CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Oaktrees
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about most infection prevention measures, including PPE, cleaning, social distancing, visitor controls and safe admissions. They were only somewhat assured about testing because some staff were tested after entering the building.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control, but some COVID-19 tests happened after staff entered the home.
This was a targeted, announced inspection on 26 February 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic. The home was caring for six people.
Inspectors were assured about visitor arrangements, social distancing, safe admissions, PPE, cleaning, outbreak planning and the infection control policy. The home had changed communal areas and increased cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
Inspectors were only somewhat assured about testing. All staff completed COVID-19 tests, but some tests happened after staff had entered the building. The overall service and Safe question were inspected but not rated.
Visitor infection controls
The home scheduled visits, limited where visitors could go and escorted them. Inspectors were assured that visitors were prevented from catching and spreading infections.
“Staff made sure that people were protected against the transmission of infection from visitors by scheduling visits, limiting areas that visitors could access and being available to escort visitors.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and had increased cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. Communal areas had also been adapted to support social distancing.
“The home was clean and staff had increased cleaning of frequently touched surfaces to reduce the risk of transmission of infection.” from the report
PPE and safety measures
Staff had enough masks, gloves and aprons, and supported people to understand why PPE was needed.
“Staff had enough personal protective equipment, such as masks, gloves and aprons, and had supported people so that they also understood the need for this.” from the report
Support during the pandemic
The provider supported staff and the manager, including when extra staff were needed. It also completed additional risk assessments for staff at increased risk of catching COVID-19.
“The provider made sure staff and the manager received enough support during the pandemic and when additional staff were needed.” from the report
Timing of COVID-19 testing
needs fixingSome staff tests took place after they had entered the building. Inspectors discussed changing this with the registered manager to reduce risks to people living at the home.
“Although all staff completed testing for COVID-19, some of these were carried out after they had entered the building.” from the report
- 01Are staff now tested for COVID-19 before they enter the building?
- 02How are visits scheduled, and are visitors still escorted and limited to agreed areas?
- 03How often are frequently touched surfaces cleaned?
- 04How does the home support people to understand and use PPE?
- 05How are risks assessed for staff who may be at increased risk of catching COVID-19?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, recorded under Safe; the service was inspected but not rated and the other four questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 April 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 2020
Oaktrees was rated Good in all areas; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with end-of-life planning still developing.
This was a planned inspection on 09 December 2019. One inspector reviewed information held by CQC, spoke with two people and four staff, and checked care, medicines and management records.
The home supported six adults with learning disabilities. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines practice, personalised care plans, good support with health needs and meals, and respectful care that promoted choice and independence.
The home was clean and well managed. People were supported to take part in activities and maintain relationships. All five areas were rated Good, the same as at the previous inspection published on 9 June 2017.
Enough skilled staff
Inspectors found enough staff to support people safely and meet their needs. Staff said staffing levels allowed them to spend time with people.
“There were enough staff on duty to support people safely and we saw that they had the skills to meet people's needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People said staff were kind and caring. Staff respected privacy, dignity and confidentiality, while encouraging independence.
“People said that staff were kind and caring and they commented positively about staff members.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans gave staff detailed guidance about people's needs, preferences and mental health. Staff knew people well and reviewed plans regularly.
“People had care plans in place, which were personalised and written in detail.” from the report
Activities and community links
People were supported to take part in activities throughout the week, including swimming, trips and community activities.
“Staff members supported people to take part in activities each day and included such things as swimming.” from the report
Learning from incidents
The manager recorded incidents and took action to reduce the chance of them happening again. Staff also responded to one person's distress in a way that reduced the need for medicine.
“Incidents or accidents involving people using the service or staff were managed effectively, although there were very few of these.” from the report
End-of-life information was not always available
minorStaff had begun discussing end-of-life wishes with people and relatives, but the report says this information was sometimes unavailable. No one was receiving end-of-life care during the inspection.
“Staff had started to speak with people and relatives about end of life wishes, although no-one was receiving end of life care at the time of our visit.” from the report
- 01How will you record and review my relative's end-of-life wishes?
- 02How would you adapt support if my relative's mental or physical health changed?
- 03Which activities and community opportunities would be available for my relative each week?
- 04How would you support my relative's communication needs and help them make choices?
- 05How are relatives involved in care plan reviews and feedback about the home?
This was a planned inspection covering all five CQC key questions, as well as the premises and care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 January 2020 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 Oaktrees
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 November 2010.
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 Cambridgeshire
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 £1,200 a week. 14 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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.