Astor Lodge

The following is CQC's published account of its assessment, published 5 April 2025. References to “we” mean CQC. It describes findings at that time.

Date of assessment: 11 March 2025 to 20 March 2025. Astor Lodge is a care home providing accommodation with personal and nursing care to younger adults, older people, and people who may live with dementia. The service provided permanent care and rehabilitation to people discharged from hospital, to help prepare them to return home. The service can accommodate up to 29 people, at the time of our visit 28 people were using the service. A registered manager was in post. At our last inspection we identified a breach of legal regulation in relation to staffing, as a system of supervision and appraisal was not in place for staff. At this inspection improvements had been made, and the service was no longer in breach of legal regulations. However, other improvements were required to staff deployment, activities and entertainment, and care records to ensure people received safe and person-centred care. Risks to people had been assessed and care plans were in place to help mitigate risks as far as possible. We advised care plans should contain person-centred guidance for staff on how people were to be supported so consistent care was provided. Accidents and incidents were investigated, action taken, and lessons learned. There were sufficient trained staff who worked with other professionals to ensure people's needs were met in a safe way. However, as staff were busy, people were not always engaged and, if they wished occupied with activities, and they did not always receive timely care. People received a varied and nutritious diet. Staff spoke positively about working at the service, management and the people they cared for. They were attentive and treated people with kindness and compassion. People, relatives and staff were regularly consulted and asked to give their feedback about service provision. A mostly effective governance system was in place, however we advised some improvements to include more frequent audits, to ensure and maintain the quality of service provision.