The five key questions we ask and what we found

Are services safe?

We did not inspect the safe domain in full at this inspection. We inspected only those aspects mentioned in the Requirement Notices issued in September 2017.

At this focused inspection, we found that the systems for monitoring storage temperatures of medicines were not always effective in ensuring their suitability for use, and systems for checking emergency bags were not fully effective.

Are services effective?

We did not inspect the effective domain in full at this inspection. We inspected only those aspects mentioned in the Requirement Notices issued in September 2017.

At this focused inspection, we found that most patients with long-term conditions and those requiring wound care did not have personalised care plans in place. This meant that information needed to help staff plan and deliver care and treatment was not readily available. There was no clear system to monitor patients with long-term conditions to ensure the care and treatment they received met their needs.

Are services caring?

We did not inspect the caring domain at this inspection.

Are services responsive?

We did not inspect the responsive domain in full at this inspection. We inspected only those aspects mentioned in the Requirement Notices issued in September 2017.

At this focused inspection, we found that access to GP services was sufficient, and healthcare staff dealt with applications for treatment promptly. While outstanding tasks (prompts for staff to take action regarding a patient) for the GP had reduced, the overall number of unactioned tasks had increased significantly and there was no effective process in place to manage this.

Are services well-led?

We did not inspect the well-led domain in full at this inspection. We inspected only those aspects mentioned in the Requirement Notices issued in September 2017.

At this focused inspection we found that some systems did not effectively assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service. We saw evidence of the provider using audits feedback to improve service delivery.

Key findings

Our key findings were as follows:

• Systems for monitoring storage temperatures of medicines were not fully effective.

• Systems for checking items stored in emergency bags were not fully effective.
• Oversight and management of patients with long-term conditions required improvement, including improved care planning.
• Oversight and management of unactioned tasks on the SystmOne electronic clinical recording system required improvement.
• Access to GP services was sufficient.
• Oversight and management of healthcare applications had improved.
• The provider had started to use audits to improve service delivery.

Action the service MUST take to improve:

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust must ensure that governance systems and processes assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of services.