Enter and view: Bognor Regis - Ashley House

Reference 5136

Ashley House (West Sussex)

Healthwatch West Sussex’s team of authorised representatives made an announced Enter and View visit to Ashley House, a registered accommodation for young adults with physical and associated disabilities, on 12th January 2015. Ashley House has 16 rooms and staff provide personal (but not nursing) care to residents.

This project was initially planned as a responsive visit to feedback which Healthwatch West Sussex had received about alleged deficiencies in care at Ashley House, and as a follow up from the May 2014 CQC inspection where lay perspective might add value and complement their findings. The intention was to get an overall sense by asking open questions on dignity issues from residents, relatives and staff where available.

The questionnaire used by the team expands the enquiry into general issues of dignity. These include prompts on choice & control, communication and pain management, personal hygiene, privacy and social inclusion.

The team interviewed the Manager, 4 residents and 3 staff members.

The residents acknowledged the choices they had in their care plans and that staff assisted appropriately. However, some anxiety was expressed about the move to the new premises and the possible lack of choices there. The residents spoken to agreed that most carers, mainly the permanent staff, spoke respectfully and that resident were given time to speak and were listened to. The agency staff didn’t always speak as respectfully though.

There was evidence of good practice while observing residents with significant communication difficulties being given time to talk and included in conversations, through Makaton signing and other communication formats.

Pain management was well handled by the staff though, residents are now required to purchase medication which was previously provided by the home.

The team observed that all residents were smartly dressed, and they were told that staff maintained the residents’ appearance and hygiene well. Privacy and confidentiality was maintained well by the staff at the home with no major complaint from the residents.

Although there was little evidence of social or group activities in the home, there were many examples of how the residents go out into the community and have contact with friends and family or use social media.

The Healthwatch team made a few recommendations based on all the findings and feedback.

The service provider has provided a detailed response in relation to purchasing the pain medication, residents privacy, social inclusion, staff training and other matters.

The response also highlights the provider’s determination to improve the service welcomes the feedback received on it.