Oak Lodge

Updated 23 February 2024

Oak Lodge is a single storey independent hospital, providing 12 rehabilitation beds for men and women with enduring mental illness. It is an inpatient community rehabilitation unit for adults of working age. The service accepts patients detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA).

Oak Lodge is part of the Alternative Futures Group Ltd and was inspected by the Care Quality Commission on 18 June 2018 where it was rated outstanding.

It is registered for the following regulated activities:

• Assessment and treatment under the Mental Health Act

• Treatment of disease disorder or injury.

These regulated activities permit the hospital to provide care and treatment to informal and detained patients.

At the time of this inspection, there was a registered manager in post. There was also a named controlled drugs accountable officer. This meant that there was a senior person in charge who checked that the hospital met the appropriate regulations and oversaw the arrangements for managing controlled drugs (drugs that require special storage with additional record keeping rules).

What people who use the service say

We spoke to 5 people who used the service. They told us they felt safe in the hospital. They commented that staff were kind and always took time to talk to them, showing a genuine interest in their wellbeing.

Two patients commented that they only met with the doctor 6 weekly and they felt this wasn't enough, in comparison to weekly meetings in their previous hospital. Two patients also told us that the frozen meals that the hospital provided (delivered frozen and then reheated as per the menu) were not good quality and there was not enough choice.

Patients felt that there were enough activities that took place and that staff kept their family and carers involved in their care and treatment. Activities were available 7 days per week.

Updated 23 February 2024

Our rating of this location ​went down​. We rated it as ​good​ because:

• The service provided safe care. The ward environment was safe and clean. The wards had enough nurses and doctors. Staff assessed and managed risk well. They minimised the use of restrictive practices, managed medicines safely and followed good practice with respect to safeguarding.

• Staff developed holistic, recovery-oriented care plans informed by a comprehensive assessment. They provided a range of treatments suitable to the needs of the patients cared for in a mental health rehabilitation ward and in line with national guidance about best practice. Staff engaged in clinical audit to evaluate the quality of care they provided.

• The ward team had access to the full range of specialists required to meet the needs of patients on the wards. Managers ensured that these staff received training, supervision and appraisal. The ward staff worked well together as a multidisciplinary team and with those outside the ward who would have a role in providing aftercare.

• Staff understood and discharged their roles and responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and understood the individual needs of patients. They actively involved patients and families and carers in care decisions.

• Staff planned and managed discharge well and liaised well with services that would provide aftercare. As a result, discharge was rarely delayed for other than a clinical reason.

• The service worked to a recognised model of mental health rehabilitation. It was well led and the governance processes ensured that ward procedures ran smoothly.

However:

• Patients told us that the 6 weekly meeting with the consultant Psychiatrist was not enough, especially if they had something they wanted to discuss.

• Patients told us that the frozen meals that the hospital provided (delivered frozen and then reheated as per the menu) were not good quality and there was not enough choice.

Updated 23 February 2024

Our rating of this service ​went down​. We rated it as ​Good​ because:

• The service provided safe care. The ward environment was safe and clean. The wards had enough nurses and doctors. Staff assessed and managed risk well. They minimised the use of restrictive practices, managed medicines safely and followed good practice with respect to safeguarding.

• Staff developed holistic, recovery-oriented care plans informed by a comprehensive assessment. They provided a range of treatments suitable to the needs of the patients cared for in a mental health rehabilitation ward and in line with national guidance about best practice. Staff engaged in clinical audit to evaluate the quality of care they provided.

• The ward team had access to the full range of specialists required to meet the needs of patients on the wards. Managers ensured that these staff received training, supervision and appraisal. The ward staff worked well together as a multidisciplinary team and with those outside the ward who would have a role in providing aftercare.

• Staff understood and discharged their roles and responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and understood the individual needs of patients. They actively involved patients and families and carers in care decisions.

• Staff planned and managed discharge well and liaised well with services that would provide aftercare. As a result, discharge was rarely delayed for other than a clinical reason.

• The service worked to a recognised model of mental health rehabilitation. It was well led and the governance processes ensured that ward procedures ran smoothly.

However:

• Patients told us that the 6 weekly meeting with the consultant Psychiatrist was not enough, especially if they had something they wanted to discuss.

• Patients told us that the frozen meals that the hospital provided (delivered frozen and then reheated as per the menu) were not good quality and there was not enough choice.