Background to this inspection
Updated
1 February 2022
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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 14 January and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.
Updated
1 February 2022
About the service
Oak Trees is a care home providing personal and nursing care to 26 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 40 people.
The service accommodates people in one adapted building, which has an extension to the rear of the property. There are two floors and people can access the first floor by use of a lift or stairs.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Staff knew about people’s individual care needs and people said they received good support. However, care plans were not always up to date, person-centred and detailed. We have made a recommendation in the report about this.
People’s medicines were administered safely, and people said these were given on time and when needed. However, recording in the medicine administration charts and topical medicine charts was inconsistent. We have made a recommendation in the report about this.
People told us they felt safe and well supported. The provider followed robust recruitment checks, and sufficient staff were employed to ensure people’s needs were met.
Staff followed good infection protection and control standards and people said the service was clean and smelt fresh.
Communication was effective. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People ate nutritious, well cooked food, and said they enjoyed their meals. Their health needs were identified, and staff worked with other professionals, to ensure these needs were met.
People participated in a wide range of activities within the service and in the community, they also enjoyed the company of others in the service.
People were able to see their families as they wanted. There were no restrictions on when people could visit the service. People were involved in all aspects of their care and were always asked for their consent before staff undertook support tasks.
People and relatives said the service was well-led and they were satisfied with their communication with the registered manager. Complaints were responded to thoroughly and the culture of the service was open and friendly.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published March 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. 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.