About the service Red Oaks Care Community is a care home registered to provide personal and nursing care, including to those living with dementia. The service can support up to 40 people, at the time of our inspection 26 people were living at the home all receiving personal care, no one was in receipt of nursing care. Red Oaks Care Community is purpose built and split over two floors with communal areas on each floor and outdoor communal space to the rear.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider's quality assurance systems were not always effective in identifying failings or driving improvements. Policies and procedures had not always been followed. Some policies were not specific to the service and included tasks the provider and staff did not perform.
The risks associated with infections spreading were not always managed and guidelines on person protective equipment were not always followed.
Medicines were not always managed safely, and people did not always receive their prescribed medicines on time. Risks associated with people's healthcare needs had not always been assessed and risk reduction measures were either not in place or not followed.
Safeguarding systems and processes were in place and people were protected from the risk of abuse and neglect.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff competently supported people to make decisions about their preferences for end of life care. The service made sure that facilities and support were available for people’s family, friends and other carers, and for staff, before and after a person dies.
People and relatives told us they were happy with the care provided and felt well supported by appropriately trained and caring staff.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for the service under the previous provider was requires improvement (published on 17 December 2020). The service remains rated requires improvement under the new provider.
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 21 April 2021 and this is the first inspection under this provider.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
Enforcement
We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.
We have identified breaches in governance and leadership at this inspection.
Full information about CQC’s regulatory response to the more serious concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.
Follow up
We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.