CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Oaklands Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, medicines were managed safely, and there were enough staff to support people safely. Infection control and safeguarding arrangements were also in place.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs, consent and best interests were recorded appropriately. Staff were trained and supported, health needs were followed up, and people's dietary requirements were met, although some people said food was not always hot.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its rating was carried over from the last comprehensive inspection, but that rating is not given in this report.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused inspection. Its rating was carried over from the last comprehensive inspection, but that rating is not given in this report.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The manager and management team used audits and checks to monitor care and act on areas for improvement. People, relatives and staff said they could raise concerns and suggestions.
What inspectors found, March 2023
Oaklands Nursing Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, effective and well-led care, with improvements since the previous inspection.
This was a focused follow-up inspection on 9 and 13 February 2023. The first day was unannounced and the second was announced. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives and staff, reviewed care and medicine records, and observed care.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective and Well-led. Inspectors found that medicines, risks, infection control, staffing and safeguarding were managed safely. They also found that staff supported people's health, choices, consent and dietary needs.
The previous rating was Requires Improvement, with breaches of regulations. Inspectors found that improvements had been made and the home was no longer in breach. The overall rating changed to Good, but this inspection did not cover Caring or Responsive.
Safer risk management
Inspectors found that risks were identified, reduced and reviewed. Emergency evacuation plans were in place for individuals.
“Risks to people had been identified, mitigated and were kept under regular review.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicine records were accurate and current. Medicines, including controlled drugs, were stored safely and checked by senior staff.
“Medicine administration records (MARs) were accurate and up to date.” from the report
Supportive staff
Staff had training and supervision and told inspectors they felt supported. People were helped with eating in a kind and dignified way.
“Where people were unable to eat independently, staff assisted them in a kind, unrushed and dignified way.” from the report
Improved management
The home had introduced audits, forums and other ways for people, families and staff to give feedback. Inspectors found that action was taken when checks identified improvements were needed.
“The registered manager and management team carried out a range of checks and audits to monitor and improve the quality of the care and support people received.” from the report
Food temperature
minorTwo people said that food was not always hot. The provider said it was trying to resolve this.
“Two people said that food was not always hot.” from the report
Some waiting for help
minorSome people said they sometimes had to wait to get up or receive support because staff were busy. Relatives generally felt there were enough staff.
“Sometimes I have to wait to get up, but I understand as staff cannot support everyone at the same time.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to make sure meals are served hot every time?
- 02How do you make sure people do not wait too long when staff are helping someone else?
- 03How are the new audits and care records checked to make sure the improvements from the previous inspection continue?
- 04What were the Caring and Responsive ratings at the last comprehensive inspection?
- 05How can relatives use the residents' and relatives' forums or raise a concern directly?
This was a focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led only; Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their ratings were carried over from the last comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 March 2023 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, March 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that the home had safe infection prevention and control arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CQC carried out an unannounced targeted inspection on 22 February 2022. It looked at infection prevention and control, and asked about staffing pressures linked to COVID-19.
Inspectors were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, arranged testing, managed visitors and admissions, and had up-to-date infection control policies. They also found arrangements for people to keep in touch with family and friends.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not provide a full quality rating and does not assess all five areas of care.
Clear infection control policies
The home's COVID-19 policies were clear and kept up to date.
“The provider had developed policies and procedures to mitigate any risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. These were clear to follow and regularly updated.” from the report
PPE arrangements
Staff had access to the PPE they needed, with PPE stations placed around the home. Isolation signs helped staff use the right PPE and procedures.
“Staff had access to the personal protective equipment (PPE) they needed and there were PPE 'stations' situated at regular points around the home.” from the report
Regular testing
Routine COVID-19 testing was in place for people living in the home, staff and visitors.
“Routine COVID-19 testing was in place for people living at Oaklands Nursing Home, staff and visitors.” from the report
Family visiting
Visiting arrangements followed government guidance, and people were supported to keep in touch with family and friends.
“People were supported to keep in touch with their families and friends. Visiting arrangements were in line with current government guidance.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you managing staffing pressures linked to COVID-19, and have these affected people's care?
- 02How do you currently arrange testing for residents, staff and visitors?
- 03How would visits be managed if there was an infection outbreak?
- 04How do you make sure staff use the correct PPE when someone is isolating?
- 05When was the home's infection prevention and control policy last updated?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the service or assess the other four CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 March 2022 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 Nursing Home
5 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- March 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2021Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- May 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2018Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2015
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 April 2015.
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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84 live-in carers within about an hour of Cheshire West and Chester
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 76 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“She is an exemplary carer, she is knowledgable empathetic and very respectful in the home.”
“It was clear that she genuinely cared and her warm approach really helped put our minds at ease.”
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.