This article has been updated to reflect that the CQC found "the home was generally clean and free from odours" following inspection and to include a statement from Ashbury Lodge
A care home has been reinspected as good despite a legal breach and concerns about “bad odours” in some areas.
Ashbury Lodge Residential Home was assessed from April to June 2024 by the CQC after it was contacted with “concerns about the service”.
The Swindon care home was found to be “good” in all respects following mixed feedback from relatives, and the inspectors saying improvement was needed.
The report concludes that the service was safe, medication was provided and recorded accurately, it understood people’s needs and safely recruited, trained and supported staff.
After spending multiple days in the home the CQC also found: "The home was generally clean and free from odours."
Reported feedback from relatives states: “Relatives provided mixed feedback about staffing levels in the home and one person told us there was a lack of stimulation for residents.
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“Relatives told us the home was clean but there were odours in the upstairs area.”
It continues to explain relatives complained about “bad” smells in family members’ rooms and upstairs.
Further issues were found including a breach of law in relation to good governance. The report explains the breach was in relation to people’s care plans not being up to date and accurate.
The care home has said that a "monumental amount of work" has been done to address the breach.
The report adds: “Care plans were not always completed fully and information was missing. For example, 1 care plan did not have a person’s fall history completed.
“There was also conflicting information in 2 people’s care plans around their needs in areas such as skin integrity and mobility.
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“One person was not always being repositioned in line with their care plan.”
Staff said there were not enough of them during medicine administration and some of the provider’s audits were ineffective, missing problems the inspectors found.
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It added: “Improvement was still needed in relation to keeping care plans up to date and accurate to provide safe care and treatment for people.”
The home specialises in accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care, caring for adults over and under 65 and dementia, among others.
Natasha Dreyer, Coate Water Care marketing manager, said about the legal breach: "A monumental amount of work has been carried out over the last months in the home in relation to care planning.
"This was recognised by CQC who have worked very closely with Ashbury Lodge and are happy that care plans are actioned for our residents.
"This reflects in the overall score that CQC have issued the home."
About the complaints of odours, she said: "CQC have a legal right to publish all comments provided by staff members or relatives at the time of the inspection however they understand and empathise that they are only opinions of one person and may not be factually correct which is why they conduct the inspections and investigate all comments raised.
"You will find in the report that CQC carried out a full investigation in relation to care plans and risk assessments and were happy that residents were being cared for safely and effectively."
According to the CQC it is run by Coate Water Care Company Ltd which runs four care homes in Wiltshire.
Avebury House in Devizes is overall rated as requiring improvement, while Downs View Care Centre is rated good.
An action plan was asked of the provider in response to the findings.
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