Okeover Ward is a 24 bedded facility within St Oswald’s Hospital. This inpatient service provides general rehabilitation, end of life care and post-operative rehabilitation for adults following discharge from acute hospitals or from home.

Systems were in place to keep patients safe. Staff were confident about reporting serious incidents and poor practice. Safeguarding procedures were in place and staff received an appropriate level of training. Learning took place as a result of serious incidents, and staff described changed that had come about following a serious incident relating to maladministration of insulin. However, we saw that patient records were not all accurate in recording that people had received their medication as prescribed.

Patients and their relatives were positive about the care and treatment they had received. Patients told us, “I’m very happy with staff, they don’t rush us” and, “Care is excellent.” Patients and their families were involved in making decisions about their care and the support needed. Patients were assessed on admission and risks identified and managed appropriately. Staff completed two hourly safety rounds and used a range of equipment to reduce the risk of harm to patients. Staff were passionate about providing good quality care to patients.

Although care delivery was predominantly nurse led, we saw effective collaboration and communication amongst all members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to support the planning and delivery of patient centred care. The care on Okeover Ward was responsive to patients’ needs. We found the organisation actively sought the views of patients and families. People from all communities could access services and effective multi-disciplinary team working ensured people were provided with care that met their needs, at the right time.

Staff were aware of the Trust’s vision, the ‘DCHS Way’. The Trust Board members were visible and the Chief Executive communicated weekly via email with all staff. The majority of staff we spoke with felt well supported at a local level within the ward and the hospital. Staff felt they could raise any concerns locally and were confident they would be listened to.