Ashby House - Milton Keynes

Ashby House is a purpose-built care service with all accommodation and facilities on one floor. There are three separate units to support people with differing primary needs.

Staffing levels were determined using a dependency tool and we saw there were sufficient staff to meet people's care needs. Staff provided mixed feedback about staffing levels. The staff team were becoming more stable after a period of change in recent months. Safe recruitment processes were used to ensure staff were suitable for their roles.

Accidents and incidents were recorded and followed up appropriately. These were regularly reviewed to identify if any actions could be taken to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Systems were in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse, and staff knew how to use them. People received their medicine safely from trained staff.

Risks associated to people's care were assessed, monitored and regularly reviewed. This ensured staff had the right information and guidance to ensure safe care provision. Infection prevention and control measures were followed to reduce the risk of infection spread.

The manager promoted an open culture in the service. Most of the feedback we received from people, relatives and staff was positive about how the service was run.

Audit processes were embedded in all key areas of the service so the provider could assure themselves of the quality and safety of service provision. The manager also had an action plan which identified and prioritised areas of improvement.

Staff worked with a range of health and social care professionals to ensure people's care and treatment needs were assessed, monitored and met.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice but records required updating.