Archived: Okehampton Hospital

Cavell Way, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1PN (01837) 658000

Provided and run by:
Devon PCT

Important: This service is now managed by a different provider - see new profile

All Inspections

16 February 2011

During a routine inspection

We observed staff caring for people in a polite and professionally humorous manner. We heard people being talked with kindly and in a way that showed respect. People told us they felt they were treated as an individual by staff, who they found kind and professional in their approach. People commented that 'They look after you' and another person said 'they make you feel at home'.

People told us that they understood the care they were receiving and that the nurses explained what support and care was needed to achieve their treatment aims. Another person told us they were being discharged that day having reached their rehabilitation objectives and their overall aim to return to their own home.

Not all care records showed how decisions are made about people's treatment. For example resuscitation decisions are recorded but these do not always include who has been involved in the decision or they do not clearly record how the decision has been made and some decisions are not reviewed when circumstances change, as they should be.

We asked people about the quality of the food provided. They said it was 'very good', 'satisfactory' and told us it suited their preferences, and that there was enough offered. Someone commented 'There's lovely porridge and toast in the morning, and I love their bakes at lunch'. Another said 'I'm going on a bit of a diet when I get home' and another person joked that their clothes had become tight since their stay as they enjoyed the food. People told us they were offered a choice of meals from a menu and praised the quality of the cakes baked on the premises. One person added 'You get plenty to drink'.

People told us about how their discharge home was being planned and could give us examples of good practice.

People told us they felt safe with staff, both in terms of their skills and as individuals.

People told us that this hospital is always very clean. They say that their bed linen is changed frequently. We found that good systems and practice are in place to ensure the hospital is kept clean and that the spread of infection is controlled.

People told us they thought staff seemed skilled, knew what assistance people needed, and were well organised.

People told us they were satisfied with their hospital experience and praised the quality of care they received, the attitude of staff, the cleanliness of the building and the quality of the food.

People felt that their written records were kept in a confidential way.