Skip to content
CQC ExplainedEvery inspection report, in plain English

CQC report explained · a nursing home, run by Abbey Total Care Group

Ashbrook Nursing Home

217-219 Chase Cross Road, Collier Row, Romford, RM5 3XS

Goodpublished 5 September 2023, 2 years ago

Rated Good: inspectors found the service performing well and meeting their expectations.

The five questions inspectors ask
Safe?
Requires improvement
Inspectors found systems to protect people, enough staff, safe medicine storage and good infection control. However, some risk assessments lacked personalised guidance, records were difficult to find, and one medicine administration was not recorded.
Effective?
Good
People's health, nutrition and hydration needs were assessed and supported. Staff received training and worked with health professionals, although inspectors recommended improving the mealtime experience.
Caring?
Good
People and relatives described staff as kind, caring and respectful. Inspectors saw patient interactions, people being treated with dignity, and support that reflected their histories, choices and beliefs.
Responsive?
Good
Care plans were personalised and people were offered choices, activities and support to maintain relationships. The move from paper to electronic records meant some information was inconsistent or difficult to locate.
Well-led?
Good
The home had a clear management structure, regular meetings and quality checks. Inspectors found a positive and open culture, but some problems were identified by inspectors rather than the home's own checks.
The latest report, explained

What inspectors found, September 2023

Rated Good overall, but Safe Requires Improvement because some risk guidance, records and medicine recording were not always reliable.

The inspection was unannounced and took place on 26 July 2023. Inspectors observed care, spoke with 15 people, four relatives and staff, and reviewed care plans, medicines records, recruitment, training, quality checks and infection control.

The home was rated Good overall. Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led were all rated Good. Inspectors found kind and respectful care, enough staff, suitable training, person-centred support, activities and a positive management culture.

Safe was rated Requires Improvement, as at the previous inspection. Some risk assessments did not give enough personalised guidance, some records were difficult to find during the move to electronic records, and one medicine administration had not been recorded correctly. The home took action after the inspection to address these issues.

What inspectors praised

  • Kind and respectful care

    People and relatives were positive about staff. Inspectors saw warm interactions, patience and respect for people's privacy, dignity and choices.

    “We observed staff engaging with people politely and patiently. There were warm and caring interactions between them.” from the report

  • Enough suitable staff

    Inspectors found enough staff with the skills and experience to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks were completed appropriately.

    “There were enough staff with the right skills and experience to meet the needs of people in the home.” from the report

  • Good health support

    People's health, food and drink needs were monitored. Staff worked with doctors and other health professionals when support was needed.

    “The staff and management team worked well with health professionals to ensure people were in the best of health.” from the report

  • Meaningful activities

    People were offered regular activities and outings, including a seaside trip on the inspection day. Relatives and friends were able to visit.

    “The schedule showed that there were 2 activities per day.” from the report

  • Positive management culture

    People, relatives and staff could approach managers with concerns. The home used meetings, feedback and audits to support improvements.

    “The provider had established a positive culture in the home.” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about

  • Risk plans lacked detail

    serious

    Two people at risk of epileptic seizures did not have enough personalised guidance about what staff should do during a seizure. The manager updated these plans after the inspection.

    “There was a lack of detail in relation to what action staff should take should the person have a seizure.” from the report

  • Important records were hard to find

    needs fixing

    During the move from paper to electronic records, staff could not locate some care plans and risk information when inspectors asked for them. The information was provided after the inspection.

    “Staff were not able to locate some records when we asked for them but after the inspection the registered manager sent the information requested.” from the report

  • Medicine administration was not recorded

    serious

    In one instance, staff did not record that medicines had been given. This could have led to an additional dose being given. The provider arranged further training and competency checks afterwards.

    “This could leave people at risk of being given additional doses incorrectly because the first dose was not recorded.” from the report

  • Mealtimes could be more comfortable

    minor

    Menus were not always visible, some people ate from attached tables rather than dining tables, and music was sometimes too loud. Inspectors made a recommendation about improving the mealtime experience.

    “We recommend the provider explores best practice guidance around meal time experiences for people in large care homes.” from the report

  • Some areas needed better upkeep

    needs fixing

    Inspectors saw worn furniture and one cluttered area that could have affected access to fire exits. The area was cleared immediately.

    “We also found one small section of the home to be cluttered which could prevent access to fire exits.” from the report
Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01What changes have been made to the two seizure risk assessments, and how are staff told what to do if a seizure happens?
  2. 02How do you make sure staff can quickly find the correct care plans and risk assessments on the electronic records system?
  3. 03What checks now confirm that every medicine dose has been recorded immediately after administration?
  4. 04What have you changed to improve menus, dining tables and noise levels during mealtimes?
  5. 05How are worn furniture and fire exit access checked and kept safe?

This was an unannounced inspection covering all five key questions, including infection prevention and control, and it looked at both the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 5 September 2023 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.

The story over the years

Every inspection of Ashbrook Nursing Home

4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.

  1. September 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed Good
    Safe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read what inspectors found at Ashbrook Nursing Home →

  2. August 2019Goodup from Requires improvement
    Safe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    We are reading this report · the original is on cqc.org.uk

  3. July 2018Requires improvementdown from Good
    Safe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  4. November 2015Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  5. March 2014

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  6. August 2013

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  7. September 2012

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  8. February 2011

    Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 February 2011.

Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission. A service can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections, not every contact the CQC has had with the service.

Another option

Or stay at home with a private carer

Many people who look at care homes end up staying at home with a carer who comes in for a few hours a day, or lives in. PrimeCarers introduces you to self-employed carers you choose yourself: interviewed, ID and DBS checked, from about £20 an hour or £1,120 a week live-in.

About live-in careHow PrimeCarers works
Nearby

Other care homes near Romford

All in Havering

Abbey Care Home

Romford, RM5 · 2.3 km
Good
ResidentialDementia
Rated 3 years agocare home

Nightingale House

Romford, RM2 · 2.4 km
Good
ResidentialDementia
Rated 3 years agocare home