this information to provide consistent, individual care.
“Care and support was tailored to meet people's individual needs.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines records were completed accurately and checked regularly. There was detailed guidance for medicines given when needed.
“We reviewed MAR charts for people and saw that these had been completed accurately.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff respond calmly and kindly when people were upset. People said their privacy and dignity were respected.
“Staff supported people with kindness and respect. We saw staff respond when one person became upset and emotional.” from the report
Support for independence
Staff encouraged people to make choices, go out, continue hobbies and build confidence. Inspectors saw examples of people becoming more independent.
“Staff worked hard to improve people's self-worth, independence and overall health.” from the report
Quality checks
The home used audits, care reviews and feedback to monitor care. Actions identified through these checks were followed up.
“Robust quality assurance systems were in place to measure and monitor the standard of the service.” from the report
Staffing pressure
minorStaffing had been difficult during the pandemic. Recruitment was continuing, agency staff were used when needed, and the registered manager regularly covered shifts to maintain care.
“Staffing had been challenging during the pandemic, pressures related to staffing levels were being addressed with on-going recruitment.” from the report
- 01How is the ongoing recruitment progressing, and how are unexpected staff absences covered?
- 02Would the home still have enough staff to meet people's needs if the registered manager could not cover shifts?
- 03Can you meet the needs of someone who uses a hoist?
- 04What support would be available if a resident's needs changed and they required end of life care?
- 05How are care plans and risk assessments reviewed when a person's mental or physical health changes?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, including infection prevention and control measures. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 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.
What inspectors found, October 2018
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, respectful care and effective management, although one person said staffing did not always support outings.
This was an unannounced inspection on 28 and 29 August 2018. It was the first inspection after the change of provider in September 2017. Inspectors observed care, spoke with people, relatives, staff and the manager, and checked care plans, medicines, accidents, staff records and audits.
The home supported 12 people, with space for up to 15, who needed mental health care. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines systems, good recruitment checks and staff who understood safeguarding and people's risks.
People were involved in their care and choices. Inspectors found kind and respectful staff, suitable meals, support with healthcare, activities based on people's preferences and a welcoming approach to visitors. The complaints process was available and people knew how to use it.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The report found the home was meeting the relevant requirements at the time of this inspection.
Safe medicines
Inspectors found medicines were stored, administered and recorded safely. Staff competency was checked and records were regularly audited.
“Medicines were administered safely and administration records were up to date.” from the report
Skilled staff
Staff received training suited to people's needs, including mental health, safeguarding and medicines. Supervision and meetings helped staff understand their responsibilities.
“Relevant training was provided to ensure staff had a good understanding of people's needs and the support they wanted.” from the report
Respect and choice
People were involved in their care and supported to make choices about daily life. Staff respected privacy and encouraged independence.
“People were involved in decisions about their care and made choices about all aspects of the support they received.” from the report
Personalised activities
People chose how to spend their time, and the home arranged activities in line with their interests. Support was available for activities inside and outside the home.
“People decided how they wanted to spend their time and were supported to take part in activities in the home and in the community.” from the report
Quality checks
The management team checked care plans, medicines, accidents, the environment and health and safety. The report says action was taken when improvements were identified.
“An effective quality assurance system enabled the registered manager to monitor the services provided.” from the report
Some limits on outings
minorOne person said there were times when staffing was not enough to take them out. Inspectors also observed staff offering walks and trips, and rated staffing as Good overall.
“One person said there were times when there was not enough staff to take them out” from the report
- 01How will you make sure there are enough staff for the outings and trips each person wants?
- 02How often are each person's care plan and risk assessments reviewed?
- 03How do you check that staff remain competent to administer medicines?
- 04How are changes in a person's mental or physical health identified and shared with relatives?
- 05What activities and community visits are currently available for someone with my relative's interests and needs?
This was an unannounced inspection of the overall service and covered all five CQC questions, including care, staffing, medicines, records, the environment and management systems. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 October 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 Aston House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2021Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2018GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2017
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 September 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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19 live-in carers within about an hour of East Sussex
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 £1,000 to £1,400 a week. 13 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“When he point blank refused to go into hospital for a life saving blood transfusion she talked him through the situation and agreed to go in the ambulance with him and stayed until he was settled.”
“Una felt safe, secure and loved in her time with Debbie which is a gift that I am eternally grateful for.”
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.