Aspen House

Updated 22 October 2021

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Aspen House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We contacted healthcare professional for feedback. We did not receive any feedback. We used all of this information to plan our inspection

During the inspection-

We spoke with three people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, senior support workers and support workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 22 October 2021

About the service

Aspen House is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to people aged 18 and over. Aspen House accommodates up to 16 people who are experiencing mental health issues. The service was full when we inspected.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Everyone we spoke with was positive in their feedback. One person said, “Been living here since it opened. People to talk to and staff are good and support me. If I ask them for anything, I do get it.” A relative said, “My relative’s needs are being covered very well.”

People were safe at Aspen House. Staff knew what their responsibilities were in relation to keeping people safe from the risk of abuse. The registered manager followed safe recruitment practices.

Staff encouraged people to actively participate in activities, pursue their interests and to maintain relationships with people that mattered to them. They felt a part of their local community and were supported to use local resources to their advantage.

Staff understood the importance of promoting people’s choices and provided the support people required while promoting and maintaining independence. This enabled people to achieve positive outcomes and promoted a good quality of life.

People were involved in the running of the service and were consulted on key issues that may affect them.

People received the support they needed to stay healthy and to access healthcare services. Each person had an up to date support plan, which set out how their care and support needs should be met by staff. These were reviewed regularly.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. For example, staff had the information they needed to support people to make choices. Staff knew people had the right to make unwise decisions.

Complaints policies and procedures were in place and these were understood by staff, people and relatives.

There was a system in place to monitor the quality of the service. This had been effective in identifying where improvements were needed and the registered manager actioned these.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection (and update) This service was registered with us on 15 October 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the length of time since the service registered with us.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.