Background to this inspection
Updated
2 December 2017
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Our comprehensive inspection took place on 23 October 2017 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of two adult social care inspectors, a specialist advisor in mental health nursing and two experts-by-experience, with experience of supporting people who used this type of service.
Before our inspection we reviewed all the information we had about the service. This included past inspection reports and notifications about significant events which the provider has to send us. We also contacted other agencies such as local authority commissioners, safeguarding teams and the fire and rescue service. We did not receive any information of concern.
We sent the provider a Provider Information Return (PIR) before the inspection. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection we spoke with the operations director, compliance manager, the clinical manager and the provider. The registered manager was unavailable on the day due to annual leave, however we spoke with them by telephone after the inspection. We also spoke with eight members of care staff, 12 people who used the service and five visiting relatives.
We looked at information related to care provision including six people’s care records and documentation to show how the service is run.
Updated
2 December 2017
Asquith Hall provides nursing and personal care for up to 53 people with dementia and mental health needs. The service is divided into two units: Willow unit on the ground floor which accommodates 25 people living with dementia, and Meadow View on the first floor which accommodates 28 people with mental health needs. There were 53 people using the service when we inspected.
At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
People told us they felt safe. Staff understood how to identify and report potential abuse, and there was a good culture of reporting incidents as required.
There were enough staff to provide safe care.
People’s medicines were well managed and stored securely.
Maintenance of the premises and servicing of equipment and fittings were up to date.
People were confident staff had the skills to provide effective care, and we saw training was kept up to date. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support ed this practice.
We saw the lunchtime meal was a relaxed experience for people, who were promptly assisted when needed. People could choose what they ate and told us they enjoyed the food.
Feedback about the caring nature of staff was consistently good. People were involved in care planning and review, and we saw staff had training to ensure people’s diverse needs were met.
People had access to a range of activities including trips to the local community and further afield. People went into the garden whenever they wished.
Complaints were managed well. The provider considered lessons that could be learnt from these.
We received positive feedback about the registered manager. There were systems in place to monitor and improve quality in the service, and we saw people, their relatives and staff were involved in these processes.
Further information is in the detailed findings below