Astor Hall

Updated 30 June 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

Astor Hall is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Astor Hall is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 12 people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, provider, deputy manager, care workers and auxiliary workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and four medicines records. We looked at two 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.

Updated 30 June 2022

About the service

Astor Hall is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 26 people. The service supports people who may need support with their physical disability and may be living with dementia and a learning disability. Astor Hall is an adapted building with passenger lifts. At the time of the inspection there were 21 people living at the service.

The home is registered to provide support to people living with a learning disability, however, people’s primary need for admission was their physical disability. We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right support:

The model of care and setting maximised people’s choice, control and independence. Staff supported people to make choices about their daily lives and engage in activities, that were tailored to their individual needs and promoted their independence. People were supported to maintain and develop relationships. People were supported by enough staff on duty who had been trained to do their jobs properly. People received their medicines in a safe way. People were protected from abuse and neglect. People's care plans and risk assessments were clear and up to date.

Right care:

People received good quality person-centred care that promoted their dignity, privacy and human rights. Staff knew people well and demonstrated an understanding of people’s individual care and communication needs. This helped ensure people’s views were heard and their diverse needs met.

People were treated in a dignified manner and staff were aware of people’s support needs. Staff were observed talking to people in dignified and respectful way. Staff delivered personal care needed and gained consent prior to providing any support. Care plans informed staff of any specific ways to best communicate with the person.

Right culture:

People lived in a service where the ethos, values, and attitudes of management and care staff ensured people led confident, inclusive and empowered lives. Staff created an environment that inspired people to understand and achieve their goals and ambitions.

People led their life that reflected their personalities and preferences because of the ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the management and staff.

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

People told us they were happy with the care they received, and people said they felt safe living there. Comments from people included; “I feel safe here and any problems I can talk to (named registered manager) and (named deputy manager).” Another person said; “Staff are all helpful and good.” While a relative said; “Makes us feel so grateful knowing that (named relative) is treated with understanding and respect.” People looked relaxed, happy and comfortable with staff supporting them. Staff were caring and spent time chatting with people as they moved around the service.

The environment was safe and there was equipment available to support staff in providing safe care and support. Health and safety checks of the environment and equipment were in place.

People were supported to access healthcare services, staff recognised changes in people's health, and sought professional advice appropriately.

People were involved in menu planning and staff encouraged them to eat a well-balanced diet and make healthy eating choices. Special diets were catered for. One person said; “I enjoy my food and it’s made soft for me to eat.”

Staff told us the registered manager was available, assisted them daily and helped cover shifts when some staff had been off with COVID-19. They went onto say how they were approachable and listened when any concerns or ideas were raised. One staff member said; “Amazing management- approachable, very hands on and will work or come in if short of staff.”

People and their families were provided with information about how to make a complaint and details of the complaint’s procedure were displayed at the service.

Cleaning and infection control procedures had been updated in line with COVID-19 guidance to help protect people, visitors and staff from the risk of infection. Government guidance about COVID-19 testing for people, staff and visitors was being followed.

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

The last rating for this service was good, published on 27 November 2017.

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection as part of a random selection of services rated Good and Outstanding.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.