The Oaks Residential Care Home

Updated 29 March 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

The Oaks residential care home is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. The Oaks residential care home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we already held about this service. This included details of its registration, previous inspection reports and any notifications of significant incidents the provider had sent us. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well and we used all this information to plan our inspection. This information helps support our inspections. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people and 1 relative who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 6 members of staff including the activities coordinator, the chef, the registered manager who is also a director for the provider. We also spoke with one visiting health care professional. We also used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 5 people’s care records and multiple medicines records. We looked at 5 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed. Following our visit to the service we also spoke with three relatives about their experience of care.

Updated 29 March 2023

About the service

The Oaks residential care home is a residential care home which was providing personal care to 21 people at the time of our inspection. All people living at the service were older people, most of whom were living with dementia. The service can support up to 26 people in one adapted building over three floors.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were kept safe. There were systems in place to help protect people from abuse. Infection control practice followed national guidance and sought to keep people safe from infection. Visiting to the service was permitted; We spoke with registered manager at inspection, and they increased the times when people could be visited and removed the booking process they had for visits. People’s risks were assessed and monitored. People told us there were enough staff working at the service and recruitment processes were robust. Medicines were managed in a safe way. Lessons were learned when things went wrong as incidents were recorded and actions completed to keep people safe.

The service worked effectively. People’s needs were assessed in line with the law, prior to their admission. Staff received induction and training, so they knew how to work effectively with people. Staff were supported in their role through supervision and appraisal. People were supported to eat, drink and maintain healthy diets. Staff communicated effectively with other agencies, including health care services, to ensure people received good care. The provider had adapted the building to ensure it met people’s needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People’s choices were respected, and decisions made in their best interests.

The service was caring. People and relatives thought staff were caring. People were supported to express their views. People’s privacy and dignity were respected, and their independence promoted.

The service was responsive. Care plans were person-centred, and staff knew people’s preferences. People’s communication needs were met. People were able to take part in activities they could enjoy. People and relatives could complain and when they did, complaints were responded to appropriately. The service recorded people’s end of life wishes and people and relatives were treated with respect and dignity when people approached the end of their lives.

The service was well led. A positive person-centred culture was promoted. People, relatives, and staff thought highly of the management. The registered manager understood duty of candour and acted appropriately when it was felt the service could do better. Staff understood their roles and the registered manager fulfilled the service’s regulatory requirements. People, relatives, and staff were able to be engaged and involved with the service through meeting and providing feedback. There were quality assurance systems so care could be monitored and improved. The service worked with other agencies to the benefit of people using the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service was good published on 18 January 2018.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about potential safeguarding concerns raised via complaint and also visiting times. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.