Okeley Care Home

Updated 27 September 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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 completed by 2 inspectors, a bank inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Okeley Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Okeley Care Home is a care home with 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.

Inspection activity started on 14 August 2023 and ended on 31 August 2023. We visited the location’s service on 16 August 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the Local Authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 10 people who used the service and 5 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 18 members of staff, which included the registered manager, quality and development pathway partner, team leaders, care staff, kitchen, domestic staff and 2 visiting professionals.

We reviewed 11 people's care plans and 5 staff recruitment files. We also looked at the service's quality assurance systems, arrangements for managing medicines and staff training and supervision records. We received information by email from 2 professionals.

Updated 27 September 2023

Okeley Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 84 people aged 65 and over. At the time of the inspection there were 82 people living at the service, the majority of people were living with dementia. The building was purpose built and accommodated people over 3 floors.

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

People and their relatives were very positive about using the service and feedback from them was good.

Suitable arrangements were in place to keep people safe. Policies and procedures were followed by staff to safeguard people and staff understood these procedures. Risks to people were identified and managed to prevent people from receiving unsafe care and support.

Medicine arrangements ensured people received their medicines as prescribed. People were protected by the provider's arrangements for the prevention and control of infection.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff were recruited safely. Suitable checks were undertaken to ensure the right staff were employed to care for people. Arrangements were in place for learning and making improvements.

Suitable arrangements were in place for staff to receive a robust induction, appropriate training, and regular supervision. People’s dining experience was positive, and their nutrition and hydration needs were met. The service ensured people received appropriate healthcare support from healthcare services. The service worked together with professionals and other organisations to ensure people received coordinated care and support.

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 were treated with care, kindness, dignity, and respect. People received care and support that met their needs and preferences. Staff had a good knowledge and understanding of people's specific care and support needs, how they wished to be cared for and supported. The rapport between staff and people using the service was positive.

People had a personalised care plan describing their specific needs, wishes and preferences. Activities and events were provided to meet people’s social and leisure needs and to reduce isolation. Systems were in place to ensure people were cared for at the end of their life.

Complaints were investigated and managed. People were involved in the development of the service. Robust arrangements were in place for the oversight of the service and to monitor the quality of the service provided.

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

Rating at last inspection and update.

An inspection took place in February 2019 and found the service to be requires improvement in all key questions. The provider completed an action plan after this inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

We returned in November 2020 and found the key question of safe to be good and key question of well led to be requires improvement.

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 17 December 2020). At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last two inspections.

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

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.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Okeley Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.