Ashbourne Lodge in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, a nursing home providing personal and nursing care to older people was rated outstanding for being effective, caring, responsive and well-led following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The safe element of the report received the score of Good.
The inspection took place on the 4 November 2019.
The CQC report highlighted that residents were provided with exceptional levels of support to eat and drink. The serving of breakfast had been reviewed and throughout the morning there was a self-service breakfast bar with a choice of food to eat and prepare. The food was displayed on low tables to support people to prepare their breakfast independently. Staff explained that people had a choice to get their own meal or to have this served. Staff had identified that people had been eating more food since the breakfast counter had been introduced and residents welcomed the new way of having breakfast.
Residents were involved in the planning and development of their care plan, created around people's abilities and described what support they needed from staff. Staff knew people exceptionally well and included information about things that were important to them. For example, where residents had a doll they cared for as a 'baby', this was included in the care plan and detailed how staff were to support them to look after their 'baby'. If the baby was helped to wash, the person would help and maintain their own personal hygiene. This reduced anxiety and residents found happiness and comfort from this.
There was a comprehensive handover of information to ensure staff knew of any changes. The electronic care plan meant any review or changes were made in real time and the system required staff to record that they had read this information to demonstrate they understood the changes to the support people needed.
Staff were aware of how language could be used to have positive outcomes. Staff invited people to take part in activities, asked for help and thanked them for participating. Staff explained that asking people to take an active role in their care empowered them and promoted their independence and well-being.
