CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Aughton Park
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements for infection prevention and control, safe visiting, testing, personal protective equipment and managing outbreaks. They also asked about staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Aughton Park was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control arrangements during a COVID-19 outbreak.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 28 January 2022. Inspectors looked mainly at infection prevention and control during a COVID-19 outbreak, and asked about staffing pressures.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks. This included testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, visiting, admissions, social distancing and support for people who were isolating.
The home did not accept new admissions while people were testing positive. Staff supported people to stay connected with relatives and friends, and visitors could use window visits or a separate visiting room.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating, and it does not assess all five areas of care.
Managing admissions during an outbreak
The home stopped new admissions while people were testing positive for COVID-19. It also helped people and relatives understand isolation arrangements.
“The provider had made the decision not to accept new admissions whilst people were testing positive for COVID-19.” from the report
Support during isolation
People were supported in ways suited to their needs. Staff also helped reduce loneliness through calls and dedicated activity time.
“The provider supported people and their relatives to understand the isolation processes and how the service could help to alleviate them feeling lonely” from the report
Visiting arrangements
Visitors could book visits at suitable times, including window visits and visits in a separate room accessed from outside.
“Visitors were able to access window visits and there was a specific room that was accessed from outside without the need for visitors to enter the service.” from the report
Equipment and cleaning supplies
Inspectors found that personal protective equipment and cleaning products were available, organised and stored securely.
“PPE was well stocked and organised, and cleaning products were plentiful and stored neatly in a locked and organised cupboard.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you managing staff shortages or COVID-19-related staff pressures now?
- 02What happens to visiting arrangements if there is another outbreak?
- 03How do you support residents who need to isolate or stay in their rooms?
- 04How do you make sure new admissions are safe during an outbreak?
- 05How are testing, personal protective equipment and vaccination checks managed for staff and visitors?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 March 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, March 2018
Aughton Park was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and well-organised care, with small issues about weighing records and dining space.
This was a full, unannounced inspection on 01 February 2018. Inspectors reviewed care and staff records, checked the building, observed care and meals, and spoke with people living there, relatives and staff. They also sought information from health and social care organisations.
People told inspectors they felt safe and were happy with the care. The home was clean and well maintained. Staff were described as kind and respectful, medicines were managed safely, and care plans were detailed and personal. Inspectors also found suitable staff training, recruitment checks and quality monitoring.
There were two small issues. One person's weekly weight records were not up to date, and the dining room was overcrowded. The home said it would correct the records and review the use of dining areas. The overall rating stayed Good, as did all five areas inspected. The previous inspection in March 2015 had also rated the home Good.
Kind and respectful staff
Staff were observed being patient, compassionate and friendly. They protected people's privacy and dignity and supported independence where appropriate.
“We observed staff supporting people with patience, compassion and in a friendly manner, although independence was promoted when appropriate.” from the report
Personalised care
People's needs were assessed before admission, and care plans reflected their preferences, choices and interests.
“The plans of care were detailed and person centred documents, which incorporated individual preferences, choices and people's interests.” from the report
Good management checks
The home regularly sought views, held meetings and carried out audits covering areas such as care, medicines, staffing and safety.
“A variety of audits were conducted, so that systems and practices could be assessed and monitored on a regular basis.” from the report
Weekly weight record was out of date
needs fixingOne person's care record said they should be weighed weekly, but the records were not up to date. The deputy manager said this would be corrected without delay.
“However, the records of one person indicated they should be weighed each week, but the recording had not been kept up to date.” from the report
Dining room was crowded
minorInspectors found that the dining room was somewhat overcrowded, making it harder for care workers to move around. The deputy manager said the use of dining areas would be reviewed.
“However, the dining room was somewhat overcrowded, which made moving around for care workers a little difficult.” from the report
No activity coordinator in post
minorThere was no activity coordinator at the time of the inspection. Care staff provided activities when possible, and a notice board listed planned activities.
“We established there was no activity coordinator currently employed at the home, but care staff were providing leisure activities, whenever possible.” from the report
- 01How do you now make sure weekly weights are recorded when required?
- 02What changes were made to the dining areas after inspectors found the dining room overcrowded?
- 03How are activities organised while there is no activity coordinator?
- 04How many staff are normally on duty, and how is cover arranged when staff are ill?
- 05How will you involve my relative and our family in reviewing their care plan?
This was a full, comprehensive and unannounced inspection covering Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led; the previous inspection in 2015 had also rated all areas Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 March 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 Aughton Park
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 December 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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85 live-in carers within about an hour of Lancashire
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 £1,260 a week. 78 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She understands the needs of an elderly person in the early stages of dementia and has treated my mother with great kindness and skill.”
“Thanks to Tracy, Dad was always immaculately dressed and clean, his meals were all home cooked and nutritionally well balanced and his home was always kept really clean and tidy.”
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.