CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Oaktree House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People told inspectors they felt safe and staff knew how to recognise and report abuse. Staffing levels were considered adequate, but two people's bed rails did not have risk assessments or a checking system.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were trained and worked with healthcare professionals. Care plans did not always explain why bed rails and listening monitors were being used.
- Caring?
- Good
- People had kind relationships with staff and each other. Staff respected people's privacy, dignity, communication needs, lifestyle choices and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and people were supported to follow their interests, see friends and family and take part in activities. Information was provided in formats suited to people's communication needs.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The management team monitored standards, used audits and involved people in decisions. An action plan was in place to improve accessible care plans.
What inspectors found, April 2019
HF Trust - Oaktree House was rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, but some equipment risk checks needed improving.
This was an unannounced, planned inspection on 9 April 2019. One inspector spoke with five people, three staff members and the registered manager. They observed staff interactions and checked care plans, training records, meeting records and one person's medicines records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People were described as happy and safe, with warm relationships with staff and each other. Staff supported people's independence, choices, health needs and activities.
Inspectors found some gaps in risk assessments and care records. Two people's beds had bed rails without risk assessments or a checking system. One healthcare risk assessment did not explain how to set an air-flow mattress correctly. The manager said these issues would be addressed.
Kind relationships
People appeared comfortable with staff and described them as kind. Inspectors saw a friendly and happy atmosphere in the home.
“People lived in a happy and caring environment and had warm and friendly relationships with the staff who supported them and with each other.” from the report
Choice and independence
Risk assessments supported people to take part in chosen activities, including going into the local community. Staff respected people's choices while considering safety.
“People's independence was promoted by using positive risk assessments.” from the report
Skilled staff
Staff had training for people's specialist needs and kept their training up to date. Inspectors found staff competent and well supported.
“People were supported by staff who had received training and guidance on how to effectively meet people's needs.” from the report
Personalised activities and communication
People were supported to follow their own interests and keep in touch with friends and family. Staff used photos, symbols, audio recordings and different care-plan formats to support communication.
“Staff used photo's, symbols and audio recordings to make sure information was accessible to everyone.” from the report
Bed-rail safety checks
seriousTwo people's beds had bed rails without risk assessments or a system to check that the equipment remained safe. Inspectors said this could place people at risk of harm.
“Two people's beds were fitted with bed rails and there were no risk assessments or checking system in place to make sure the equipment remained safe.” from the report
Incomplete healthcare risk assessment
needs fixingOne risk assessment said that a person used an air-flow mattress but did not explain the correct setting. Staff were unclear, although they sought advice during the inspection and updated the assessment.
“However, there were no instructions for how this mattress should be set to provide maximum protection to the person and staff were unclear about the correct setting.” from the report
Care records did not always explain equipment use
needs fixingCare plans did not explain why bed rails and listening monitors were being used for two people. Inspectors said this could lead to inappropriate care.
“There was no assessment of need to show the rationale for why these were being used.” from the report
- 01What action was taken after the inspection to assess and monitor the safety of the two people's bed rails?
- 02How is the correct setting of any air-flow mattress now recorded and checked?
- 03Do current care plans explain why bed rails, listening monitors or other equipment are needed?
- 04How have accessible care plans been improved to cover each person's wider needs?
- 05How are staffing levels reviewed when people's physical needs become more complex?
This was an unannounced, planned inspection covering all five CQC areas, with the premises and care provided both considered. This explanation was written from the published report of 26 April 2019 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, October 2016
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some records and staff appraisals needing improvement.
This was an unannounced inspection on 1 September 2016, followed by a return visit on 9 September to complete the inspection. It was the home's first inspection since it registered in November 2014. Inspectors spoke with six people, six staff members and two relatives, and reviewed care files, staff records, training records and other documents.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were safe, medicines were managed properly, staff were trained and caring, and care plans reflected people's preferences and needs.
There were two areas needing attention. A gap had been found in annual staff appraisals, although these had recently started again. The home also needed to formally record why people were not subject to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw warm, positive relationships. Staff supported people's dignity, choices and independence.
“Staff relationships with people were caring and supportive.” from the report
Personalised support
Care files recorded people's likes, dislikes, health needs and preferred activities. People were supported to take part in community activities and maintain relationships.
“Care was personalised and care files reflected personal preferences.” from the report
Safe medicines management
Medicines were stored securely, records were signed and regular checks were completed.
“Medicines were safely administered and certain people also self-administered with staff observing them.” from the report
Staff training and health support
Staff received a range of training and people were supported to access health professionals when needed.
“Staff received a range of training, which enabled them to feel confident in meeting people's needs and recognising changes in people's health.” from the report
Annual staff appraisals
needs fixingThere had been a gap in annual appraisals, which are used to discuss staff development. The home had recognised this and had recently restarted them.
“There had been a gap in staff receiving an annual appraisal in order to identify any future professional development opportunities.” from the report
Capacity decisions not formally recorded
needs fixingThe manager explained why people were not considered subject to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, but inspectors could not find formal records confirming these decisions.
“We were unable to see any formal documentation to confirm these decisions.” from the report
- 01Have all staff now received their annual appraisal, and how are future appraisals being monitored?
- 02How are decisions about people's mental capacity and freedom to leave the home now formally recorded?
- 03How will you make sure care plans and risk assessments remain up to date as people's needs change?
- 04How are people and their relatives involved in choosing activities, meals and care arrangements?
- 05What happens if there is an unexpected staff absence at night?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, with a return visit to complete the inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 October 2016 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Oaktree House
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 November 2014.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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17 live-in carers within about an hour of Devon
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,270 a week. 15 can care for a couple. 13 years' experience on average.
“She is such a warm and gentle person while being professional and competent at the same time.”
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Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.