Oakmount House

Updated 9 December 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 1 inspector and an inspection manager.

Service and service type

Oakmount House 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. Oakmount House is a care home without 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 there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make.

We also used information gathered as part of monitoring activity that took place on 10 August 2022 to help plan the inspection and inform our judgements.

During the inspection

We spoke with 3 people who used the service, reviewed the feedback from relatives received in August 2022 as part of the monitoring activity. We spoke with 5 staff members. These included 1 senior, 3 care staff, and the registered manager. We spoke to the provider after the visit.

We looked at 2 people’s care records, associated documents, medicines records and medicines related documentation. We also looked at Two staff files, training and supervision records. As well as records relating to the operation and management of the service. We undertook a tour of the building, observed medicines administration and their storage, and completed observations in the communal areas.

Updated 9 December 2022

About the service

Oakmount House is a residential home providing personal care to up to 10 people within an adapted property on the outskirts of Burnley town centre. The service provides support to people with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 10 people using the service.

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

People felt safe in the service. Staff were able to recognise and report concerns. Systems were in place to monitor and manage risks. Environmental checks were completed, and individual risk assessments were in place and reviewed. Staff were recruited safely and there was enough staff to meet people’s needs. Medicines systems were managed safely. Infection control measures were in place. People were supported to have visitors to the service.

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 being assessed and they had choices around their care. Staff were given training and ongoing development. An induction programme was in place and regular supervision and appraisals were being completed. People were supported to make healthy choices on their meals and their nutritional needs were met. Referrals to health agencies were being completed. The property had adaptions to meet people’s needs.

People were treated with dignity and respect. People had a positive experience of the home and staff. People were involved in decisions around their care and their views were considered when making decisions on new admissions or appointment of staff within the home.

People had personalised care. Activities were being offered at the service in line with people’s wishes and views. Processes and systems were in place to respond to complaints.

A positive and empowering culture existed in the home. Values were incorporated that had been made in partnership with people and staff. The registered manager was described as approachable and understood duty of candour responsibilities. Governance polices, systems and processes were in place and were being used to maintain oversight of the service. People and staff were involved in decisions about the service and their views were being sought.

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 good (published 7 March 2018).

At our last inspection we recommended that the provider updates medicine management policies and procedures in line with NICE guidance. At this inspection we found the provider had acted on this recommendation and included key areas of medicine management that were not previously documented.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Oakmount House 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.