Ashley Gardens Care Centre

This report provides an overview of the Care Quality Commission's inspection of Ashley Gardens Care Centre, conducted on November 10, 2022. The inspection assessed the service against five key questions: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led. It details findings related to the quality of care and safety measures in place to ensure residents receive appropriate support and treatment for their health and well-being.

On safety, the home needs to ensure that all residents' risks are consistently managed, including regular monitoring of bowel health and fluid intake, and timely administration of prescribed medications, particularly for conditions like diabetes. There were instances where accidents and incidents were not fully reported or investigated, meaning lessons might not have been learned.

In terms of how effective the care is, the home has made improvements in managing risks associated with falls and complex eating needs, with care plans being updated to reflect these. Staff have received training on supporting residents with eating and drinking difficulties, and the chef maintains accurate records to ensure dietary needs are met.

Regarding caring interactions, residents and their relatives generally spoke positively about the staff, describing them as kind and caring. The inspection observed caring interactions between staff and residents, suggesting a positive relationship dynamic within the home.

Concerning how responsive the service is, the home is working to ensure it operates within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, with appropriate authorisations in place when needed. Processes are followed to ensure decisions are made in residents' best interests and are as least restrictive as possible, with action taken to address any initial oversight.

In terms of leadership, while a new manager is in place and registering, the service’s governance systems are still being developed. Audits have not always identified areas needing improvement, and some concerns, such as unexplained bruising or a lack of bathing care being flagged in care plans, were not consistently captured by governance processes. Despite efforts to improve, there were continued concerns regarding aspects like diabetes care, hydration, and learning from incidents, which the leadership is working to address.