In an incredible turnaround, Oak Manor Nursing Home in Dereham in Norfolk has improved strongly from ‘Inadequate’ to ‘Good’ as assessed by the care sector regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It is almost unheard of for a home to move up two assessment levels in one go, in this instance missing out the Requires Improvement stage. A fantastic result for an equally fantastic staff team!
In the recent unannounced and thorough inspection by the CQC, where they inspect in five categories (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led), the inadequate rating from 2019 was smashed as the home’s rating glowed with positivity to achieve a ‘Good’.
Inspectors interviewed many members of staff, including the Home Manager, the deputy manager, clinical lead, and carers, and also spoke to eleven family members of residents at the home. They reviewed care and administration records for residents and staff, as well as policies and procedures relating to the safety and quality of the service.
Families spoke positively about the staff and felt that “their loved ones were safe and well supported” and one staff member told the inspectors that “people (residents) are like family” to them. The inspectors also noted that residents had been consulted on the refurbishment of Oak Manor both inside and in the gardens, to ensure their opinions and preferences had been captured. They also observed “Staff were supporting people in a meaningful, kind-hearted way during the inspection”, and highlighted the passion of staff towards their residents “wanting them to experience the best support possible.”
Oak Manor focuses on providing high quality dementia care, both for nursing and residential categories. All of its staff have benefitted from the comprehensive dementia training programme, which is accredited by the acclaimed City & Guilds. It ensures that staff working with those who live well with dementia have the tools and knowledge to best support their residents.
Laura Smith, Oak Manor Home Manager said, “The whole team and I are absolutely delighted with the CQC ‘Good’ rating. We have the most extraordinary team here at Oak Manor and we have incredible support from senior management and colleagues across the company, and the achievement of this rating is down to everyone.”
Laura added, “I am both proud and privileged to lead a team who show a genuine kindness and compassion to those in our care, and go above and beyond to ensure our residents receive the highest standard of love and care to live their lives to the fullest. Our wonderful residents are at the centre of all we do, and seeing them happy means everything to us.”
