Archived: The Oast

Updated 1 June 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 16 and 18 March 2016 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of two inspectors.

Prior to the inspection we looked at previous inspection reports and notifications about important events that had taken place at the service. A notification is information about important events which the home is required to send us by law.

We spoke with four people who lived at the home and four relatives to gain their views and their experience of the service provided. We also spoke to three care staff, the registered manager and the deputy manager. We asked three health and social care professionals who have regular contact with the home for their views of the service.

We spent time observing the care provided and the interaction between staff and people. We looked at five people’s care files and seven staff records as well as staff training records, the staff rota and team meetings. We spent time looking at records, policies and procedures, complaints and incident and accident recording systems and medicine administration records.

A previous inspection took place on 7 and 20 October 2014 when the service had met the standards of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010.

Updated 1 June 2016

The inspection was carried out on 16 and 18 March 2016 and was unannounced. The home provided personal care for up to 28 older people, some of whom were living with dementia. There were 27 people living at the service at the time of our inspection although two people were in hospital.

The home was owned by a family partnership. The property had been extended in recent years to provide additional rooms. A passenger lift was added at the same time to enable people to move between floors with ease. The accommodation provided was available over two floors with bedrooms downstairs and upstairs. Some of the rooms had en-suite toilet and washing facilities and those that did not had a washbasin in the room. There was one larger bedroom, which was used mainly for people requiring respite care. This could be when people or their family members need a short break, rather than long-term care. For example, where a family carer had planned a holiday and not able to take their loved one with them. The room could also be used as a double room, for instance if a couple wanted to stay together.

A large lounge was split into two sections, one side a quieter area to sit and relax or read a book or newspaper. The other side had a TV and patio doors leading onto a verandah/patio area and garden. The dining area had plenty of space for everyone to sit at a table to have their meals if they wished.

A registered manager was employed at the service. 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 and their relatives spoke of a home where they felt safe and would be able to say if they were worried about anything. The staff had a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and what their responsibilities were in relation to keeping people safe.

People’s medicines were managed safely by staff who were trained and competent. People who were able to manage their own medicines and wanted to do this were supported to remain independent while being assisted by staff when necessary.

People’s care needs were assessed before moving into the home to make sure the staff were able to cater for their specific requirements. People and their family members were involved in the care planning process. Care plans were person centred and comprehensive enabling staff to support people well and in the way they wanted. Individual risk assessments were carried out to ensure people were safe when everyday tasks and personal care were being undertaken. Independence was carefully protected to preserve people’s health, wellbeing and dignity.

Environmental risks were assessed and managed well to keep people, staff and visitors to the service safe. Checks and plans were in place to make sure the premises were safe including fire safety and prevention.

The registered manager and staff liaised closely with health and social care professionals. Good working relationships had been developed which supported the close monitoring of people’s health care needs.

The registered manager had safe recruitment practices in place to make sure only suitable staff were employed to support people. All relevant training was provided for the staff team, with regular refreshers to ensure their skills and knowledge were up to date. Staff had regular one to one supervision meetings to monitor their working practice and to support and plan their personal development.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care services. Restrictions imposed on people were only considered after their ability to make individual decisions had been assessed as required under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) Code of Practice. The registered manager understood when an application should be made. Decisions people made about their care or medical treatment were dealt with lawfully and fully recorded.

There were enough staff to ensure that people’s assessed support needs were fully met. This was evident by our own observations as well as feedback from people, their relatives and others. The staff team had the time to sit and chat with people. This was encouraged by the registered manager who ensured there were enough staff to enable the important contact of conversation as well as providing care and support.

The home had a friendly and relaxed atmosphere where the staff and people living there were chatting together with smiles and laughter. Staff had a caring approach, taking their time with people and allowing them the opportunity to maintain their dignity and independence as far as possible. This enabled the staff to get to know the people living in the home very well and therefore be able to care for them with an individual approach that supported their wellbeing.

An activities coordinator had a wide range of interesting activities on offer for people to take part in if they chose. These were well planned and included both group and individual activities, with staff encouraging and supporting people to take part.

The registered manager had comprehensive systems in place to monitor the good quality and safety of the service. The home was well run and people, their relatives and others we spoke to were very complimentary about the registered manager and their team.