Nunthorpe Oaks Residential Care Home

Updated 31 August 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Nunthorpe Oaks Residential Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Nunthorpe Oaks residential Care Home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with CQC to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service and sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people and seven relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, regional manager, deputy manager, team leaders, care assistants, and the head chef. We also spoke with five professionals who worked with the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 31 August 2022

About the service

Nunthorpe Oaks Residential Care Home is residential care home providing personal care for up to 56 people. The service provides support to older people and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 49 people using the service.

Support was provided to people in one purpose-built building across three floors. There are several communal areas and there is a large garden for people to use.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People's medicines were managed safely and there were enough staff available to meet people's needs. People told us they felt safe. The staff team were consistent and had a good understanding of how to care for people who lived at the service.

Staff received regular training, supervision and appraisal. 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 worked effectively with external professionals to ensure people received the support they wanted and needed. People told us staff were kind and caring. Relatives were positive about the care and support provided.

The home had been recently decorated and had a homely feel. However, the decoration and décor was not always dementia friendly. We have made a recommendation about this.

Care plans were regularly reviewed, and staff could access relevant information to ensure they continued to provide the support people needed. People were supported and encouraged to undertake activities and maintain social relationships to promote their wellbeing. There were a wide range of activities to part take in.

The registered manager was well respected by staff. Staff felt well informed and supported to undertake their roles. Systems were in place to monitor and improve standards at the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The provider of this service changed on 20 July 2020. The service was rated requires improvement under the previous provider and breaches of regulations were identified (report published 21 November 2019). We returned to the service on 21 September 2020 to review the key questions of safe, effective and well-led only. We found the provider was no longer in breach of regulations. However, following that inspection, the service was still rated requires improvement (report published 9 November 2020).

This is the first full inspection of the service under the new provider.

At our last inspection we recommended that procedures for managing creams and lotions were reviewed. At this inspection we found the provider had acted on these recommendations and improvements had been made.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection to assess the standard of care delivered by staff and award a rating under the new 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.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.