Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 21st January 2010. it is an annual review prepared by CQC after examining previous reports and information from the provider. At the time of this report, CQC judged the service to be Good.
The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection
and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.
For extracts, read the latest CQC inspection for The Gables Residential Care Centre.
Annual service review
Name of Service: The Gables Residential Care Centre The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.
Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?
No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Alyson Fairweather Date of this annual service review: 1 3 0 1 2 0 1 0 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 6 Information about the service
Address of service: Oak Lodge Close Bristol Road Chippenham Wiltshire SN15 1NG 01249658498 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:
ashgableshouse@aol.com Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Ashgables House Ltd Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : learning disability mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia Conditions of registration: The maximum number of service users who may be accommodated is 26. The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home only - Code PC to service users of either gender whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Learning disability (Code LD) Mental disorder (Code MD) Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the No service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 26 26 0 0 Annual Service Review Page 2 of 6 The Gables was registered to Ashgables House Limited in August 2007. The home is registered to provide care to 26 people who may have a mental health problem or learning disability. Ashgables House is a 24 bedded house comprising of two separate buildings, and an activities room. There are a number of communal areas as well as individual bedrooms to allow for privacy. There are no longer any shared bedrooms at Ashgables, so service users have full privacy. It is accessible to local amenities, transport and various support services. Minimum staffing levels are three care staff in each house during the day, with 2 staff in the evenings. At night there are two waking night staff in each house. Details of the weekly fees can be obtained directly from the home. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 6 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review:
What did we do for this annual service review? We last inspected this home in January 2008, and we did an Annual Service Review in January 2009. We looked at all the information that we have received, or asked for since then. This included: a) The annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) that was sent to us by the service. The AQAA is a self-assessment that focuses on how well outcomes are being met for people using the service. It also gave us some numerical information about the service. b) Surveys returned to us by people using the service and from other people with an interest in the service. c) Information we have about how the service has managed any complaints or safeguarding referrals. d) What the service has told us about things that have happened in the home. These are called notifications and are a legal requirement. e) The previous key inspection and the results of any other visits that we have made to the service in the last 12 months. f) Relevant information from other organisations. g) What other people have told us about the service. What has this told us about the service? The home sent us their annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. It was clear and gave us all the information we asked for. We looked at the information in the AQAA and our judgement is that the home is still providing a good service and that they know what further improvements they need to make. We also received written comments from 10 residents, 2 relatives and 3 staff members. For some months, Ashgables has been without a registered manager. The proprietors have appointed an acting manager until a permanent post is filled. The acting manager is responsible for the leadership of the staff team and the day to day running of the home. They told us in their AQAA that wherever possible each resident is be given the opportunity to contribute to and influence all decisions concerning any aspect of their home e.g. decor, management, activities, meals etc. They said they aim to provide the opportunity for people to make informed choices concerning all aspects of their lives. To support this ethos they have introduced an external independent advocacy service. They hold monthly residents meetings and listen to individuals views, ideas and suggestions, and also encourage them to take part in decision making as much as possible. They have set up Keyworker Meetings which provide people with the opportunity to express their views with their keyworker on a 1:1 basis. This is especially beneficial to those residents who choose not to attend meetings, or find it difficult to discuss issues within a group situation. They have recently introduced a suggestion box which gives them the opportunity to express their ideas anonymously at any time. One relative who wrote to us said: Of late, my relative has been taken for day trips, a short holiday, and a day out shopping. This is the first time since they have been here. They are also taken for appointments etc. where before they never left the Annual Service Review Page 4 of 6 home. I applaud her key worker. They also said that they had supported many residents to enrol with the local college to enhance their skills in cooking, computer skills, independent living, money management, craft skills, and literacy. Some people who had never been on holiday, did so for the first time last summer, and new activities have been introduced, such as aqua fit, gym, inter-dance, library and a local day centre. Outdoor activities are encouraged, including weekly day trips to places of interest such as the zoo, seaside, museums, parks, cinema, bowling, theatre and musical shows. One resident said: I have more activities now, and another said: I get taken on trips, and to the gym, and to college. One person said: I have good food, choice and activities. Staff are very supportive. One relative said: The home has been, and still is, on a continued path to improvement. I have been impressed with the changes being made to tailoring the care package to the individual. There has been a great improvement to transparency and communication. The staff at Ashgables are caring and professional - I have written to the manager to tell her how good one of the staff was with all the clients. One staff member told us: Since The Gables was taken over by Allied Care, service users are now much more independent. They have more access to the community, and their daily living and social activities have tremendously improved. Service users physical and emotional well-being has always been our first concern. Other things which staff said they felt the home did well, include: We promote all service users independence, We encourage independent activities, and We have a good standard of care. When we asked what the home could do better, one relative said: Wash clothes at a lower temperature so they are not damaged after one wash. They went on to say: This is only a small problem. Another relative wanted to make a suggestion. They said: I do realise staff are busy, but sometimes it would be nice if they could spare a few minutes just to sit and talk to the residents. I feel that because of their illnesses, residents feel isolated and lonely, perhaps unable to communicate, and unless causing trouble, are left alone. Most of the residents said: Nothing could be improved. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? Subject to any changes in registration practice following implementation of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, our current plan is to do a key inspection by 16th January 2011. However, we can inspect them at any time if we have concerns about the quality of the service or the safety of the people using the service. Annual Service Review Page 5 of 6 Reader Information
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