Background to this inspection
Updated
15 February 2022
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.
As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on31 January 2022 and was unannounced.
Updated
15 February 2022
About the service
Ascot Nursing Home is a care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 32 older people in one large, adapted house. At the time of the inspection the service were supporting 29 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were happy with the care and support they received. One person said, “It’s the whole atmosphere in the home, everybody’s talkative, nice and happy. Everyone seems to love everyone.”
People were involved in decisions about the care they received. People had maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Some records required improving to evidence where best interests’ decisions had been made for people.
We have made a recommendation the provider reviews it’s records for where best interest decisions have been made for people.
People told us they felt safe living at the home. Staff understood their responsibilities in protecting people from harm and abuse. The provider had a robust recruitment system in place. There was a proactive approach to assessing and managing risk which allowed people to remain as independent as possible. Accidents and incidents were responded to appropriately. The home was clean and appropriate health and safety checks had been carried out.
Medicines systems were organised, and people were receiving their medicines when they should. Overall, national guidance was being followed for the receipt, storage, administration and disposal of medicines.
The service employed enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff had a good understanding of people’s preferences and choices. Some staff had worked in the home for many years. Staff worked closely with family members and a range of professionals to ensure people received the care and support they required. Staff had received suitable training. One relative said, “It’s excellent, lovely staff who keep an eye on things and who take pride in what they do.”
People were provided with a choice of healthy and nutritionally balanced, homecooked meals. People’s eating and drinking needs were closely monitored. Where there were concerns, timely referrals were made to health professionals for support.
The management team promoted person-centred care which was delivered through the assessment of people's individual and specific needs. People’s care records were in the process of being reviewed to enhance the recording of people’s individual needs. A wide range of activities were provided throughout each day.
People and staff had access to, and support from a management team who had robust quality monitoring systems in place for the service. People, their relatives and staff had their views on the service sought and told us if they were worried about anything they would be comfortable to talk with staff or the management team.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 27 July 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.