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What the CQC found at Oakley Lodge Care Home (55)

Goodpublished 10 March 2025, 18 months ago

Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.

The latest report, explained

What inspectors found, November 2020

Oakley Lodge Care Home had an infection-control inspection that was not rated, and inspectors were assured that people were being protected from infection.

Inspectors visited on 6 November 2020. The visit was announced and formed part of a CQC thematic review of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.

Inspectors found good practice in visiting arrangements, use of protective equipment, social distancing, cleaning and admissions. Staff had received infection-control training and were observed using protective equipment correctly.

The home was assured in all the infection-control areas checked, including testing, safe admissions, hygiene, managing outbreaks and keeping its policy up to date. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.

What inspectors praised
  • Safe visiting

    The home had checks and protective measures for visitors, including temperature checks, risk information, PPE and hand sanitiser. Garden, window and video visits were available.

    “The service had a robust process and policy to ensure safe visiting” from the report
  • Staff infection-control practice

    Staff had infection-control training and understood how to reduce coronavirus risks. Inspectors saw staff using PPE in line with guidance.

    “Staff knew how to safely use PPE and were observed to be following all guidance.” from the report
  • Safe admissions

    The home required negative coronavirus tests for new admissions where people could tolerate testing. Extra staffing and other arrangements were used when people could not tolerate testing or isolation.

    “All people newly admitted must have had a negative COVID-19 test for those who could tolerate it.” from the report
  • Monitoring health

    The home used the NEWS2 tool and other methods to help identify symptoms and respond to possible deterioration.

    “Additionally, other techniques were used to help with early identification of symptoms such as the National Early Warning Sign tool, (NEWS2).” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about

Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.

Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01How have your visiting arrangements changed since the inspection, including indoor visits?
  2. 02How do you currently test new residents and support people who cannot tolerate testing or isolation?
  3. 03How do you make sure staff continue to use PPE correctly?
  4. 04What arrangements are in place now to identify and respond to early signs of illness?
  5. 05When was the infection prevention and control policy last reviewed?

This was an announced thematic inspection focused on infection prevention and control, covering the Safe question only; the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 November 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.

An earlier report, explained

What inspectors found, December 2019

Oakley Lodge Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some people needing help to understand information.

This was a planned, unannounced inspection on 4 and 16 December 2019. The inspector observed care, spoke with people, staff, relatives and the manager, and checked care plans, medicines, staff records and quality checks.

The home supported seven people with physical and learning disabilities. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, suitable risk assessments and a clean environment. People had access to food, drink, healthcare and activities suited to their interests.

Staff were described and observed as kind, respectful and attentive. Care plans gave staff detailed information about people's needs. People were supported to make choices, communicate in different ways and remain as independent as possible.

All five areas were rated Good: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. This was the same overall rating as the previous inspection, published on 9 June 2017. A new provider had taken over in June 2019, and inspectors found arrangements to support continuity of care.

What inspectors praised
  • Kind and respectful care

    People and relatives described staff as kind and caring. Inspectors observed friendly interactions and respect for people's dignity.

    “People and relatives told us staff were kind and caring.” from the report
  • Good understanding of individual needs

    Care plans contained detailed guidance, and staff understood how people communicated and what support they needed.

    “People's care plans ensured staff knew how to support them effectively.” from the report
  • Safe staffing and medicines

    People and staff said there were enough staff. Medicines were given as prescribed and staff competence was checked.

    “Records showed that staff gave people their medicines as prescribed by their doctors.” from the report
  • Choice and independence

    Staff supported people to make choices, use their preferred communication methods and do as much as possible for themselves.

    “Staff helped people to maintain their skills and remain as independent as possible.” from the report
  • Continuity during provider change

    The home had changed provider in June 2019. Inspectors found a transition period and handover arrangements intended to keep care safe and consistent.

    “There had been good transition arrangements to the new provider to ensure continuity of care.” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about
  • Some people needed help with information

    minor

    Some people could not speak, read or write. Although information was available in easy-read and pictorial formats, they still needed support to understand it.

    “Some information had been given to people in easy read and pictorial formats, but they needed support to understand this too.” from the report
Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01How will you help my relative understand information if they cannot speak, read or write?
  2. 02How do you record and use my relative's preferred ways of communicating?
  3. 03What activities and outings could my relative take part in, especially if their mobility or health changes?
  4. 04How will you involve me in decisions if my relative cannot make a particular decision themselves?
  5. 05What has changed since the provider took over in June 2019, and how will care remain consistent?

This was a planned, unannounced inspection covering the whole service and all five CQC questions, including the premises and care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 31 December 2019 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.

The story over the years

Every inspection of Oakley Lodge Care Home (55)

3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.

  1. November 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent rating
    Safe: Inspected but not rated

    Read what inspectors found at Oakley Lodge Care Home (55) →

  2. December 2019Goodstayed Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read what inspectors found at Oakley Lodge Care Home (55) →

  3. June 2017Goodstayed Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  4. June 2015Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  5. December 2013

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  6. December 2012

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  7. January 2012

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  8. November 2011

    Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 November 2011.

Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.

Next steps

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