The Care Quality Commission
  • esb.inspection_category.s3

Archived: Helen House

37 Leopold Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1QT (01865) 794749

Provided and run by:
Helen & Douglas House

All Inspections

23 July 2013

During a routine inspection

This was a planned inspection that we bought forward. We did this in response to some information we had received. Although this information did not directly relate to this service, we wanted to ensure that the service remained compliant, and we have confirmed it is. During this visit we spoke with three people who used the service, one relative and five members of staff.

Children and young people using the service and their relatives told us they had a very positive experience, they told us "staff are amazing" and "it's like home from home here".

Children and young people were supported to make choices and preferences about their care and treatment. A young person told us "I choose when to stay so that I can meet my friends here".

Children and young people were treated with care and respect and received care in a way they preferred. One young person told us "they used to ask my parents but now they ask me what I like".

Children and young people were protected and care was delivered safely. One young person told us they felt ''safe'' when staying at the hospice. A relative told us 'I know my children are safe here'.

People were cared for, or supported by suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. A relative told us 'the staff here are amazing, all of them'.

Children, young people and relatives knew how to complain if they had a concern. One young person told us 'if I wanted to complain I would go to my main carer but I don't have any complaints'.

4 January 2013

During a routine inspection

Through observation, reading of care notes and talking to young people, their parents and staff, we found arrangements were in place to regularly assess and review people's care and treatment. We also found that people and their parents/guardian, where appropriate, understood and were involved in care and treatment choices. One parent told us "Every time you come here you have a detailed care plan meeting and a review of medicine". Another said "We feel very confident at leaving [person's name] here and we have a good relationship with the staff".

Documentary evidence and our discussions with parents and staff showed there was good cooperation with other services. The Nurse Consultant advised "We always work in partnership... I am a great believer in engaging with the community nursing teams and they are always kept in the loop". The palliative care lead in a community nursing team confirmed this "I have a close relationship with their nurse consultant and the key workers, we have good team working and integrated working".

We observed the safe management of medicines which was corroborated by documentary evidence. All six staff we spoke to were very positive about working at Helen House and felt they were properly supported and trained to do their jobs well. However, the provider may wish to note that although there was evidence of diversity training and support available, there were very few other diversity training activities scheduled for staff.