Oak Grange

Updated 13 August 2025

Date of Assessment: We visited the home on 7 October 2025 and continued to view evidence remotely on 9 and 13 October 2025. The service is a nursing home providing support to older people living with dementia, nursing needs and physical disabilities.

This inspection was to follow up on actions from the last inspection in August 2023. At that inspection the provider was in breach of legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, consent, staffing, person centered care and governance. Improvements were found at this inspection and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Staff demonstrated a strong learning culture, with proactive incident reporting and reflective practice. People felt safe, and safeguarding procedures were robust. Risk assessments were person-centred, and the environment was clean and well maintained. Staffing levels were appropriate, and infection control and medicines management were effective.

People received care that promoted good outcomes and quality of life. Their needs were assessed and reviewed regularly, and care was evidence-based. Staff worked collaboratively with external professionals, and people were supported to live healthier lives. Consent was now appropriately sought, and staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).

Staff treated people with kindness, dignity, and respect. Care was personalised, and people were supported to express their identity and preferences. Creative initiatives, such as themed environments and tailored activities, enhanced wellbeing. Staff were attentive and responsive to people’s immediate needs, and workforce wellbeing was prioritised.

Care was person-centred and flexible. People were involved in planning and decision-making, and staff went above and beyond to support meaningful experiences, including facilitating special events and personal milestones. Communication was inclusive, and feedback was actively sought and used to improve the service. Equity in access and outcomes was evident, and end-of-life care was compassionate and well planned.

Leadership was visible and effective. A positive culture of person-centred care and continuous improvement was embedded. Governance systems were robust, and staff felt supported and empowered to speak up. Diversity and inclusion were promoted, and partnerships with families and the community were strong. The provider demonstrated a commitment to learning and innovation.

Updated 13 August 2025

People using the service and their relatives spoke positively about their experiences at Oak Grange. People told us they felt safe living at the home, with comments such as “Yes, very” and “Definitely.” Relatives agreed with this, saying things like “Yes, absolutely” and “Yes very, the staff are exceptional.”

People said they were treated with kindness and respect. One person told us, “Very much so [staff are kind],” and another said, “Yes, very kind.” Relatives described staff as “100% caring, can’t tell you how good the staff are,” and “All kind and caring.”

People felt their privacy was respected and that staff explained things clearly before providing care. One person said, “Yes, they close the curtains when washing and changing,” and a relative noted, “Staff always knock on the door before they come in.”

There were mixed views about staffing levels. Some people felt there were not enough staff, especially at night or during mealtimes. One person said, “No, not really, and of a night time there is only one staff on,” while another commented, “You do have to wait for help.” We fed this back to the provider, however we did see they were working above the current recommended staffing levels for the home. The provider used a nationally recognised dependency tool, which the updated each morning at group handover meetings if there had been any changes.

Feedback about food was varied. People and relatives felt involved in decisions about care and knew how to raise concerns. One person said, “Yes, I would talk to the nurse on duty,” and a relative said, “Yes, I would go to the manager.”

People told us they were encouraged to do things for themselves and participate in activities. One person said, “Yes, I do everything for myself,” and another noted, “I go to some activities if you pick the right ones.” Relatives confirmed this, saying their family members were encouraged to join in and go on outings.