Ashurst Park Care Home

Ashurst Park Care Home is a service that provides nursing, personal care, and accommodation for up to 53 older people and younger adults, including those living with dementia and physical needs. At the time of this inspection, 35 residents were living at the home, primarily older people with dementia. This summary provides an overview of the Care Quality Commission's findings from their recent inspection, aiming to help families understand the service's strengths and areas for development.

In terms of safety, while residents generally felt safe and relatives were highly complimentary, some critical issues were identified. Fire safety arrangements were not robust, and staff training on emergency procedures was inconsistent, raising concerns about preparedness. Furthermore, there were shortfalls in medicine management, and staffing levels were not always sufficient to meet resident needs, leading to delays in assistance. Safe recruitment practices also required improvement, with gaps in employment history checks.

Regarding effectiveness, the care provided did not always achieve consistently good outcomes for residents. Some care staff lacked the necessary knowledge and skills to recognise and respond promptly to potential health issues like dehydration or infections, increasing the risk of delayed intervention. The accommodation was also noted as not being sufficiently adapted for people living with dementia, with a lack of clear signage which could lead to confusion and residents getting lost.

When it comes to caring, while many residents reported positive experiences with staff, the care provided was not consistently person-centred, failing to always promote dignity. Information was not always presented in an accessible format, and residents were not fully supported to engage in social activities or be involved in decisions about their care.

In terms of responsiveness, the service did not consistently meet the needs of all residents. While complaints were managed appropriately and end-of-life care was in line with guidelines, the lack of accessible information and opportunities for social engagement meant residents' broader needs were not always met. Quality checks had not identified the concerns found during the inspection, indicating a need for more robust monitoring.

Finally, the service was not consistently well-led. There was a perceived poor culture among some staff, impacting their motivation to provide high-quality care. Quality assurance systems were not robust enough to identify and address concerns effectively, and while the registered manager responded well to certain events, the overall leadership and oversight required strengthening to ensure consistent high-quality care delivery.