Ashlyns Care Home

Visitors entered the service through the main door of the building where they were provided with guidance, had their temperature checked, completed a health screening questionnaire and then undertook a rapid COVID -19 test. They then were asked to wait in the car or the summer house for half an hour till their test results were available. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was provided. This was in line with government guidance.

People had two designated persons who were able to visit them, a visitor's pod was available for other family members. A booking system was in place.

The service was clean and there was cleaning in progress throughout our visit.

Staff had received training in, putting on and taking off personal protective equipment (PPE), infection control and COVID-19.

An extension was being built to provide up to four isolation beds if the need arises. This is due to be completed in July 2021.

The provider had developed policies, procedures and risks assessments for managing the service in relation to COVID-19.

At the last inspection the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People and their relatives told us that they felt people were safe living at Ashlyns. Staff had received training and knew how to keep people safe from harm or abuse. Risks to people were appropriately assessed and measures put in place to help ensure people were kept safe.

The provider operated a robust recruitment process which helped to ensure that staff employed to provide care and support were fit to do so. There were sufficient numbers of staff available, who were well supported and trained to meet individual needs and the service provided was flexible.

Staff sought people's consent to care. The registered manager and staff were aware of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People were assisted to eat and drink sufficient amounts to keep healthy and were supported to access healthcare professionals when required.

People were treated in a kind and caring way by staff who respected their privacy and maintained their dignity. People and family where appropriate were involved in the review and development of peoples care and support plans. People were asked for their views on how the service operated and their views were acted upon.

People received personalised care that met their individual needs. People were encouraged and supported to participate in activities that were of interest to them and to engage in hobbies both at the service and also events that were arranged in the community.

People and their relatives told us they knew how to raise concerns through the complaints process. They said they were confident they would be listened to and that any concerns raised would be appropriately investigated and resolved.

We found that records were well maintained through an online system and provided staff with detailed information about how to support people.

The registered manager had systems in place to obtain feedback from people who used the service, their relatives, and staff to help improve the service people received.

There was an open, transparent and inclusive culture at the service. People who used the service, their relatives, staff and commissioners all gave positive feedback about the service and how it was managed and operated.

The registered manager had a range of systems and processes in place to monitor the quality of care provided at the service and to make continual improvements.

The environment was well maintained and people’s bedrooms were personalised. The décor was appropriate, in particular for people who lived with Dementia. There was plenty of objects available for people to ‘engage’ with.

Further information is in the details below.

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, discussions with people using the service, their relatives, the staff supporting them and looking at records.

We found that the home was meeting all areas.

If you wish to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

You can see our judgements on the front page of this report.

Is the service caring?

We found that the people were cared for in relaxed, comfortable well planned environment by caring staff. We observed care and saw that there were sufficient trained staff on duty to spend time with the people. We saw affection between the staff and the people. There was a homely atmosphere, with the people at the centre of all activities.

Is the service responsive?

We were told by the people who lived in the home that 'the staff are wonderful, kind and caring'. We saw that staff were vigilant at all times and were ready to respond to the wishes and needs of the people. People who chose to stay in their rooms had regular visits from staff. Some of the people liked to have an afternoon walk or to sit in the garden when the weather was nice. We were told that calls for assistance were responded to in a timely manner.

Is the service safe?

We saw that there were sufficiently appropriately recruited staff to meet the needs and wishes of the people. We saw that staff were aware of risk management and the balance between promoting independence and keeping people safe and that the premises was secure. Staff had been trained to recognise and respond to signs and allegations of abuse. We saw that great care had been taken to ensure people had free safe access to fresh air when they choose.

Is the service effective?

We looked at the care plans of four people and found that people had been involved in establishing what care they needed and how they wanted it delivered. We saw that care plans gave detailed directions to staff to ensure the care they gave was effective. We saw that where a deterioration in the person's health had been identified by staff, the person had been referred to the appropriate health care professional. This included people with mental health issues. People who had long periods of inaction were protected from the risk of pressure areas. A recent survey showed that all the people who responded were either very happy or happy with all aspects of the quality of the care provided by the home.

Is the service well led?

The home was managed in the best interests of the people who live there. Staff told us that the manager was available to them should they need assistance. The manager supervised the staff while they were delivering care and if there were issues they were addressed. Staff were well trained in all aspects of care delivery. The people told us that the manager was always there should they need anything they 'Only have to ask and it's done'. The manager was proactive in ensuring people in the home who were living with dementia had optimum care and were stimulated and comforted by the staff who cared for them.

Staff were supported in a relaxed manner and had time to spend with the manager so that they could raise issues that may impact on how they cared for people.

All of the people who live in the home told us that that they were listened to and that they could discuss any issues with a member of staff or the manager. People told us that they had confidence that their problem would be addressed and if at all possible resolved. We were told by one person that there was beauty in the home and the gardens and that this was important particularly for those people who do not get out much.

We attended a residents' meeting, where we saw that the people discussed subjects that were important to them. We saw that the people spoke freely and we saw that they were listened to and some issues resolved immediately, others needed to be discussed with the manager.

We found the people to be well cared for and that they were living in an environment that was both safe and stimulating. We saw that people were cared for by well trained and caring staff. We found the home to be well managed and that the care of the people and the running of the home was regularly reviewed and any issues resolved.