Archived: Oak Tree Lodge

Updated 1 December 2020

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 Care Act 2014.

This was a targeted inspection on specific concerns we had about risk management and infection control at the service.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by an adult social care inspector.

Service and service type

Oak Tree Lodge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. 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.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the district manager, registered manager, senior care workers and care workers. We observed care and support being provided in communal areas.

We reviewed a range of records. This included documents relating to risk management and infection control. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 1 December 2020

This was an unannounced inspection carried out on 21 and 22 June 2017. At the last inspection we found that there was a lack of management oversight at the service and that there was not a robust programme of activities. Furthermore we found that the building was not properly maintained and that staff did not receive appropriate support and supervision. At this inspection we found improvements had been made in all these areas.

Oak Tree Lodge is situated in the Harehills area of Leeds. It is a purpose built home with 60 beds, providing care for older people and people living with a dementia related condition. There were 59 people living at the service at the time of inspection. The building was split into three floors, with the ground and first floor catered towards people living with a dementia related condition, and the top floor was for people requiring personal care and accommodation. The building was wheelchair accessible with lift access to all floors, and the building was secured with keypad entry.

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 told us they felt safe in the home. There were enough staff to deliver care safely, and staff had appropriate training. Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults. People had plans in place to manage risks, which were understood by staff.

People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. Medication Administration Records (MAR charts) accurately recorded prescribed medications delivered and medicines were stored safely. People had regular and appropriate access to health professionals to meet their needs. Staff worked in partnership with health professionals who had no concerns with care provided at the service.

There were adequate recruitment processes in place to ensure staff were recruited safely and that they were suitable to meet people’s needs. Staff had sufficient training to ensure they could carry out their roles effectively. Staff were supported with regular appraisals, and the service was starting a new appraisals process to enhance existing mechanisms.

There were policies and procedures in place in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. Staff were trained in the principles of the MCA and could describe how people were supported to make decisions; and where people did not have the capacity; decisions were made in their best interests.

People received support from kind and compassionate staff who understood their individual needs. Care plans were person centred and evidenced input from people and their relatives.

People were supported to eat and drink safely and there was evidence people were able to choose what they wanted. If people did not like the options, kitchen staff were able to prepare alternatives from a well-stocked pantry containing fresh produce. People’s weight was monitored and nutritional risk assessed appropriately.

There were systems in place for people to raise any concerns, and we saw evidence that complaints were responded to, in line with the provider’s policy in a timely and appropriate way.

There was an appropriate programme of meaningful activities for people delivered by staff, and people’s participation was recorded. People were able to access the community and people’s ideas and suggestions were listened to and acted upon. We saw that the service asked people what they thought of their care and that their views generated actions taken by the service to address them.

There was a clear leadership structure with the registered manager holding oversight of governance arrangements. The registered manager provided clear leadership, and staff understood their roles and what was expected of them. We saw that there was an effective quality assurance process, with a range of audits and monitoring systems in place to ensure quality of care was maintained and the environment of the home was safe.