Ashley Park Care Home

Updated 30 November 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection site visit took place on 7 November 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of two inspectors and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service.

Prior to the inspection we reviewed the information we had about the service. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We reviewed notifications sent to us about significant events at the service. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

During the visit we spoke with the regional director, nine people, two relatives and eight members of staff. We looked at a sample of five care records of people who used the service, medicine administration records and training, supervision and four recruitment records for staff. We reviewed records that related to the management of the service that included minutes of staff meetings, surveys and audits of the service.

Updated 30 November 2018

Care service description

Ashley Park Care Home is a care home that provides care, support and accommodation for a maximum of 30 older people some of whom are living with dementia. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The inspection took place on the7 November 2018. At the time of the inspection 26 people were living at the service.

Rating at last inspection

At our last inspection we rated the service 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. We found the service had improved in the Well Led domain.

Why the service is rated good

The service had a strong, visible person-centred culture and was exceptional at helping people to live their lives to the fullest. People, their relatives and staff told us the registered manager and all of the senior staff were caring, friendly and approachable. The registered manager and senior management took a personal interest in people and knew them well. They went above and beyond to ensure that people were supported in a way that benefitted them.

The registered manager worked in partnership with people's families and outside organisations to improve the care and support people received. The registered manager had systems in place which monitored health and safety and the quality of people's support. The systems were responsive and had led to changes being made. The registered manager was proactive with regard to how people's support could be improved.

People told us that they felt safe at the service. Staff understood what they needed to do if they suspected abuse as appropriate systems were in place. There were sufficient levels of staff to provide support to people when it was needed. The recruitment of staff was robust to ensure that only suitable staff were employed.

Staff care for people ensured that all of the risks were managed well. Equipment at the service was regularly serviced and appropriate checks were carried out. The provider had procedures in place to ensure people remained safe in an emergency. The service was clean and well maintained.

People were supported with their health needs. People were provided with health and nutritious meals and people had choices of what they wanted to eat and drink. When people were at risk of dehydration and malnutrition this was managed well by staff. Staff received training and supervision specific to their role.

Staff treated people in a caring and dignified way. We saw that people were encouraged to be independent and staff respected people’s choices around care. Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and what they needed to do if they suspected a person lacked capacity.

People's needs had been assessed both before and after admission to the service. Care plans reflected people's needs and preferences. Care plans were evaluated regularly so they contained information about people's current needs. There was end of life care planning with people. People chose how they spent their time and could take part in activities if they wanted to. Staff worked well together and communicated changes to people’s needs to each other.

People told us that they would speak to staff if they had any concerns. There was a complaints procedure should anyone wish to complain. We saw that complaints were investigated and responded to. Notification were sent to the CQC where appropriate.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.