Alexandra - Oldham

Updated 25 March 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 10 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 25 March 2021

About the service

The Alexandra – Oldham is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 35 people. At the time of our inspection there were 27 people living at the home.

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

People told us, and we observed staff were kind and caring. People’s privacy and dignity were respected. People were supported to be as independent as possible.

There were systems in place to ensure only staff who were suitable to work with vulnerable people were recruited. Staff received the training, support and supervision they needed to carry out their roles effectively. Some staff had not completed first aid training. This has now been arranged. Nurses received clinical supervision and were competent at nursing procedures, such as wound care and catheterisation.

We received mixed views about staffing levels. However, we did not find any evidence during our inspection that there were not enough staff to provide the appropriate level of support to people.

The home was clean and generally well-maintained, although some parts of the corridors would benefit from being redecorated. There was an on-going redecoration programme. All servicing of equipment had been completed. Correct infection control practices were followed.

Medicines were managed and administered safely. However, the temperature of the medicines room was occasionally higher than recommended for the safe storage of medicines. The registered manager is currently seeking ways to reduce the room temperature.

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.

There were some opportunities for people to take part in activities to occupy their time and provide enjoyment and stimulation.

Risks to people’s health and safety had been assessed. People’s healthcare needs were being met. The home had referred people promptly to healthcare professionals when any issues or concerns had been noted, such as unplanned weight loss. Equipment was in place to support people to stay well, such as pressure relieving mattresses and cushions, for people at risk of skin breakdown.

People had person-centred care plans in place and staff were knowledgeable about people’s needs. The service provided end of life care. People’s end of life wishes were respected and staff supported the whole family during this difficult time.

People and staff were complimentary about the way the home was managed. Audits were in place to monitor the quality of the service and the environment.

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 this service was good (report published 1 June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.