Oak Tree Lodge

Updated 18 March 2025

Date of Assessment: 1 to 8 April 2025. This inspection was prompted due to concerns about the home. However, we did not identify any. Oak Tree Lodge is a care home supporting older people and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection 18 people were living in the home. The home had a good learning culture to ensure they were consistently improving. Staff understood and managed risks. They protected and kept people safe from harm. The facilities and equipment met the needs of people using the service. The home was clean and well-maintained. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience to care for people. Managers made sure they received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Medicines were well managed. Staff included people in the planning of their care. When people did not have the capacity to consent and make decisions about their care, staff had involved the people closest to them to make sure decisions were made in their best interests and were the least restrictive option. Staff monitored people’s health and worked well with other agencies to ensure the best outcomes for people. Staff treated people with kindness and compassion. They treated people as individuals and supported their preferences. Managers supported the wellbeing of the staff. The home had robust systems in place to ensure people could access the health support they needed. The provider and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Staff felt encouraged to be open and supported to give feedback and were treated well when they did so. They were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment and people with protected characteristics felt supported and empowered. There were clear arrangements for accountability and staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with the local community to ensure they delivered the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas. The was a culture of continuous improvement with staff given time and resources to try new ideas.

Updated 18 March 2025

People and their relatives spoke highly of the staff and the quality of care they received at Oak Tree Lodge. People told us they felt safe, were involved in the planning of their care and understood their rights. People said they received good quality care from knowledgeable staff who understood them and their needs well. One person said, “The staff are very good. I am well cared for and looked after.” We observed staff to be kind, caring and respectful. People were included, listened to and staff consistently interacted positively with them. One relative said, “I can’t fault the place. It far surpasses anything I’ve come across before, they seem genuinely interested in people and talk to them, not over them. I’ve observed staff in the lounge when I’ve been visiting, and they are always patient, chatty and friendly.” Healthcare professionals spoke positively about the staff. They said, “I believe that the residents are receiving a safe service and have no concerns that they may be at risk. The staff are knowledgeable and professional. If any of my family or friends needed to be cared for in a home of this size, I would absolutely recommend Oak Tree Lodge to them.”