Oak Lodge Care Home

Updated 31 March 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.

This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had continued to meet the fundamental standards in respect to meeting nutritional and hydration needs, staffing and premises and equipment . We will assess all of the key questions at the next comprehensive inspection of the service.

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. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors.

Service and service type

Oak Lodge Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Oak Lodge Care Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 7 February 2022 and ended on 21 February 2022. We visited the service on 7 February 2022.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We spoke to one social care professional who had recent experience of working with the service.

During the inspection-

We spoke to seven people, who were able to give us limited feedback about the care they received. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, the clinical manager, operations manager, nursing staff and care staff. We also spoke to a further six members of nursing and care staff via telephone. We reviewed care plans of four people in relation to nutritional and hydration needs. We reviewed policies, audits, minutes from staff meetings, action plans and documentation related to safety and maintenance of the service.

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

After the inspection

We reviewed all the evidence collected.

Updated 31 March 2022

This inspection took place on 28 June, 2 and 4 July 2018 and was unannounced. During our previous inspection on 22 and 25 November 2016, we found a breach of Regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and a breach of Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. We followed up this inspection with a focussed inspection on 8 September 2017 which looked at the area of ‘Safe’ only, to check whether the necessary improvements had been made. We found the provider had sustained the required improvements and there was no longer a breach of Regulations.

Oak Lodge Care Home is a care home for up to 71 people who require nursing and personal care. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. At the time of inspection there were 70 people living at the home.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

People living at Oak Lodge Care Home received a service which was responsive. The provider found imaginative and creative ways to make sure people's care and support met their needs and reflected their preferences and background. People near the end of their life received care and treatment of a high standard which was recognised by external professionals. Where people had concerns, the provider listened to identify ways to improve the service.

People living at the home were put at the centre of processes to monitor and improve the quality of the service. People received a service which was well led. There was a very open, inclusive atmosphere in the home, with a strong sense of team working and ethos of continuous improvement. There was a very effective system of governance, and thorough and sustained systems of quality assurance. The provider paid particular attention to developing the skills of staff which led to an improved level of care.

The provider had systems in place to protect people from risks to their safety and welfare, including the risks of avoidable harm and abuse. Staffing levels were sufficient to support people safely. Recruitment processes were in place to make sure people were supported by staff who were suitable to work in a care setting. There were arrangements in place to store medicines safely and administer them safely and in line with people's preferences. Arrangements to control and manage the risk of infection were established in line with national guidance.

People's care and support needs were assessed and care plans developed based on national guidance. Staff received appropriate training and supervision to maintain and develop their skills and knowledge to support people according to their needs. Staff put into practice the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People were supported to access healthcare services, such as GPs and specialist nurses and therapists.

People experienced good continuity and consistency of care, from staff who were kind and compassionate. The registered manager had created an inclusive, family atmosphere at the home. People were relaxed and comfortable in the presence of staff who invested time to develop meaningful relationships with them. People's independence was promoted by staff who encouraged them to do as much for themselves as possible. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and were sensitive to their needs regarding equality, diversity and their human rights.