Ashwood Nursing Home - Spalding

Key findings

We carried out this assessment on 02 September 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.

People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through a procedure called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA and how they managed DoLS within the service. We found that staff and management worked within the MCA. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen. People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions they had choice, control and freedom over their lives. However, some mental capacity assessments did not fully demonstrate how people had been supported to understand decisions and express their views. The registered manager agreed to improve recording.

There was a positive learning culture where incidents, accidents and feedback were used to improve care. Staff understood safeguarding responsibilities and risks to people's health, safety and wellbeing were assessed with clear guidance in place.

People lived in a clean, welcoming and well maintained environment. Personal quotes displayed outside bedrooms reflected people's individuality and values. Opportunities remained to improve dementia friendly signage to support independence.

There were enough skilled staff to meet people's needs safely. Staff knew people well and recruitment processes supported safe staffing. A particular strength was the open culture created by the registered manager. Anonymous digital feedback systems encouraged engagement, communication and learning. Staff consistently reported feeling valued, supported and listened to.

Medicines were managed safely. Staff received training and regular competency checks. People confirmed they received medicines safely. Minor recording issues relating to medicated skin patches were identified and addressed on the day of inspection. A professional told us, “Our experience of working with Ashwood Nursing Home has been positive. The team demonstrate a caring, organised and resident-focused approach, with a clear commitment to effective medicines management, good communication and the wellbeing and safety of the people in their care.”

Care plans contained clear guidance about people's preferences, health needs and signs of deterioration. Evidence based assessment tools were used and staff respected people's choices and consent. Some records relating to distress would benefit from clearer descriptions of triggers and appropriate responses. We also identified opportunities to use more positive and person-centred language within care records.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Feedback from people and relatives was consistently positive. Staff supported independence and choice. Mealtimes were relaxed and people were supported at their own pace.

Visitors could attend freely and people had access to meaningful activities including exercise, crafts, gardening, church services and social events. Communication needs were considered and accessible information was available. One person benefited from support in their first language and the use of visual communication aids.

People were supported to access healthcare services. Dementia champions had introduced a relatives' coffee afternoon. This gave relatives opportunities to share experiences about the impact of Dementia, access support and build connections with others in similar circumstances. Feedback from relatives who had attended had been positive.

The service continued to explore ways of implementing people’s preferences about having their bedroom door open or closed while balancing safety, privacy and dignity. The registered manager worked with the local authority on a falls prevention project. Subsequently, there were very low levels of falls among people at risk. A relative told us, “When [my family member] was at home, they were falling all the time but have not had one fall since they moved in.” Another relative said they had a similar experience. They told us, “Falls was our big concern as [my family member] was falling when at home. No falls since they have been in the Home.”