Oak Priory, an extra care service supporting 48 people in Stoke-on-Trent, was rated Good across all five key questions at this first inspection. Minor concerns about visit consistency and a previous medicines error were being actively addressed through recruitment, communication memos and staff retraining.
Concerns (4)
minor
Staffing levels
: “We received mixed reviews about whether there were sufficient staff to ensure people had regular staff who visited them at the times they had agreed.”
minorMissed or late visits: “the registered manager had sent a memo out to all staff to remind them to contact people where they would be over 30 minutes early or late for a visit.”
minorMedication management: “following a medicines error, staff were involved in retraining and further competency checks.”
minorEnd-of-life care: “We discussed the importance of forward planning in end of life care with the registered manager who told us they planned to speak with people during the reviews of their care”
Strengths
· People felt safe and were supported by safely recruited and trained staff
· Safeguarding concerns were reported to the local team and investigated in full
· Personalised care plans reflecting needs, wishes and protected characteristics
· Effective infection prevention and control practices including PPE and hygiene
· Staff received induction, Care Certificate training and shadowing shifts
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management; Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies; supporting people to access healthcareGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidance (MCA)Good
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and controlGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Promoting a positive, person-centred, open and empowering cultureGood
well-led: Duty of candourGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about roles, quality, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people, public and staff; continuous learningGood