We carried out a review of the data available to us about Oakdale 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 Oakdale, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
¿ Arrangements were in place for relatives and visitors to access the service safely. These included temperature checks and personal protective equipment [PPE]. There was a pod for relatives to use when visiting their loved ones.
¿ People had been supported to maintain contact with family and friends with telephone calls and window visits. Staff were very caring and provided people with support and reassurance.
¿ People were admitted safely to the service. There was an admissions policy in place and the service followed government guidance.
¿ Staff had received training in the correct use of PPE and knew how to work safely to minimise the risk of infection.
¿ The registered manager was following guidance on whole home testing for people and staff.
¿ The service was visibly clean. Cleaning schedules showed the frequency of cleaning undertaken, including regular deep cleaning.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People’s care was exceptionally person centred. The service worked innovatively with people, relatives and other professionals to adapt their support to meet people’s individual needs.
The service was highly responsive to people’s changing needs. We saw a number of examples where the service had worked promptly to support people in difficult situations, enabling them to achieve positive outcomes. Relatives and professionals spoke passionately about the impact the service had on people’s lives.
People were encouraged to take part in activities that were personalised and meaningful to them and people and relatives were fully involved in making decisions about care.
The service worked closely with people and their families to develop end of life care which met people’s individual preferences and ensured they were comfortable and well cared for.
People, relatives and professionals spoke highly of the staff, the registered manager and the positive and welcoming culture of the service.
Systems were in place to safeguard people and risks were assessed and monitored to enable people to do things safely whilst promoting their independence. People were supported to access a range of different health services
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.
Staff were well trained and knowledgeable and supported people with dignity, respect and kindness.
Medicines were managed safely and there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs.
The registered manager had good oversight of the service and was passionate about ensuring the service delivered a high standard of care. Staff felt very supported in their roles and were encouraged to learn and develop new skills.
People knew how to raise concerns and told us they felt comfortable talking to the registered manager and staff team. The registered manager sought regular feedback from people, relatives, staff and professionals about the service.
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 04 July 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor the 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.
Oakdale is registered to provide accommodation with personal care for up to 27 older people, some of whom may be living with dementia related needs. There were 24 people living at the service at the time of our inspection.
The service had a registered manager. 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.
People, relatives, social care and health professionals and staff spoke highly of the registered manager and gave positive feedback about the service provided. The registered manager was passionate and committed to providing a well led service. They placed people living at the service at the heart of everything and empowered and enabled staff to deliver a positive person centred culture which focussed on ensuring people's life experience at the service was of the utmost importance. Staff felt valued and well trained, were clear on their responsibilities and enjoyed their work. They shared the registered manager’s philosophy to provide good quality care.
The service was extremely responsive to people’s individual needs which had a positive impact on their lives. Staff had developed positive caring relationships with people. They knew people very well and were kind and sensitive to their needs and ensured their privacy and dignity was always respected. People’s nutritional needs were met and people were supported to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. People received support to access health care professionals and services when required and health care professionals were complimentary about the service.
People who used the service felt safe and were enabled and empowered, as far as they were able, to take responsibility for their own safety within the service and when accessing the local community; risks to people’s health and wellbeing were appropriately assessed, managed and reviewed. The registered provider’s recruitment procedures were robust and ensured that only suitable staff were employed. People were supported by staff that had the skills and experience needed to provide effective care and there were enough staff to help keep people safe, meet their needs and protect them from harm and abuse. People received their medication as prescribed and there were safe systems in place for receiving, administering and disposing of medicines.
People’s capacity to consent had been assessed and the registered manager and staff demonstrated a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and encouraged and supported people to make decisions and choices. Where people lacked the capacity to make decisions, best interest decisions had been made on their behalf.
Where possible people and their families were involved in the planning and review of their care and support; care plans were very person centred and were regularly reviewed. Staff actively promoted people’s independence and encouraged people to do as much as possible for themselves. Staff shared information effectively which meant that any changes in people’s needs were responded to appropriately.
There were robust, effective systems in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of the service provided. People living and working in the service had the opportunity to say how they felt about the home and the service it provided. Management were able to demonstrate how they measured and analysed the care and support provided to people, and how this ensured that the service was operating safely, continually improving to meet people’s needs and having a positive impact on the lives of people.