Ashgreen House Residential and Nursing Home

Summary of Findings

Building & Security 

Ashgreen House has level access from the street, through the car park and to the front automatic door. The area is well maintained, clean and well sign posted. The front entrance has a secure call system and there is manned front desk in reception.

The home is laid out over four floors and a lift is available to all floors. On the lower ground floor has the Artillery Suite, upper ground is the Grenavic Day Centre and Winns Suite, first floor has the Abbey and Ferry Suite and on the second floor is Trinity Suite. There are currently no services specifically for people with dementia but there are plans to convert the Artillery Suite into a Dementia suite.

The reception area is large, clean, and welcoming. The front entrance was open, but the front desk was manned. We were greeted at the front reception desk warmly and there was a sign in book for all visitors to complete. Hand sanitiser was available at the front desk but also throughout the corridors and public areas. There is a good number of seating throughout the spacious reception area. There are notice boards with up to date information, including the latest CQC report/rating and leaflets are available to visitors in the reception area.

Communal Areas

The public areas were clean and kept free from clutter. The areas were a comfortable temperature with no unpleasant smells detected. The areas are bright with natural light and there is a good amount of lighting in the noted. Some bulbs required replacement, but this didn’t affect the overall lighting. Contractor comes weekly to replace bulbs and carryout any other small jobs that are identified throughout the week. The areas feel homely and are decorated appropriately in nice colour palettes and have pictures, plants, and seating.

The corridors throughout the building are wide and bright. They all have hand rails, and these are painted in a contrasting colour, so they are distinguishable for residents with visual impairments. Each floor has a different colour theme which makes it easier to work out which floor you are on. In each suite there are different picture themes too for e.g. royal family, famous Hollywood stars of the 50’s/60’s. The signage to the emergency exits is clear and every door is labelled. Many doors, including the offices, toilets, and bathrooms, include pictorial representations on the doors also. The corridors also offer hand sanitiser, gloves, and drinking water in all suites.

The communal toilet and bathrooms were clean and looked newly fitted. Cleaning rotas are completed up to date and are displayed in the staff rooms. All include hand rails, and these are in contrasting colours. Even though no suite is dedicated to dementia care efforts have been made to ensure the toilets and bathrooms are dementia friendly. There is good signage to them all and there is a toilet located near each dining room/lounge. Baths can be requested by residents by letting a member of staff know.

The lounge/dining areas are open, cosy, and homely. They are divided into lounge and dining areas. The lounge has seats grouped together with a TV and the residents were noted watching TV, conversing with one another and with staff. There is a good supply of books, magazines, games available in the activity cupboard. There is Wi-Fi and mobile phone reception throughout the building. The dining area has a couple of groups of tables, with suitable seating, which is good for residents to interact with each other over mealtimes. There is also a quiet lounge in every suite which is a place for residents to use and can be used with visitors.

Residents rooms

The resident’s rooms are decent sizes, and all include a en-suite wet room. The rooms are of a comfortable temperature and have radiators and windows. Laundry is done for all residents and the laundry room was large, clean, and well organised. A TV can be provided by the residents or their relatives as well as a phone if needed. There is a call bell in the room which can be easily accessed if needed. The rooms can be personalised, and personal furniture can be brought too. All rooms can be locked by the residents from the inside. Memory boxes are made for residents and displayed by their doors to identify them to the individual.

Meals

There is a good choice of food available on the menus and these are changed daily. Menus are created for the month and then presented to the residents for feedback at the resident’s meetings. There are also alternatives which are always available should the options not appeal. Resident’s care plans include important information for e.g. allergies, if they are diabetic, if they require pureed food or have personal preferences with their food. The food is prepared by the kitchen staff on site and then transported to the dining room areas. Ashgreen house use a large supplier but some specialised seasoning or ingredients are purchased directly by the Kitchen if necessary. Drinks are available all day by calling the staff if the resident is in their room or they can ask a staff member while they are in the lounge areas. Residents can choose to have their breakfast in bed if wanted. Meal times are protected so visitors are asked not to visit during mealtimes. However, family members can request to assist their relatives with eating if this is desired. This information is also displayed on a whiteboard in the kitchen.

Feedback and service user involvement

Feedback is gathered from visitors via a feedback form and comment box which is in the reception area. This is important to so that compliments, comments, and improvements can be listened to and improve services. Monthly resident’s meetings are also held to gain feedback on all topics such as activities or menu changes.