Oakwood House Care Home

Updated 2 March 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 one inspector, one specialist adviser and one 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. Our specialist adviser was a nurse.

Service and service type

Oakwood House Care Home 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. Oakwood House is a care home with 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 the registered manager was no longer working at the service and the new manager had been in post since October 2022 and had submitted an application to register. We are currently assessing this application.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the new provider took over. We sought feedback from the local authority. The new provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection

We spoke with 6 residents and 6 relatives. We also spoke with the manager, deputy manager, 2 nurses, 1 nursing assistant, 4 care staff, 1 activities co-ordinator, 1 domestic staff, 1 chef and the maintenance officer. We reviewed 14 care plans and 4 medication administration records. We also reviewed other records relating to the safety and quality of the service. We received feedback from two healthcare professionals who work with the service.

Updated 2 March 2023

About the service

Oakwood House Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 50 people. Some people had been discharged from hospital for a period of rehabilitation before either moving back to their own homes or on to other care providers. There were 10 beds which were block booked by the local authority for this. At the time of our inspection there were 36 people using the service and one person in hospital. 7 of the 10 discharge to assess beds were in use. The purpose built service accommodated people with nursing needs on the ground floor, with those needing residential or rehabilitation following hospital discharge, upstairs.

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

People who used the service and relatives were happy with the service and spoke positively about their experience. One relative said, “I want my [family member] to be looked after, and they are.”

Staff were clear about safeguarding people from avoidable harm and safeguarding concerns were referred and investigated. Risks were documented and managed well, but some daily records needed to be completed more diligently. An electronic records system was being introduced to help ensure this improves. The safety of the environment, equipment and systems, such as the fire system, were well maintained and monitored. Infection control risks were well managed and the service was clean. Medicines were administered safely and there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. More activities staff were being recruited to make up a shortfall and ensure people had access to activities every day.

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’s needs were assessed before they came to live at the service and care plans reflected their needs and preferences. Some people’s discharge information from hospital was not always accurate which was a challenge for the service and actions were in place to try to improve this situation. People’s healthcare needs, including their oral healthcare, were well managed and clearly documented. People enjoyed the food and were very positive about the dining experience. There was good monitoring of people’s weights and prompt referrals where people were found to be losing weight.

The environment was suitable for the client group and there had clearly been investment in it. People enjoyed the facilities on offer including the garden.

Staff were safely recruited, well trained, supported and developed. There was a focus on further developing nursing staff’s confidence and skills. The staff were kind and caring and people told us their privacy and dignity were maintained. People were involved in decisions about their care, although some relatives commented they had not had an opportunity to review their relative’s care in recent months.

People’s care plans and risk assessments reflected their needs and preferences. People received individualised care which met these needs. The provider had a programme of activities which covered a wide range of interests. People were positive about activities and wanted more opportunities.

Complaints were managed well, and the service had effective and robust quality assurance systems in place to monitor the safety and quality of the service. There was good partnership working with other health and social care professionals.

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 the service under the previous provider was good, published on 11 August 2018.

Why we inspected

We carried out this comprehensive inspection as this was a first rated inspection of a new provider. 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, which will help inform when we next inspect.