The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Ashwood Avenue

36-38 Ashwood Avenue, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG17 7QA (01623) 754527

Provided and run by:
Royal Mencap Society

All Inspections

19, 23 September 2013

During a routine inspection

Prior to our inspection we reviewed all the information we had received from the provider. As part of the inspection we spoke with two people who used the service who gave us limited responses to the questions we asked. We also used observation to help us understand the experiences of people using the service, because some of the people had communication needs which meant they were not all able to tell us their experiences.

We spoke with two relatives about their views. We also spoke with the registered manager, a deputy manager, four support workers and a visiting professional. We looked at service information, support plan files for two people and did a tour of both buildings.

The provider had taken steps to make sure that people who used the service understood the care and choices available to them. We saw support plans were in easy read language and included pictures to help people who had communication needs to take part in discussions and decisions about their needs.

Comments received from relatives included, 'I attended a review meeting recently, and (name) is involved all the time in making decisions.' And, 'They (name) are always consulted in what they want.'

We saw people's nutrition and hydration needs were met. People were involved in the development of menus. A person we spoke with told us, 'I like the food, you get a choice.'

People received their medication safely and in accordance to their needs. A relative told us, 'The staff are really good; (name) was on some medication which the staff thought were not right for them, they asked for a review and got it changed.'

We looked at the staff rota and identified some concerns with the amount of staff on duty during the night. We shared our concerns with the Fire and Rescue Service.

We found the provider stored records securely, appropriately and confidentiality. We saw records were maintained in accordance to the provider's policies and procedures.

8 August 2012

During a routine inspection

As part of our inspection we spoke with three people who used the service. Information we obtained through verbal communication was limited as people were not always able to tell us about their experiences. Therefore to understand their experiences we observed care being delivered to people who used the service, spoke with staff and looked at care records.

We spoke with a deputy manager who was in charge on the day of our inspection and the registered manager on the telephone who was not on duty. We also spoke with a learning disability occupational therapist who was visiting.

On the day of our inspection there were 11 people living at Ashwood Avenue Care Home.

One person we spoke with told us they liked living at Ashwood Road Care Home. They said they liked the staff and described their keyworker as lovely. They told us they had recently had their bedroom decorated in their favourite colour and had purchased a new chair of their choice.

Another person we spoke with told us they attended a local day service two days a week which they enjoyed and they liked to go out with staff from the home.

On the day of our visit people who used the service were going out with staff on day trips. Two people were going out with two members of staff to a leisure park and another group of four people went out with four members of staff to the seaside.

We spoke with a learning disability occupational therapist from Nottinghamshire County Council who was attending a review meeting on the day of our visit. They told us they found the staff to be caring and knowledgeable about people's needs. The registered manager was approachable and appeared to make referrals to appropriate professionals as and when required. A comment was made that structured meaningful activities and opportunities available for people were limited.