Enter and view: Ashview House Residential Home, Staffordshire

Healthwatch Staffordshire conducted an unannounced Enter and View visit on Ashview House Residential Care Home, a residential home with 22 places caring for adults over 65 years with varying needs, on 23rd October 2017.

The purpose of the visit was to determine whether improvements had been made following a CQC visit in January 2017 which resulted in the home being rated as “inadequate” and being placed in special measures. The areas of interest were:

- availability of activities

- whether residents feel staff have enough time to provide individual assistance when needed

- dignity

- availability of choices

- staffing levels, training and support

- quality of staff

- DoLs assessments.

The Enter and View representatives reported:

- the building is accessed via an unmade road with deep potholes, there is adequate parking and gardens are accessible to residents;

- internally, the furnishings were in good condition and there was no odour in the home;

- agency staff are not used;

- residents looked well-cared for and clean;

- dignity of residents is respected – there were notices available to be displayed on bedroom and bathroom doors to indicate personal care was taking place;

- all bedrooms have personal touches and call bells;

- there is open visiting for relatives, and relative meetings are held;

- there is no dedicated Activity Coordinator, staff do activities 1:1 with residents, funding for activities is provided by the owner upon request, activities include jigsaws, outings, singing, birthday celebrations;

- there is a daily menu displayed with an alternative choice available if required;

- staff interacted well with residents;

- staff training is mostly in-house and a training matrix is kept;

- staffing levels have not increased since the last CQC visit as resident numbers have reduced;

- they were advised that DBS and reference checks would be done on all new staff;

- they were advised that care plans are compiled with residents and relatives if appropriate and that DoLs are up to date;

- overall the visit went well – the staff were welcoming and the home is warm, clean and tidy.

There were no recommendations for the home in the report. A follow up visit in six months was recommended.

There was no provider response in the report.