The Oakes Care Centre

Updated 12 January 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

This inspection was carried out by 2 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 Oakes Care Centre 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 Oakes Care Centre 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 it first registered. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service, including 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 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 used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the Inspection

We spoke with 10 people who received a service and 3 relatives. We also spoke with 4 care workers, 2 senior care workers, the cook, the handy person, the registered manager, the area director and the regional director. We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 people's care records in full and other care plans for specific information, as well as medication records. We looked at the recruitment of 2 staff members as well as records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at further quality assurance records.

Updated 12 January 2023

About the service

The Oakes Care Centre accommodates a maximum of 60 people; there are accommodation and communal areas located on both the ground and first floor. The home provides care and support to people who are assessed as having personal care and support needs. The first floor provides accommodation specifically for people living with dementia. There were 46 people living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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

The management of people’s medication was not consistently safe. We have made a recommendation about the management of stock and varied strengths of medicines. Body maps to show where people’s patches for pain relief should be positioned were not in place. One person had missed medication doses which had not been identified. However, most people received their medicines as prescribed from staff who were assessed as competent.

Daily walkarounds were not consistently happening, but this was being addressed. Systems of governance were in place and found to be effective. People, relatives and staff were engaged in the running of the home and we saw the provider took action in response to their feedback.

People told us they felt safe living at this home. Staff were familiar with safeguarding procedures and felt confident managers would take appropriate action if they reported concerns. Staff were familiar with risks to people and how to reduce risk levels.

There were sufficient numbers of safely recruited staff to meet people’s needs. The registered manager asked people for feedback about staffing levels and no concerns were raised.

Adaptations had been made to the premises to make spaces dementia friendly. The home and equipment used had been well maintained.

Staff received formal support and told us they felt engaged and valued. The interactions between people and staff were seen to be positive. Activities were taking place inside and outside the home.

Clinical risks were understood and discussed at different meetings. Care plans were sufficiently detailed. Referrals had been made to healthcare professionals where this was needed. Two health professionals who visited the home on the day of our inspection provided positive feedback about staff knowledge of people and their needs.

Complaints were suitably managed by the provider who responded to concerns raised with them. We saw where lessons were learned from previous events to help ensure continuous improvement of 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 had a positive mealtime experience and their nutritional needs were being met.

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 10 June 2021.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the management of accidents and incidents, infection control standards and communication within the home. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

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.