Oakcroft House is a nursing home that provides up to 40 beds for people who require nursing care. The accommodation is arranged across three floors.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service Good.

Why the service is rated Good

Staff managed risks to people safely. Where incidents had occurred, the staff took appropriate action to keep people safe. Staff understood how to identify and respond to suspected abuse. People lived in an environment in which the risk of infection spreading was appropriately managed. People’s medicines were managed safely and appropriately.

Staff treated people in a caring, considerate and respectful way. People told us that they felt staff were kind towards them. People’s choices were considered in the delivery of care. Visitors were encouraged and made to feel welcome at the service.

People were supported to prepare and eat food that they liked in line with their dietary requirements. Staff had sufficient training and supervision to carry out their roles. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People’s needs and choices were assessed and people were involved in important decisions and choices. Staff worked alongside healthcare professionals and other organisations to meet people’s needs.

There were sufficient numbers of staff to support people. People received personalised care that reflected their needs, interests and preferences. People had access to activities that reflected what was important to them. Regular reviews were undertaken and any changes to people’s needs were actioned by staff. Staff communicated any changes in care with each other. The provider had a clear and accessible complaints procedure.

The registered manager worked alongside staff and was actively involved in people’s care. Systems were in place to involve people and staff in the running of the service. The provider carried out checks on the quality of the care that people received and maintained up to date records. The provider built links with organisations and agencies to ensure that people benefitted from.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

Oakcroft House is a nursing home that provides up to 40 beds for people who require nursing care. The accommodation is arranged across three floors.

There was a registered manager in place and present on the day that we visited. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse and people said they felt safe. Staff were able to tell us how they safeguarded people from the risk of abuse. People were protected and their freedom was supported and respected as there were risk assessments for people which were detailed and informative and included measures around how to reduce the risk of harm. In the event of an emergency, such as the building being flooded or a fire, there was a service contingency plan which detailed what staff needed to do to protect people and make them safe.

There were sufficient members of staff on duty to meet people’s needs. We saw that there were enough staff to meet everyone’s needs in a timely way. People and visitors and staff felt that there were enough staff. Only suitably qualified staff were recruited. Staff told us that before they started work at the service they went through a recruitment process and had to provide evidence of their identity and background checks.

Medicines were stored and administered appropriately and audits of all medicines took place. People told us that they got their medicines on time. One person said “If I am in pain or need anything I will tell the nurse and they will sort it out for me.”

People said that staff understood their needs. One person said “The care is of a good standard, they (staff) do all they can, staff move me with a hoist and they take great care when they are doing it”

Staff were competent and skilled to undertake their role and staff were up to date with all of the service mandatory training. We observed staff to be experienced and knowledgeable.

People had access to the local GP on a weekly basis or sooner if needed and other health care professionals such as the dentist, optician and physiotherapist. One person told us “The GP comes to visit the home if we need anything.”

We saw staff sought people’s consent to ensure people were happy for them to support them. People confirmed that they were asked consent before care was provided. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. These safeguards protect the rights of people by ensuring if there are any restrictions to their freedom and liberty. There were detailed capacity assessments for people. Where there were concerns about people’s human rights being deprived due to their lack of capacity, the provider had sought advice and authorisation from the local authority. Staff we spoke with had an understanding of the MCA.

People at the service told us that they enjoyed the food. One person said “The food is very good and you always get a choice”. There was appropriate monitoring of people’s nutrition (including weighing people regularly) and input from other professionals.

People at the service told us that staff were caring. One person said “Staff are lovely, very friendly; they can’t do enough for you.” We saw from the interactions we observed that the staff team were thoughtful and caring. One member of staff said “I love working here, I love helping people.” People told us their privacy and dignity were respected and we saw evidence of this during the inspection. People were given choices about the care they received such as when they wanted to get up and what they wanted to be called.

People’s relatives told us they were free to visit their family members at any time and were able to join them for meals and other social occasions. People and relatives were involved in their plan of care. One person told us “Staff always make sure I have everything I need.”

People’s needs were assessed and care was provided based on their identified needs. Full reviews of peoples care took place regularly which included their health action plan and risk assessments. Daily records compiled by staff detailed the support people received throughout the day.

People enjoyed the activities on offer at the service. One person said “I enjoyed it (the entertainment), it was very good, everyone was singing along to the old songs.” There was a range of activities available to people which included games, musical entertainment, church services and themed days. We saw various activities taking place on the day.

People who used the service told us they would know how to make a complaint if necessary. There was a copy of the complaints policy in the information pack in each person’s room and a copy in reception. There had been no complaints at the service this year.

There was a registered manager at the service on the day of the inspection. People, visitors and staff were positive about the leadership and management of the service. One person said “I think the manager is wonderful.” One member of staff said “Managers are always visible, I feel supported, if we have any problems we are looked after well, (the manager) would jump in and help out if needed. I feel very valued.” Staff were encouraged and supported to develop their skills and to undertake additional qualifications.

There was a comprehensive system of quality assurance in place that included residents meetings and a detailed auditing system. The detail of these audits showed how staff strived for best practice at all times. People’s records were kept safe and secure.

Services that provide health and social care to people are required to inform the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of important events that happen in the service. We were informed of significant events in a timely way. This meant we could check that appropriate action had been taken.

The last inspection was on 24 October 2013 where no concerns were identified.

During our inspection we had discussions with 16 people who used the service, three relatives, four members of staff, the chef and the registered manager.

People who used the service told us that staff asked for their consent before they undertook any tasks with or for them. One person told us, “I can make decisions about myself and what I want to do during the day.” Another person told us, “Staff helped me to get dressed but they always ask me if I am ready for their help.”

People told us that they liked the food provided and they were able to choose the food they wished to eat. One person told us, “The food here is very nice, always fresh and hot.”

People told us they knew what their medicine was for and that staff would remind them if they forgot. They stated that they always received their medicines at the appropriate times. They told us that staff always treated them with respect.

People told us that they believed information about them was kept safe and secure by staff at the service.

We found the service was compliant with the five outcomes we looked at.

On the day of the site visit we spoke to nine of the thirty four people who were using the service.

All the people we spoke to told us that staff respected their privacy and dignity. One person told us, “Staff always knock on my door and wait until I answer them.” Another person told us, “Staff called me by my nickname which I really like.”

People told us that they made choices every day that included what they wanted to do, what they wanted to eat and when to get up in the morning. One person told us, “I can have my meals wherever I want, I do not have to go to the dining room if I do not want to.”

People we spoke to were complimentary about the staff and the care, treatment and support they received from staff at the service. Some of the comments from people who used the service included, “I am looked after by caring staff who know what they are doing,” and, “I do not want to know about the care plan, I am very happy living here. My relatives can look at this if they want to.”