CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Oaklands Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Oaklands Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection prevention and safe visiting arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 19 March 2021. It focused on infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspectors found systems for safe visiting, including a separate visiting room and video calls. Relatives were given regular updates, and activities were provided to reduce social isolation.
Inspectors were assured that the home used protective equipment safely, kept the premises clean, carried out COVID-19 testing and had suitable infection control policies. The home was inspected but not rated, so this report does not provide an overall quality rating.
Safe family visits
The home had systems to support visits while reducing infection risks. It also provided a separate visiting room and video calls for relatives who could not visit.
“The home had robust systems in place to support relatives to visit their family members, minimising the risk of infection.” from the report
Good infection control
Staff were observed using PPE properly, and the premises were clean and hygienic.
“We observed staff wearing PPE appropriately. The premises were clean and hygienic.” from the report
Testing and risk assessments
COVID-19 testing was carried out for people living in the home and staff. Risk assessments considered people who might be particularly affected by COVID-19.
“Tests for COVID-19 were being carried out in line with guidance.” from the report
Reducing isolation
The home added activities to support people's wellbeing and reduce social isolation during the pandemic.
“They had put in place additional activities to ensure peoples well-being.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are safe visits arranged now, and is the separate visiting room still available?
- 02How are people and staff tested for COVID-19, and what happens if a test is positive?
- 03How do you check that staff use and dispose of PPE correctly?
- 04What activities are available now to prevent people becoming socially isolated?
- 05Can you provide the latest full inspection rating and explain what it covers?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 31 March 2021 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, January 2019
Oaklands Care Home is rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care, with some concerns about staffing at busy times and refurbishment.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 11 December 2018. Inspectors observed care, spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and health professionals, and checked care records, medicines, staff files and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were protected from abuse, medicines were managed properly, staff understood people's needs and care was generally kind and personalised.
The home was being refurbished during the inspection. Cleanliness was good and disruption was limited, although inspectors noticed stale smells in one or two areas and some first-floor bedrooms were not finished to the same standard as others.
The home had also remained Good at the previous inspection in December 2016. Inspectors found that complaints were handled promptly, people had activities and choices, and the management team used feedback and audits to make improvements.
Kind and personal care
Staff were seen treating people warmly and respectfully. They knew people's likes, dislikes and personal histories.
“During this observation we saw that the staff were warm, friendly and engaging in their interaction with people.” from the report
Medicines and risk management
Medicines were stored, given and recorded correctly. Risks such as falls were assessed, with equipment and professional advice used where needed.
“The storage, administration and recording of people's medicine were well managed.” from the report
Good support with health and nutrition
Staff supported people's diets, monitored weights and food and drink, and involved health professionals when needed.
“People told us they received good healthcare and that other professionals were involved when needed.” from the report
Activities and choice
People could join group or one-to-one activities, go on outings and choose not to take part. Their communication needs were included in care planning.
“Although people were encouraged to join in the activities that were on offer, if they chose not to their choices were respected.” from the report
Listening and improvement
The management team sought views from people, relatives and staff. Regular audits and meetings were used to identify and act on improvements.
“The provider continued to ensure that effective systems were in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service.” from the report
Staffing at busy times
needs fixingTwo relatives felt there were not enough staff in the early morning and late evening. The manager was reviewing staffing and had trialled an extra breakfast-time worker.
“Although, two relatives felt there was a need for more staff, especially in the early morning and late evenings, to provide care to people.” from the report
Refurbishment not fully finished
minorThe home was undergoing building and decoration work. Inspectors found stale smells in one or two areas and some first-floor bedrooms were less well decorated than others.
“there were one or two areas where there were stale smells” from the report
One person's care after hospital
needs fixingOne relative raised concerns about the care of a family member who had just returned from hospital. The manager was liaising with health professionals and updating the person's assessments and care plan.
“However, one relative raised some concerns about the care that was being provided to their family member at the time of the inspection” from the report
- 01How many staff are usually on duty in the early morning and late evening, and how do you respond if people's needs increase?
- 02What refurbishment work is still outstanding, including the first-floor bedrooms and replacement furniture or floor coverings?
- 03What action has been taken to prevent stale smells in the areas identified by inspectors?
- 04How are care plans and risk assessments updated when someone returns from hospital?
- 05How will you make sure activities and one-to-one support are offered to people who prefer to stay in their rooms?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, with additional detailed review of oral health support as part of a national review. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 January 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.
Every inspection of Oaklands Care Home
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 October 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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