The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Oak Lodge Care Home

Lordsleaze Lane, Chard, Somerset, TA20 2HN (01460) 67258

Provided and run by:
Majestic Number One Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

27 June 2012

During a themed inspection looking at Dignity and Nutrition

People told us what it was like to live at this home and described how they were treated by staff and their involvement in making choices about their care. They also told us about the quality and choice of food and drink available. This was because this inspection was part of a themed inspection programme to assess whether older people living in care homes are treated with dignity and respect and whether their nutritional needs are met.

The inspection team was led by a CQC inspector joined by an Expert by Experience (people who have experience of using services and who can provide that perspective). We talked with eight of the people who lived in the home and observed the care and support provided to others who were unable to communicate verbally with us. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a specific way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

People who lived in the home told us that they were happy with the way they were looked after. We were told 'I am perfectly happy and if I have to be somewhere, I can't think of a better place' and 'You can't grumble everybody here is happy. I love sitting in my room and watching the birds in the garden'. One person who lived in the Acorn residential area for people with a dementia said 'I would like it to be a bit more homely, but staff treat me like a lady, they are all good souls'. People told us that the staff were good at meeting their health and welfare needs. We were told 'I have been happy here since day one, and have no complaints' and 'The staff are all lovely'.

The majority of people we talked with told us that they enjoyed the meals provided. One person said 'I have three good meals a day and the staff encourage me to eat the good nourishing food. I eat better than I did when I was at home'. Others told us 'I get plenty to eat and drink' and 'If I want anything I only have to ask. I've got no complaints'.

People who lived in the home told us they felt safe. They said they knew how to raise concerns and felt comfortable about doing so. One person said 'I would talk to the staff or the manager if I had any concerns and I'm sure they would do something about it'. Another person said 'I've never been treated badly myself and I've never seen anyone else treated badly'.

We spoke with three people's relatives who were visiting them on the day of our inspection. They told us they were included in decisions about their relative's care and were kept informed of changes in their relative's condition.

14 July 2011

During a routine inspection

Many of the people living at the home are unable to fully express their views about the service they receive. We observed that people appeared well presented and relaxed. People being nursed in bed looked comfortable and warm and pressure relieving equipment was in place according to their assessed needs.

Everyone asked said that they were happy with the care they received. One person said 'I enjoy living here and am well cared for.' Visitors spoken with said that they had no complaints and felt able to discuss any aspects of their relatives care with a member of staff.

People asked were happy with the quality of food served and all said that they always had plenty to eat. Everyone said that there was always a choice of food and they were able to choose where they ate their meals. One person said they were quite fussy about food and that the kitchen often provided them with a meal not on the menu. They said 'I have whatever I want.'

During the morning we saw drinks being given to people in one of the lounges. Staff told people what was happening and appeared to know people's personal preferences. One person, when given a cup of tea, commented 'Just how I like it.' We noted that two people, who required physical support to drink, were not given drinks until we pointed out that they had not received anything.

People were complimentary about the staff who supported them. More than one person living at the home said that staff were 'Always cheerful.' Other comments about staff included 'Staff are very friendly,' 'They are very good' and 'Staff are very kind and helpful.' People asked said that they would share any worries with a member of staff. One person said 'The staff would listen and sort it out.'

Throughout our visit we observed that people had access to call bells. We did not hear call bells ringing for extended periods of time suggesting that staff responded quickly to any requests for support. One person living at the home commented that although staff usually responded quickly 'Sometimes you can wait a long time, especially in the morning.'

We saw that people's privacy was respected and we noted that staff assisted one person back to their bedroom when a healthcare professional visited them. People had unrestricted access to the communal areas and their personal rooms. One person with poor mobility said that they could always ask staff if they wished to go back to their room during the day.