We carried out a review of the data available to us about Oakdene Care Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Oakdene Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Oakdene Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 31 people at the time of the inspection. Oakdene Care Home offers accommodation for up to 32 people in a detached property in Oldham.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told and indicated to us that they felt safe and were happy living at the service. Potential risks to people health, welfare and safety had been assessed and there was guidance for staff to mitigate the risks. People were supported by staff who had been recruited safely.
Staff received appropriate training for their role. People told us there was enough staff to support them and to do the activities they wanted.
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 cared for by staff who were kind and compassionate. Staff were happy in their jobs which helped to provide a warm and relaxed environment for people to live in. People had built good relationships with staff and during the inspection we heard laughter and observed meaningful interactions.
People received care and support in a way that met their personal needs and enabled them to follow their own routines, interests and beliefs. People who lived at the home were treated as individuals and chose how they spent their time.
The registered manager completed checks and audits on the quality of the service. People, relatives and staff were asked for their opinions of the service. When staff and people made suggestions, these were acted upon.
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: The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 21 September 2018) and there was one breach of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
This was the first rated inspection of this service under a new provider that was registered in January 2018. The inspection had been brought forward prompted by concerns relating to a specific incident. This incident was subject to an investigation and as a result this inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident.
This service is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and/or nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
We found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Risk assessments relating to the health, safety and welfare of people using services were incomplete or incorrect. You can see what action we asked the provider to take at the back of this report.
There was a lack of security to the laundry building which meant that people could access an area that could put their safety at risk. We recommended that the service review the security of this area as a matter of urgency.
Relatives were exceptionally positive about the support their loved ones received and told us about the pleasant atmosphere at the home.
People who used the service told us they felt safe. Staff knew how to report safeguarding concerns. We saw that recruitment procedures were sufficiently robust to help ensure that people were protected from the risk of unsuitable staff being recruited.
The administration of medicines was safe. Nursing staff administered medicines and had up to date policies and procedures to follow.
People were supported by a stable staff team who were knowledgeable and well trained. They had worked together for a number of years and knew the people who used the service well. People told us there were enough staff on duty. We saw that the staffing ratio reflected the needs of the residents.
The staff we spoke with had a good understanding of people's individual needs and the support they required.
Systems were in place to ensure that people at the end of life received appropriate care in accordance with their wishes, and were supported with the relevant healthcare as needed.
The home was clean and tidy. The environment was maintained to a good standard and was homely in character.
Electrical and gas appliances were serviced regularly. Each person had a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) and there was a business plan for any unforeseen emergencies.
There were systems in place to prevent the spread of infection. Staff were trained in infection control and provided with appropriate equipment and handwashing facilities. This helped to protect the health and welfare of staff, people who used the service and visitors.
Staff had been trained in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities of how to apply any best interest decisions under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and followed the correct procedures using independent professionals.
People told us the manager was approachable and would listen and respond to any issues raised. The home regularly sought feedback, and took action to improve the quality of the service.
People felt cared for by staff who were kind and respectful of their wishes. Most staff had completed training in equality and diversity and understood people were entitled to privacy and to express their views and opinions. Staff were respectful of people's relationships with their family and friends.
We found that in some parts of the building radiators were left uncovered. This presented a risk to people using the service, visitors and staff. We recommended that the provider arranges for the radiators to be covered with an appropriate surround which should be attached securely to the wall so that they can be used safely when the temperature is turned up.