Oldfield House

Updated 8 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 carried out by 1 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

Oldfield House 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. Oldfield House 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 no registered manager in post. The deputy manager was covering the management of the home and the recruitment process to select a new manager had commenced.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

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 4 people who used the service and 3 relatives to gain their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 7 members of staff including the director of operations, deputy manager and members of the care, domestic and catering teams. In addition, a healthcare professional gave us feedback on their experience of the service. We reviewed a range of records, including people's care records and medicine records. We looked at 3 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.

Updated 8 September 2023

About the service

Oldfield House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 34 people. At the time of the inspection there were 24 people living at the home. Some people were living with dementia.

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

The provider had a system in place to protect people from the risk of abuse. Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse and were confident appropriate action was taken to keep people safe. Risks associated with people’s care had been identified and managed safely. People received their medicines as prescribed. Maintenance and building checks were carried out in line with current guidance and requirements.

The home was clean, and staff were following infection control guidance. Accidents and incidents were analysed, and action was taken to mitigate future risk.

The providers recruitment system ensured staff were safely employed. However, we noted documentation could be improved. We observed staff interacting with people and found there were sufficient staff available to support people. However, sometimes staff required direction to ensure they were deployed effectively.

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 supported by staff who knew them well. Staff were kind, caring and considerate. Signage was in place to help people navigate around the home. There was a lack of social activities for people to engage in. The provider was in the process of recruiting to the post of well-being lead, whose role will be to ensure people have access to social stimulation.

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 this service was good (published 4 March 2020).

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to leadership, person centred care and risks associated with people’s care. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has remained 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.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make some improvements. Please see the well led section of this full report.

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

Follow up

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