Working at The Oaks

However, at the assessment we saw staff were not always following the manufacturer's instruction in relation to the application and management of skin patches, putting people at risk of avoidable harm... Records showed staff were not always following manufacture instructions when applying skin patches by ensuring they were rotated when being replaced on people.

Staff told us the registered manager was approachable and listened to them. One staff member commented, “I like working at this service. The registered manager is always happy to listen to staff.” Another staff member told us, “The new registered manager has made a big difference, she given us what we need to do our job properly.”

We saw there were enough skilled and experienced staff deployed throughout the service to ensure people's health and personal care needs were promptly met when required. However, some relatives did not think there were always enough staff to meet peoples needs timely, with 1 relative telling us they would help out with the care of their loved one sometimes.

We saw the provider's training matrix. This confirmed that staff had completed training the provider considered mandatory. This included training in areas such as food hygiene, oral health awareness, infection control, dementia awareness, moving and handling, fire safety, Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Nursing staff had completed training on basic life support, epilepsy, wound care, medicines management and mental health.

People using the service told us the service was well run. One person said, “I think it is very well run, the manager is always accessible and all trundles along nicely.” A relative told us, “I think it is very good, the manager is nice and approachable, and everything runs on oiled wheels.”