CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Oldfield House Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People told inspectors they felt safe. Staffing, recruitment, medicines, fire safety and accident monitoring were found to be good overall, although some hoisting plans lacked detail and PPE practice gave only some assurance.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training and supported people with food, drink, healthcare and personal choices. The home was meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act.
- Caring?
- Good
- People and relatives spoke positively about the staff. Inspectors saw patience, compassion, respect for privacy and dignity, and support for people’s independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people’s needs, preferences and communication styles. People had activities at the home and in the community, and complaints systems were in place.
- Well-led?
- Good
- People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the management and culture. Audits, surveys and meetings were used to identify and make improvements, although an earlier survey found that some people did not always feel the manager was accessible.
What inspectors found, February 2023
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care, with some records and infection-control practice needing improvement.
This was the home’s first inspection since it registered. It was unannounced and took place on 13 and 20 December 2022. Inspectors spoke with people, a relative and staff, and checked care records, medicines, recruitment, safety and quality systems.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and spoke positively about the staff. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines management, personalised care records, good support with food and healthcare, and a range of activities.
Inspectors found some areas needing attention. Hoisting plans were not detailed enough, guidance for some medicines was not always person-centred, and inspectors were only somewhat assured that personal protective equipment was used safely and effectively. The manager said improvements would be made, and confirmed that the hoisting plans had been updated after the inspection.
Staffing and recruitment
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people’s needs and saw that recruitment checks were completed before staff started work.
“There were safe staffing levels in the home and staff were recruited safely” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff treated people as individuals and supported their dignity, privacy, choices and independence.
“People were supported in a way that respected their privacy, dignity and independence.” from the report
Personalised support
Care records included people’s needs, preferences and communication styles. Staff knew people well and adapted their support.
“Care records were person centred and gave information about what was important to and for the person.” from the report
Activities and community links
People could take part in activities in the home and local community, including trips, meals out, religious services and hobbies.
“There was a range of activities available to people within the home.” from the report
Quality monitoring
The manager and provider used audits, feedback and incident reviews to identify changes and improve the service.
“There were systems and processes in place to monitor and improve quality performance.” from the report
Hoisting plans
needs fixingSome plans for using hoisting equipment did not contain enough detail. The manager told inspectors that these plans were updated after the inspection.
“Some plans relating to the use of equipment for hoisting people were not sufficiently detailed.” from the report
As-needed medicines guidance
needs fixingGuidance for medicines prescribed to be taken when needed was not always written in a person-centred way. The manager agreed to improve it.
“There was guidance for staff about how to administer medicines that were prescribed 'as and when required', however they were not always person centred.” from the report
PPE practice
needs fixingInspectors were not fully assured that personal protective equipment was being used effectively and safely. The provider was signposted to resources to develop its approach.
“We were somewhat assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Manager accessibility
minorAn earlier survey found that some people did not always feel the manager was accessible. The home had identified this and increased the manager’s presence.
“some people who used the service did not feel that the manager was always accessible.” from the report
- 01What changes were made to the hoisting plans after the inspection, and how are staff checked on following them?
- 02How has the guidance for medicines prescribed as and when required been made more person-centred?
- 03What actions have been taken to improve the safe and effective use of PPE?
- 04How often is the manager present and available for residents and relatives?
- 05How are feedback from residents and relatives, accidents, falls and medicines issues used to make further improvements?
This was the first comprehensive inspection of the newly registered home, covering all five key questions and infection prevention and control. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 February 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, January 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about most infection controls but found mask and distancing practice needed reinforcing.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 21 December 2020. It followed concerns about social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, admissions, testing, hygiene and possible outbreaks. They also found that the infection prevention and control policy was up to date.
Some staff were not wearing masks properly while walking through corridors. Inspectors also discussed photographs showing staff too close together and not all wearing masks. They recommended that the manager reinforce infection control procedures and current government guidance.
The home was inspected but not rated. This was not a full inspection of all areas of care.
Visitor infection controls
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements to help prevent visitors catching or spreading infections.
“We were assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections.” from the report
Testing and admissions
Inspectors were assured that people were admitted safely and that testing was available for residents and staff.
“We were assured that the provider was accessing testing for people using the service and staff.” from the report
Outbreak planning
Inspectors were assured that the home had arrangements to prevent or manage infection outbreaks.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Up-to-date policy
The home's infection prevention and control policy was found to be current.
“We were assured that the provider's infection prevention and control policy was up to date.” from the report
Masks not always worn correctly
needs fixingInspectors saw some staff wearing masks incorrectly while walking along corridors. They asked for assurances that this practice would improve.
“We observed during the inspection some staff did not have their masks on properly.” from the report
- 01What changes were made after inspectors saw some staff wearing masks incorrectly?
- 02How do you check that staff wear PPE properly when walking through shared areas?
- 03How do you ensure staff follow current social distancing guidance?
- 04What are the home's current arrangements for testing residents and staff?
- 05How would the home respond if there were an infection outbreak?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures, and the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 January 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.
Every inspection of Oldfield House Residential Care Home
4 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Oldfield House Residential Care Home →
- January 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Oldfield House Residential Care Home →
- August 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2020
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 August 2020.
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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