We inspected Ashdale Care Home 12 July 2017 and it was unannounced. They provide accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 22 older adults. There were 18 people living at the service when we visited and some of the people were receiving end of life care.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

They were last inspected on 6 January 2015 and were found to be good overall but to require improvement in providing activities that interested people and recording complaints. At this inspection we found that improvements had been made. People were encouraged to pursue interests and hobbies and regular activities were planned. Partnerships with external organisations had extended the range of activities on offer and completed life histories ensured that they were planned in line with people’s interests.

Complaints were managed within the provider’s procedure and any concerns were resolved promptly. Visitors were welcomed at any time and they were encouraged to provide feedback through meetings and more informally. Families were welcomed to stay when people were being cared for at the end of their lives. Staff were trained and supported to provide care which met people’s wishes at this time. Dignity and privacy was maintained at all times.

Staff developed caring relationships with the people they supported which were respectful and patient. They knew people well and provided care that met their preferences. They understood the importance of consent and always explained to people what care they were going to provide. People’s capacity to consent to their care and make their own decisions was assessed and reviewed when required.

People received the medicines they were prescribed safely and there were systems in place to reduce the risks associated with them. They were supported to maintain good health and had regular access to healthcare professionals. Their care plans were regularly reviewed to correspond with changing support needs and they were personalised and accessible.

People were kept safe by staff who could identify signs of abuse and knew where to report any concerns. Staff received training and support to enable them to fulfil their role effectively and were encouraged to develop their skills. People told us that there were always enough staff to meet their needs promptly.

Mealtimes were not rushed and people said that the food was good. We saw that food and drink was regularly provided and records were maintained for people who were nutritionally at risk.

The provider completed quality audits to continually drive improvements. They also met their regulatory requirements.

This inspection took place on 6 January 2015 and was unannounced. It was our first inspection since the new provider had taken over the service.

Ashdale Care Home provides accommodation, nursing and personal care to older people and there were 21 people receiving a service when we visited.

The registered manager was present throughout this inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Some improvement was needed in responding to people’s individual needs with respect to their interests and preferences and also in the way the outcomes of complaints were recorded, but overall a good service was provided.

People were safely cared for by enough staff who knew what action to take to keep everyone safe. The provider used safe systems when new staff were recruited and all risks to safety were minimised. Medicines were well managed to make sure people received them safely as prescribed.

Staff received regular training and knew how to meet people’s individual needs. Any important changes in people’s needs, or about the needs of people who had just arrived, were passed on to all staff when they started their shifts, so that they all knew how to meet their needs.

People had sufficient food and drink and staff supported them individually, if needed. People’s health needs were met by the nurses in the home, who arranged additional healthcare support promptly when needed.

Staff were kind to people and cared about them. Choices were given to people at all times. People’s privacy and dignity were respected and all confidential information was held securely.

A representative of the provider company visited regularly and actively monitored the quality of the service.