Archived: Oak House

Updated 4 December 2019

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.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector, an assistant 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

Oak House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection we looked at the information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included notifications, enquires and information from the public. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection-

We spoke with, or observed the care given to 11 people who lived in the home. Some people were living with dementia and were unable to communicate verbally with us. We observed people who were sitting in the lounge and dining room to help us understand their experience of living in the home. The registered manager (who is also the provider) was present during the morning of the inspection. We also spoke with one relative and five members of staff. We looked around the home and checked all bedrooms and communal areas.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including health and safety checks and related documents, and also policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records

Updated 4 December 2019

About the service

Oak House is a residential care home providing personal care to 11 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The care home accommodates up to 11 people in one adapted building.

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

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 told us they felt safe. Comments included, “Yes I feel very safe here. Everyone is very kind and very caring here”. People were supported by sufficient suitably trained and competent staff to meet their needs safely. Care was taken to recruit staff who were entirely suitable for the job. Staff turnover was low and there was a positive and stable staff team. The home and equipment were well maintained and safe. Medicines were administered safely.

People’s needs had been assessed and care plans had been drawn up and were regularly reviewed. Some parts of the care plans would benefit from more detailed information about people’s preferences. However, staff knew people well and knew their likes and dislikes. People and their relatives were involved and consulted about the service. People told us they were confident they could raise any concerns or complaints, and these would be listened to and addressed.

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 offered choices in all aspects of their daily lives. They were offered a varied and nutritious range of meals to suit all dietary needs and preferences.

People told us the staff were kind and caring. A person said, “Staff here are very kind, and you can talk to them”. There was a wide range of activities and outings provided to suit each person’s social needs. People were supported to maintain hobbies and interests and keep in touch with families and friends.

People told us they were happy with all aspects of the service. A relative told us, “The size of the home matters. It’s wonderfully intimate”. The provider sought people’s views on the service. There were systems in place to review the quality of care and make improvements where necessary.

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