Background to this inspection
Updated
2 February 2021
The inspection
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 coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also reviewed staffing levels as there had previously been anonymous concerns raised.
Inspection team
One inspector carried out this inspection.
Service and service type
Ashlea Mews 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
We gave short notice of this inspection. This was through a phone call to the service on the day of our visit to check it was safe.
What we did before inspection
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. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with the registered manager and deputy manager. We reviewed a range of records to enable us to review IPC procedures and how staffing levels were determined.
After the inspection
We reviewed information the registered manager sent to us.
Updated
2 February 2021
About the service
Ashlea Mews is a care home providing personal care to 40 people aged 65 and over. Nursing care is not provided. The service can support up to 40 people.
The home was divided into two separate units, one provided general residential care and one provided support to people who lived with dementia.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People said they were safe and there were sufficient staff although they were busy. One relative commented, “The staff are good here, although they could do with more staff and more activities.”
People received limited opportunities for activities and engagement when staff were busy.
Improvements were required to cleanliness in some areas of the home.
We have made a recommendation staffing levels are kept under review and to ensure an adequate standard of cleanliness around the building.
People enjoyed a very positive dining experience with the support of staff. Improvements were required to menus and the timings of meals.
We have made a recommendation nutritional guidance is followed to ensure people received a varied and balanced diet.
Improvements were required to manage and respond to complaints and concerns.
The environment was well-maintained and it promoted the engagement of people who lived with dementia.
People had access to health care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment. Staff followed advice given by professionals to make sure people received the care they needed.
Communication was effective to ensure staff and relatives were kept up-to-date about any changes in people's care and support needs and the running of the service.
Records provided guidance to staff to ensure people received safe, person-centred, appropriate care and support. Information was accessible to involve people in decision making about their lives.
Risk assessments were in place and they accurately identified current risks to the person as well as ways for staff to minimise or appropriately manage those risks.
Appropriate training was provided and staff were supervised and supported. Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and best interest decision making, when people were unable to make decisions themselves.
People were supported to have 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.
There were opportunities for people, relatives and staff to give their views about the service. The provider undertook a range of audits to check on the quality of care provided.
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 30 June 2018).
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about standards of care, staffing levels, lack of activities and lack of responsiveness to complaints. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Please see the Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive domains of this full report.
We have found evidence that the provider needs to make some other improvements. Please see the Safe, Effective and Responsive sections of this full report.
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.