Ashcroft Nursing Home

This CQC report offers a comprehensive overview of Ashcroft Nursing Home following an inspection in October 2022. The inspection focused on key areas of care, including safety, effectiveness, how caring the service is, its responsiveness, and overall leadership. The aim is to provide families with essential information to help them make informed decisions about choosing a care home for their loved ones. The report details the findings from the inspectors' observations and discussions with residents, relatives, and staff.

On safety, residents and their families consistently expressed feeling safe within the home, noting the friendly nature of permanent staff and the vigilance of those present. The home has robust systems for assessing risks, including those related to health and welfare, and implements thorough environmental checks such as fire and electrical safety. Infection control measures are generally well-managed, although some staff were reminded about correct PPE usage, and visiting arrangements were being updated to align with current guidance.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents' needs are met through well-organised and personalised care plans that reflect individual preferences, cultural backgrounds, and life histories. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of residents' needs, and there's a strong focus on enabling residents to maintain relationships and pursue interests. Communication needs are effectively addressed, with clear signage and support for residents with sensory impairments.

Regarding how caring the service is, residents described staff using terms like kind, caring, lovely, and helpful, highlighting their gentleness and patience. Staff are noted to know residents well and interact with them positively, ensuring their choices and preferences are respected. The home also has provisions for end-of-life care, with detailed care plans that document individual wishes and preferences, working collaboratively with healthcare professionals.

The responsiveness of the service is evident in its approach to meeting residents' needs. Care plans are consistently reviewed and updated, ensuring they remain current with any changes in residents' health or wishes. The home actively supports residents to make choices about their daily lives and social interactions. The complaints procedure is in place, and feedback is generally acted upon, with concerns being investigated and resolved.

However, in the area of being well-led, the service requires improvement. While a management structure is in place and staff understand their roles, there are concerns regarding the oversight of clinical governance, particularly with the use of agency staff. Audits and quality assurance processes have not always been robust enough to identify shortfalls, and recruitment practices need strengthening, with incomplete recruitment files and outdated agency staff profiles being noted. The registered manager is taking steps to address these areas.