Downshaw Lodge Care Home Ashton-under-Lyne

CQC Overall Rating: Requires Improvement (Latest inspection: assessment began 16 October 2024, concluded 25 November 2024; report published 29 January 2025)

  • Safe: Requires Improvement
  • Effective: Requires Improvement
  • Caring: Good
  • Responsive: Requires Improvement
  • Well-led: Requires Improvement Care Quality Commission+1

🏡 Accommodation & Facilities

  • Purpose-built residential and nursing care home on Downshaw Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, operated by Qualia Care Limited (cqc.org.uk) Care Quality Commission.
  • Split into two units—Mason and Sheldon—over two floors, with approximately 45 bedrooms, supporting up to 44 people (37 residents at inspection) Care Quality Commission.
  • Described by provider as a clean, welcoming home with ongoing refurbishment, dementia-friendly dĂ©cor, a ‘pamper’ bathroom, retro-style barber’s shop, and a secure dementia garden HousingCareQualia Care –.

đŸ©ș Care Services Offered

  • Provides nursing and personal care, supporting adults over 65, including those with dementia, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, and complex health needs Care Quality CommissionCare Sourcer.
  • Offers long-term, permanent, and respite stays as needed.

✅ Inspection & Oversight

  • The October–November 2024 assessment identified multiple areas needing improvement across core domains: safe care, effective oversight, responsiveness, and leadership.
  • Concerns included breaches in person-centred care, safe care and treatment, staffing, environment, and governance Care Quality Commission.
  • Issues also involved recordkeeping, medication management, documentation quality, nutritional oversight, and safeguarding protocols—including deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) shortcomings. An action plan was requested Care Quality Commission.
  • The home has since been under the multi-agency concerns (MAC) process, with CQC noting ongoing improvement work, staff training, and local authority partnership, without further concerns raised as of mid-2024 Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.

🌟 Resident & Family Feedback

  • Public reviews show very high satisfaction, with an overall average score of 8.3/10, based on recent feedback carehome.co.uk.
  • Families emphasize exceptional staff kindness, compassionate dementia care, excellent communication, and dignified support during end-of-life; suggestions include minor dĂ©cor updates carehome.co.uk.

🎹 Lifestyle & Activities

  • While detailed activity offerings aren’t widely publicised, provider descriptions highlight a dementia-friendly garden and a welcoming environment. The active refurbishment suggests a commitment to enhancing residents’ living experience HousingCareQualia Care –.

Location & Access

  • Situated on Downshaw Road, near Ashton-under-Lyne town centre Care Quality CommissionHousingCare.
  • Proximity to local shops, transport, and community amenities ensures convenient access for families and a connection to the local area.

Summary

Downshaw Lodge, Ashton-under-Lyne, is a ‘Requires Improvement’ rated nursing and residential care home with strong community and family support, compassionate staff, and a comfortable environment. While recent inspections highlighted serious concerns—particularly around safety, governance, care documentation, and oversight—the provider is actively working through multi-agency support to address these issues. Families consistently praise its caring atmosphere, dedication, and support for loved ones.