Background to this inspection
Updated
21 April 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 one inspector.
Service and service type
Oak Tree 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. Oak Tree 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.
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
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 and professionals who work with the service.
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 used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, senior care workers and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at staffing rotas.
Updated
21 April 2022
About the service
Oak Tree House is a residential care home that was providing care for 17 people at the time of inspection, some of whom were living with dementia. The service can support up to 20 people, including older people and younger adults. The care home accommodates people in one adapted building over two floors.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led care.
People told us they were happy with the service they received and felt staff had a clear understanding of their needs and preferences. They told us staff listened to them and knew them well and were responsive to their needs and wishes. People's dignity and privacy were respected.
There were enough staff. Safe recruitment processes had been followed. Staff were trained and their skills and knowledge checked through competency assessments.
People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff had completed training in how to safeguard people and risk assessments were completed to identify potential hazards. People received their medicine as prescribed.
People and their relatives were involved in the service. Care was planned around people's choices and preferred routines. People and their relatives were supported to receive information in an accessible way to enable them to be involved in their care and support.
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 enjoyed the food provided and were supported to make sure they had enough to eat and drink.
There was an effective quality monitoring system which ensured checks and audits were carried out, people's views were obtained and listened to and shortfalls were addressed. Accidents and incidents were analysed so that lessons could be learned. The provider had oversight of the service and completed regular checks.
The culture of the service was open, and people felt able to raise concerns.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
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 inspection was prompted in part due to the length of time since the last inspection. A new provider had also taken over the service since the last inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.