Oak Hall Care Home

Oak Hall Care Home is a nursing home providing personal and nursing care for up to 55 older people with a range of health needs such as frailty, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. On the day of the inspection, there were 19 people living at the service.

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

People told us they felt safe living at Oak Hall and were happy with the staffing levels in the home. People's medicines were managed safely and effectively. Infection control procedures were followed, and effective in preventing the spread of infection.

Recruitment processes ensured staff were suitable and had the right values for the roles they had applied for. The provider completed appropriate checks on their previous experience and conduct. Staff received initial training and regular refreshers about safeguarding issues, and knew the correct procedures for raising concerns.

Staff supported people whilst promoting their independence. People had individual risk assessments in place and staff understood how to support them to stay safe without unnecessary restrictions. The provider ensured that staff received appropriate training, and new staff followed a process of induction which included working with more experienced staff until they felt confident in their role. The service worked positively with other health professionals to meet people's needs.

Each person had a personalised care plan which reflected their likes and dislikes, their interests, social preferences, and personalities. 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 asked about their end of life care wishes and preferences. We received very positive feedback about the end of life care provided at the home.

The registered manager was making steady and sustained improvements at the home and was clear about their responsibilities. People told us efficiency had improved, the home was more settled, and the team appeared to be working together well. The provider was open and transparent about the challenges of the past year including management and staffing changes and commented that the service had turned a corner. This was reflected by the feedback that we received from people and relatives. People we spoke to were without exception, very happy living at Oak Hall.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 16 January 2020) and we found a breach in Regulation 12 Safe care and treatment. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 6 November 2019. A breach of legal requirements was found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve safe care and treatment.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led which contain those requirements.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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

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.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor 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.

Oak Hall is a nursing care home providing personal and nursing care to people with a range of needs such as dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. The care home accommodates up to 55 people in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection, the service was supporting 23 people.

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

Risks to people were appropriately recorded but staff did not always follow the guidance given within risk assessments which left people at risk of harm. Staff were not utilising the call bell system correctly and people found that this was sometimes impacting on response times by staff. Medicine administration and recording practices were not always safe. Audits had not always identified these issues we found on the day of our inspection.

People gave us mixed feedback on the quality of the food at the service, but the dining experience itself was sociable. Care plans and activities required further personalisation in order for staff to know more about people and their likes and background. The environment was suited to meet people’s physical needs but further work was required to provide a stimulating environment for people with a cognitive impairment.

Despite staff not being up to date with mandatory training, people felt staff were well trained and competent in their roles. Staff had been safely recruited and were aware of their responsibility to safeguard people from abuse, and steps were taken to prevent the reoccurrence of accidents and incidents. Staff adhered to safe infection control practices.

People felt safe living at the service and able to raise any concerns they had. People and relatives were complimentary about staff’s kindness towards them, and often described them as friends or extended family. People told us staff treated them with dignity and respect and enabled them to be as independent as safely possible. 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.

Referrals were made to healthcare professionals where required, and staff has assessed people’s needs in line with national guidance. Staff felt communication within the service was effective. Staff and people were involved in the running of the service, and felt the manager was approachable and supportive. The manager had a clear vision of improvement within the home and was creating links with the local community to facilitate this.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 15 November 2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection as we inspect new services within 12 months of registering with CQC.

Follow up

We have identified a breach in relation to Regulation 12 of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and have also made recommendations to the provider. We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.