This comprehensive inspection took place on 13 September 2016 and was unannounced. We last inspected the home on 24 October 2014 following concerns that had been alerted to CQC. At that inspection we did not find any evidence to substantiate the concerns that had been raised. We found the service to be compliant with the standards we looked at Oxford House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for a maximum of 24 older people. The accommodation is provided over two floors with a passenger lift to both floors. There are 24 single rooms with en suite facilities. There are several communal areas including lounges and a separate dining room. There are enclosed garden areas and car parking.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the (CQC) 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.
When employing fit and proper persons the recruitment procedures of the home were not always followed. We made a recommendation that the provider follows their own policy and procedures when employing people to ensure that all the checks of suitability made were robust.
Medicines were being administered and recorded appropriately and were being kept safely.
There were sufficient numbers of suitable staff to meet people’s needs and to provide their care and treatment safely.
Where safeguarding concerns or incidents had occurred these had been reported by the registered manager to the appropriate authorities and we could see records of the actions that had been taken by the home to protect people.
People’s rights were protected. The registered manager was knowledgeable about their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were only deprived of their liberty if this had been authorised by the appropriate body or where applications had been made to.
Staff had completed a variety of training that enabled them to improve their knowledge in order to deliver care and treatment safely.
People were supported to maintain good health and appropriate referrals to other healthcare professionals had been made.
There was a clear management structure in place and staff were happy with the level of support they received.
People living in the home were supported to access activities that were made available to them and pastimes of their choice.
Auditing and quality monitoring systems were in place that allowed the service to demonstrate effectively the safety and quality of the home.