Oakleigh

Updated 3 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 17 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 3 February 2022

This inspection took place on 23 February 2018 and was unannounced.

Oakleigh is a ‘care home’ providing residential care for older people with dementia. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Oakleigh accommodates up to 50 people set over three floors, and is divided into five units; each unit accommodates approximately 10 people. There were 48 people using the service at the time of our inspection.

At the last inspection on 29 November 2016 we found breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. We found people were not always protected from unsafe care or treatment, the provider had not always safeguarded people by taking the appropriate action and notifying relevant bodies such as the local safeguarding team without delay. People were also not supported to be involved in meaningful activities to meet their individual needs and the provider did not regularly assess and monitor the quality of service provided to people. Following that inspection the provider sent us an action plan showing how they planned to make improvements. At this inspection we found improvements had been made.

The service did not have a registered manager in post. The previous registered manager left the service in January 2017. However, the provider had appointed a new manager to run the home. The new manager’s application to the CQC to become the registered manager was being processed. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The service sought the views of people who used the services, their relatives, and staff to improve the service. Staff felt supported by the manager. The provider had effective systems and processes to assess and monitor the quality of the care people received which helped drive service improvements. The service worked effectively with health and social care professionals, and commissioners.

Staff knew how to keep people safe. The service had clear procedures to support staff to recognise and respond to abuse. The manager and staff completed safeguarding training. Staff completed risk assessments for every person who used the service and they were up to date with detailed guidance for staff to reduce risks.

The service had an effective system to manage accidents and incidents, and to prevent them happening again. The provider recognised people’s need for stimulation and social interaction. People had end-of-life care plans in place to ensure their preferences at the end of their lives were met. Staff completed daily care records to show what support and care they provided to each person.

The service carried out comprehensive background checks of staff before they started working and there were enough staff to provide support to people. Medicines were managed appropriately and people were receiving their medicines as prescribed. Staff received medicines management training and their competency was checked. All medicines were stored safely. The service had arrangements to deal with emergencies and staff were aware of the provider’s infection control procedures and they maintained the premises safely.

The provider trained staff to support people and meet their needs. People and their relatives told us that staff were knowledgeable about their roles and that they were satisfied with the way staff looked after them. The provider supported staff through regular supervision and yearly appraisal.

The manager and staff understood their roles and responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). 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 support this practice. People consented to their care before they were delivered.

Staff assessed people’s nutritional needs and supported them to maintain a balanced diet. Staff supported people to access the healthcare services they required, and monitored their healthcare appointments. The manager and staff liaised with external health and social care professionals to meet people’s needs.

People or their relatives, where appropriate, were involved in the assessment, planning and review of their care. Staff considered people’s choices, health and social care needs, and their general wellbeing.

Staff supported people in a way which was kind, caring, and respectful. Staff protected people’s privacy and dignity.

The service had a clear policy and procedure about managing complaints. People knew how to complain and told us they would do so if necessary.