We carried out a review of the data available to us about Oriel Lodge on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Oriel Lodge, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
Visitors were greeted on arrival at the front or side entrance to the home, where guidance was displayed. Visitors were required to have their temperature checked, complete a health declaration, clean their hands and then supported to put on the personal protective equipment (PPE) provided. This included, aprons, masks, gloves and for some visitors, face visors too.
A visiting pod had been purchased and was located in the garden. The pod was named 'The Olive Room.' It was not currently being used because of the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the care home. When it was in use, visits were planned and booked in advance with 30 minute intervals between visits for staff to clean the pod. The registered manager told us the visits had been successful, and they had received a lot of positive feedback from delighted relatives.
People were supported to keep in touch with relatives in ways that were meaningful to them, by phone, video calls and closed window visits. In addition to activities facilitated by the activity staff in the care home, further support was provided. For example, local schoolchildren took part in virtual shows and an entertainer played music and sang to people from the garden.
People were being supported to isolate in their rooms, due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19. However, people in the care home were living with dementia, and for some, it was not possible to achieve social distancing. For people who spent time in communal areas, chairs were arranged to promote social distancing. The registered manager told us they also tried to mitigate the risks of the spread of infection, by encouraging regular handwashing, and enhanced cleaning of frequently used surfaces.
Staff had received Infection Prevention and Control training. Staff compliance with required cleaning practices and use of PPE was monitored on each shift by the shift leader who was the designated 'COVID coordinator'.
The registered manager spoke positively about the support and guidance they received from the Local Authority, Clinical Commissioning Group and the GP practice.
Oriel Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Oriel Lodge accommodates 20 people in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection 16 people were living there.
There was a registered manager in post. 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 Oriel Lodge told us they felt safe and cared for. They told us staff were caring and looked after them well. A relative told us they were very happy with the care at the service. It was evident people felt relaxed and comfortable in the presence of staff. Staff were attentive in a discreet and relaxed manner and people were responded to quickly.
People were very positive about the food, telling us it was home-cooked, there was always a choice and they had enough to eat and drink. People were supported with eating their meal if they needed. However, staff encouraged independence and supported people to do as much as they could themselves.
The service had an activities co-ordinator and people had access to a range of activities; this included being supported to go out to the park and other activities.
Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and worked within this to help people make their own decisions where possible. Decisions were made in people’s best interests following capacity assessments.
Staff morale was good. Staff told us they enjoyed working at Oriel Lodge and felt they delivered a good standard of care.
The service was well-managed. The provider and register manager had a clear overview of what was happening in the service. They identified any improvements needed and put plans in place to address these. Any accidents and incidents were followed up in order to reduce the risk of reocurrence. The staff team had developed good falls prevention systems.