Oak Bank Residential Home

Updated 17 March 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 02 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 17 March 2021

This comprehensive, announced inspection took place on 29 June 2018.

Oak Bank Residential Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Oak Bank Residential Home accommodates nine people within two self-contained flats that have their own front door or in one of seven double bedrooms most with en-suites. There were seven people using the service at the time of the inspection.

The care service is aware of the values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. There were currently no plans to reduce the size of the service or amend the current registration at the service but people using the service were living as ordinary a life as any citizen, because each person’s individual needs were met flexibility and in line with their preferences and abilities.

At the last inspection in May 2017 the service was rated 'Requires Improvement' overall. You can read the report from our last inspection, by selecting the ‘All reports’ link for Oak Bank Residential Home, on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

When the service was last inspected we found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. The breach related to good governance. This breach was followed up as part of our inspection. Where we asked the provider to complete an improvement action plan following the last inspection, this was provided.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of this inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

At our previous inspection there were ineffective auditing systems in place. This meant that areas for improvement were not always identified. At this inspection we found sufficient improvements had been made. The systems and audits showed where improvement was needed and the registered manager ensured these were acted upon.

At our previous inspection we found that some medicines were left unattended which posed a risk. This inspection found some protocols were not in place for ‘as necessary’ medicines. This was immediately completed, and medicine management is now safe.

At our previous inspection, we found staff did not demonstrate a full understanding of equality and diversity needs and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) in place. At this inspection, we found staff understanding was satisfactory.

People’s rights were being upheld in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This is a legal framework to protect people who are unable to make certain decisions themselves. Where people lacked capacity, assessments and best interest decisions were in place.

People’s family members felt the service was safe. Staff understood how to identify abuse and discrimination and knew how to report concerns. Staff that had pre-employment checks in place prior to starting work in the service supported people.

There were sufficient numbers of skilled and knowledgeable staff to meet people individual needs.

Staff ensured people’s health care needs were met through appropriate contacts with health care professionals.

The premises met people’s needs. A professional said, “There is plenty of space. The environment is good for people."

Staff demonstrated a caring and respectful attitude to people. People’s family members were very happy with the service, one saying, “It’s the very best place he has lived.”

People and their family members felt able to complain should there be a need. They said a complaint would be fully investigated.

Staff felt well trained, well supported and that the service was well-led.

Further information is in the detailed findings below