CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Aston House
Rated Inadequate: inspectors found the home performing badly and the CQC has taken enforcement action.
What inspectors found, November 2021
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found kind and responsive care, but concerns about care records, staff training, the damp building and management.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 12 October 2021. One inspector spoke with people, staff, a health professional and relatives. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and management records, and checked infection control.
People were treated kindly and respectfully. Staff supported independence, hobbies and personal choices. Medicines were managed safely, infection control arrangements were mostly satisfactory, and people knew how to complain.
There were important weaknesses. Care plans and risk assessments were not always reviewed or kept up to date. Many staff needed refresher training, recruitment records were incomplete, and a leaking roof had caused damp patches. The provider had started repairs and improvements, but the checks already in place had not found every problem.
The overall rating was Requires Improvement. Safe, effective and well-led were rated Requires Improvement, while caring and responsive were rated Good. The previous overall rating was Good in 2018.
Kind and respectful care
People described staff positively, and inspectors saw kind and caring interactions. Staff respected privacy and encouraged people to do things for themselves.
“Staff were observed to be kind and caring in their interactions with people. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly.” from the report
Safe medicines practice
Medicines were stored and given safely. Checks and daily records helped staff identify and correct discrepancies.
“Medicines were stored and administered safely.” from the report
Support for choice and independence
People had key workers and were involved in choices about their care. Staff supported hobbies, volunteering and independent living skills.
“Staff were heard encouraging people to remain independent and make choices.” from the report
Good links with health professionals
Staff worked with health and social care professionals, and people accessed doctors, opticians and dentists when needed.
“Staff had developed good working relationships with external health professionals and organisations to support them in providing effective care and support.” from the report
Care information was not always current
seriousSome assessments and care plans were incomplete or out of date. Not all staff had signed to confirm they had read the care plans, which increased the risk of staff missing important guidance.
“People's care and support was not always monitored and reviewed regularly to ensure staff had the most current information in order to support people.” from the report
Damp and urgent repairs
seriousA leaking roof had caused damp patches on walls and ceilings, including in bedrooms. Repairs were planned, but the environment needed urgent attention.
“The home environment required urgent repairs due to a leaking roof which had caused damp patches on walls and ceilings.” from the report
Staff training needed updating
needs fixingMany staff were due refresher training. The provider had identified this and was looking for a new training provider.
“However, many of the staff were due their refresher training.” from the report
Recruitment records were incomplete
seriousSome staff files did not include employment histories or references. The provider said some information may have been archived by the previous owner.
“Not all staff files contained employment histories, and references were not always obtained to ensure staff were suitable to work in the home.” from the report
Management and checks needed strengthening
needs fixingThere was no registered manager, staff morale was mixed, and audits had not identified all the problems found during the inspection.
“These systems however had not identified all the issues that we found at this inspection.” from the report
- 01Have all care plans and risk assessments been reviewed, and how will you make sure they stay up to date?
- 02Has every member of staff completed the refresher training that was overdue at the inspection?
- 03Have the leaking roof and all damp patches in bedrooms and communal areas been repaired?
- 04Has a registered manager been appointed since the inspection?
- 05Have the missing employment histories and references in staff files now been completed?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions and infection control, with the ratings compared with the previous inspection in 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 November 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 Aston House
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has slipped, from Good to Requires improvement.
- November 2021Requires improvementcurrent ratingdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2021
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 February 2021.
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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11 live-in carers within about an hour of Herefordshire, County of
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 £960 to £1,410 a week. 10 can care for a couple. 8 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.