A closer look at life at Ashfield Court Care Home in Harrogate

Healthwatch North Yorkshire visited Ashfield Court Care Home in Harrogate in November 2025 to hear directly from residents, their families, and staff about daily life in the home.

These visits help us understand what is working well and where small changes could make a positive difference for people living in care homes.

Ashfield Court provides residential and nursing care and is run by the Maria Mallaband Care Group. At the time of our visit, 35 people were living at the home.

Why these visits matter

Enter and View visits allow Healthwatch to see services in practice, speak with people who live and work there, and observe the care environment. They are not inspections, but a way to listen to experiences and share what people tell us to support learning and improvement.

What we see and hear is written up in a report, which is shared with the care home, the Care Quality Commission, North Yorkshire Council, and Healthwatch England.

What is working well

• The home was clean and well maintained. Residents were able to personalise their rooms, and we saw examples that had been attractively redecorated to reflect individual preferences.
• Staff were friendly, kind, and positive in their interactions with residents, with good rapport evident throughout the home. The service benefits from a long serving workforce, including a deputy manager with 30 years’ service, supporting continuity of care.
• Residents said staff were helpful with dressing and daily routines, and several commented that they felt well looked after.
• Residents appeared well presented, with clean clothing and good personal hygiene. The laundry service was viewed positively by residents and staff and was described as well managed.
• Meals looked appetising, and residents were satisfied with the quality and choice of food, including traditional dishes and alternatives such as curry and pasta. Residents chose meals in advance, supporting individual choice.
• A range of activity resources was available, including arts and crafts materials, games, and exercise equipment. Residents also spoke positively about a recent outing to a garden centre.
• The home is equipped with hoists to support safe moving and handling, and no safety concerns were observed. All bedrooms include an en suite toilet and sink and were of a suitable size to meet residents’ needs, supporting comfort and dignity.

Summary of findings

Overall, feedback from residents, families, and staff was largely positive. Residents described feeling well cared for, safe, and supported, and spoke warmly about staff. Observations during the visit reflected this feedback.

The visit also highlighted some practical areas where improvements could be made, particularly around signage, information for visitors, and seating for visitors in residents’ rooms.

What the care home has done since our visit

The care home shared that they have recently introduced snack stations within the home. These are stocked with snacks, and juice is available at all times for residents who would like something between meals. The home explained that this is to support residents who feel peckish during the day, and to make food and drink more accessible outside of mealtimes.

Recommended areas for improvement and the care home’s response

Signage and fire safety

Our recommendation
Signage throughout the home would benefit from being clearer and more visible. Some signage was small, poorly positioned, or lacked contrast, which may make wayfinding difficult for residents and visitors unfamiliar with the building. Bedroom door signage could be more personal and recognisable for residents. Fire evacuation information displayed on residents’ doors was lengthy and policy focused, and an easy read version could support understanding.

Response from the care home
The home said it recognises signage could be improved and has recently taken measurements for new signs to be issued by head office. Recent inspections by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and external health and safety inspectors identified an additional sign as required. The home said it will look at ways to improve bedroom door signage and confirmed that fire evacuation instructions have now been updated and printed in a clearer, easier to follow format.

Information for visitors

Our recommendation
Providing clear, accessible information about staff roles and who is leading the home on a given day could help residents and visitors recognise staff and understand who is responsible for different aspects of care. This would be particularly helpful for people with cognitive difficulties. Any information could be shared subtly, such as a discreet notice or small information booklet, while maintaining the home like environment.

Response from the care home
The home explained that, as a small care home, a staff board has not previously been used because staff are well known to residents and visitors and wear name badges showing their role. However, the home said it will look into providing a discreet information leaflet, which could be displayed in the conservatory entrance.

Visitor experience in bedrooms

Our recommendation
Several residents commented on the lack of seating for visitors in their rooms. While folding chairs are available and can be brought into rooms as needed, exploring simple solutions for seating in individual rooms, where space and mobility needs allow, could improve the visiting experience without compromising safety.

Response from the care home
The home said additional seating can be difficult because rooms need to remain uncluttered to support residents’ safety, particularly for those who mobilise independently with walking aids. As rooms vary in size and layout, the home said this will be assessed on an individual basis. It will look at making folding chairs more readily available in rooms and will consider additional armchairs where space and safety allow.

What happens next

Healthwatch North Yorkshire will continue to share people’s experiences to highlight good practice and encourage improvements in care services across North Yorkshire.

If you have experience of Ashfield Court Care Home, or any other health or social care service, you can share your views with us through our website or by contacting our team.