Oakview Lodge

Updated 12 July 2023

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 2 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

Oakview Lodge is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under 1 contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Oakview Lodge is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations. At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post, however they had submitted their application to register with CQC.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

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

During the inspection We spoke with 8 people and 9 of their relatives who used the service about their experience of the care provided. Where people were unable to talk to us, we observed people's interactions with staff and the care provided to them. We spoke with the manager, the regional manager, deputy manager and 6 members of staff. We reviewed 6 people's care records and looked at the service's quality assurance arrangements.

Updated 12 July 2023

About the service

Oakview Lodge is a residential care home providing nursing and personal care to people. The care home accommodates 70 people in 1 adapted building. The service provides support to older people and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 69 people using the service.

People's experience of using the service and what we found.

People's care was personalised to reflect their individual needs and preferences. People's care plans did not always consistently provide enough information of identified risks or guidance for staff to safely manage them. Daily monitoring of risks to people’s health were not always completed such as weekly weighing and ensuring pressure mattresses were correctly set.

Staff understood how to raise concerns and knew what to do to safeguard people. Lessons were learnt when things went wrong but further improvement was needed to ensure the outcomes of safeguarding incidents were shared. Staff reflections around clinical care required improvement to embed learning across the clinical team.

People enjoyed the meals provided; however, improvements were required to ensure the dining experience was positive. At times some people who required assistance with eating did not receive this in a timely manner.

There were sufficient numbers of staff available, however, improvements were needed around the deployment of staff, particularly during busy periods.

The quality auditing systems in place were not always effective at identifying areas for improvement. The systems had not identified the improvements identified at this inspection.

People medicines were managed safely, and people received these as the prescriber intended. Effective arrangements were in place to ensure recruitment checks on staff were safe. People were cared for in a clean, hygienic environment and systems were in place to minimise the risk of infections.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff provided care in a sensitive and caring manner, putting people’s choices and preferences at the centre. People were supported to maintain relationships, form new friendships, and pursue their own hobbies and interests. Staff were passionate about enabling people to retain their independence and autonomy.

People and relatives felt able to raise concerns or complaints and were confident they would be listened to.

People were cared for and supported by staff who had received appropriate training.

We received positive feedback on the service and the management team. People were involved in discussions about the day to day running of the service and were kept informed of developments. The management team acknowledged when things went wrong and worked with people and partner agencies in an open and transparent manner.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 02 August 2021, and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected.

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We carried out an unannounced inspection of this service on 11 May and 13 June 2023.

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.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment and the governance and oversight of the

service at this inspection. We have also made a recommendation about staff records and ensuring that they

demonstrate that staff competencies have been adequately assessed for the role they are doing.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

You can read the report by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Oakview Lodge on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will meet with the provider following this report being published to discuss how they will make changes to ensure they improve their rating to at least good. We will work with the local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.