Ashley Gardens Care Centre

Risk assessments had improved since our last inspection and contained a good level of detail to inform staff how to keep people safe. People and their relatives told us they felt safe living in Ashley Gardens Care Centre. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and knew when to report concerns and to whom. The service and people’s rooms were clean and tidy and corridors unobstructed. Medicines were managed safely in accordance with guidelines. People told us that at times they needed to wait for care tasks as the staff can be busy. Observation showed that on some floor staff appeared very busy and rushed.

People’s needs were assessed before they moved into the service and these assessments were used to formulate the person-centred care plan for each person. The provider used recognised assessment tools for some elements of the assessment. Staff supported people to access other health professionals when required.

Leaders and staff were caring and treated people respectfully. People’s dignity and privacy was maintained during personal care and people were offered choices. People were encouraged to maintain their independence by doing things for themselves where they could. 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 provider’s policies and systems supported this practice.

Care planning and delivery was person-centred and staff were knowledgeable about people’s personal support needs. This included communication needs and emotional or social needs. People were treated equally and respectfully by staff who knew them well. There were a range of activities offered to people depending on their preferences and adjustments were made for people who needed to or wanted to remain in their rooms.

The provider had a quality monitoring system in place with regular audits being undertaken, for example, in medicines, infection control and health and safety. Shortfalls found during audits were acted upon and reviewed regularly with the team. Lessons learned from incidents were shared. Staff told us the management team were approachable and supportive.