Archived: Oakleigh Lodge

Updated 6 April 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 9 March 2017 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Before the inspection, we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information the provider had sent us including statutory notifications. These are made for serious incidents which the provider must inform us about. We also contacted the commissioners of the service, healthcare professionals and Healthwatch to obtain their views about the care provided at the service. We received feedback from the local authority who commissioned the service for people and four external healthcare professionals.

Due to people’s communication needs we were unable to speak with them directly about their experience of the care and support they received. We therefore used observations to help us understand their experience.

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager, team leader and two support workers. We looked at the relevant parts of the care records of three people, four staff recruitment files and other records relating to the management of the service. This included medicines management, staff training and the systems in place to monitor quality and safety.

After the inspection we spoke with three relatives for their feedback about how the service met their family member’s needs. We also spoke with an area manager who was the provider’s representative.

Updated 6 April 2017

We carried out an unannounced inspection of the service on 9 March 2017.

Oakleigh Lodge provides accommodation and personal care for up to three people living with a learning disability, physical disability and complex healthcare needs. At the time of our inspection there were three people living at the service.

Oakleigh Lodge is required to have 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. At the time of the inspection a registered manager was in post.

People received a safe service. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to protect people from avoidable harm. Staff received adult safeguarding training and had information available about how to respond to a safeguarding concern.

Risks to people's needs had been assessed. Staff had information available about how to meet people’s needs, including action required to reduce and manage known risks. These were reviewed on regular basis. Accidents and incidents were recorded and appropriate action had been taken to reduce further risks. The internal and external environment and equipment used were monitored and maintained.

Concerns were raised by some relatives about the competency and skills of some staff. Action was in place to support staff to gain the required knowledge, skills and competency to meet people’s needs effectively. Safe recruitment practices meant as far as possible only suitable staff were employed.

People received their medicines as prescribed; some concerns were identified with the management of medicines. This was in relation to medicines prescribed as and when required and the use of body maps for the administration of topical creams.

Staff received a detailed and supportive induction, a comprehensive training programme and ongoing support. The registered manager applied the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), so that people's rights were protected.

People received sufficient to eat and drink and their nutritional needs had been assessed and planned for. Staff had a good understanding and awareness of meeting people’s healthcare needs. People received a choice of meals and independence was promoted. Where people required support with eating and drinking this was provided appropriately and in a caring and dignified manner. People's healthcare needs had been assessed and were regularly monitored. The provider worked with healthcare professionals to ensure they provided an effective and responsive service.

People were supported by kind, caring and compassionate staff that were knowledgeable about people’s individual needs and what was important to them. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. People had access to an independent advocate that visited them.

People had a detailed pre-assessment of their needs completed and a transition plan before they moved to the service that met their individual needs. One relative’s experience of communication and involvement with staff of how their family member received care and support was not consistent.

People’s individual interests and hobbies were known and understood by staff but opportunities for people to access and participate in new activities were limited. The provider’s complaints policy was available for people’s relatives and advocate to use if required.

The provider sought feedback from relatives, advocates, professionals and staff as part of their internal quality and assurance procedures.

The provider had systems and processes in place that monitored quality and safety. The provider was meeting their regulatory requirements.