The Uplands at Oxon

Updated 23 November 2022

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 three inspectors 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

The Uplands at Oxon 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. The Uplands at Oxon 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

The 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. 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 and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 14 people who lived at the home and four relatives. We spoke with 14 members of staff which included the registered manager, operations manager, registered nurses, care staff, human resources manager, receptionist and activity staff. We looked at eight care plans and medication administration records on each unit. We looked at staff training records, three staff recruitment files and records relating to health and safety and the management of the home.

Updated 23 November 2022

About the service

The Uplands at Oxon is a care home providing nursing care to a maximum of 81 people. At the time of the inspection, 75 people were using the service. Accommodation is provided in one purpose-built building consisting of four units over two floors.

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

People felt safe living at the home and with the staff who supported them. The provider’s staff recruitment procedures helped to protect people from harm. Staff had been trained and knew how and when to report any concerns about people’s well-being. Risks to people were assessed and there were plans in place to mitigate risks. People received their medicines when they needed them from staff who were trained and competent. The provider followed best practice in relation to infection control and prevention and management of risks relating to COVID-19.

People were assessed to ensure their needs and aspirations could be met. People were provided with enough food and drink to meet their needs and preferences. People were positive about the quality and quantity of the food they received. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the provider's policies and procedures supported this practice. People lived in a home which was well-maintained and adapted to meet their needs. People saw healthcare professionals when they needed. People were supported by staff who were trained and competent to carry out their role.

People told us they were supported by kind and caring staff who respected their wishes and treated them with respect. People were supported to live their lives as they chose and were regularly consulted about the care they received. People’s privacy was respected, and they could spend time alone in their bedroom when they wanted. People were supported to be as independent as they could be.

People told us staff knew them well and what was important to them. People were supported to maintain contact with those who were important to them and were provided with opportunities for social stimulation. People’s communication needs were assessed and responded to. People did not raise any concerns about the care they received but felt confident action would be taken to address any concerns they may have. There were systems in place to ensure people’s needs and preferences would be understood and met during their final days.

Staff morale was good and staff told us they felt well supported. Staff received the supervision and support needed to carry out their role effectively. The views of people were sought and valued. Systems to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided had improved. The provider worked in partnership with other professionals to ensure good outcomes for people. The provider was aware of legal requirements and of their responsibility to be open and honest when things go wrong.

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 23 July 2020) and there were breaches of regulation. 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

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last 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.

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for The Uplands at Oxon 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.