Oakleigh Lodge

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence.

At our last assessment we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 79 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider made sure people’s care and treatment were effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. The registered manager had reviewed people’s care plans and offered opportunities for people and people who were close to them to be involved. Care plans demonstrated how people wanted to be cared for and what was important to them. For example, care plans clearly documented how people wished to be supported in various situations such as in times of crisis, frustration or low mood. One person said, “Staff make me feel better, they listen.”

Care plans were regularly reviewed and reflected people’s needs in line with the latest guidance for conditions specific to them such as epilepsy.

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards. Care plans detailed comprehensive guidance for staff on equipment needed to support people, including wheelchairs. People were encouraged to partake in activities and use equipment which promoted health benefits. For example, the home had a sensory room that supported people to lay on crash mats unrestricted, which promoted and developed muscle relief and strength while enjoying sensory activity such as lights, music and objects. One person was supported by a sound beam machine. This equipment was 'touch-free' assistive music technology that turned physical movements into sounds and music. This had helped the person learn that force was not needed to create an effect. This had improved and enhanced the person’s desired outcomes as they had experienced a reduction in periods of frustration whilst engaging with staff and other people and had also improved their overall movement and co-ordination.

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. They made sure people only needed to tell their story once by sharing their assessment of needs when people moved between different services. Staff were provided with clear, accurate and reflective information and guidance by the registered manager on how people wanted to be supported and how to manage any known risks. Partners told us the registered manager had worked well with them and had actioned what was required within a timely manner.

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. One person took delight in telling us about the activities they were regularly supported to access in the community. People were supported to access sessions such as pet therapy. One person had requested support to interact with a pony. The provider and registered manager had facilitated this. The person benefited from the outdoor experience whist improving their motor skills and reducing condition acquired muscle stiffness.

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. There was a process and system in place to monitor people’s dietary and fluid intake and where risks were identified we found action was taken to reduce risks. Care plans were updated to reflect changes implemented by other health professionals to support best practice. We saw people were regularly assessed and monitored, for example with regular weight checks and clinical appointments to report changes and seek advice. We saw an example of a person reducing their need of additional nutritional supplements due to improved nutritional intake.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. Staff knew about people's capacity to make decisions through verbal or non-verbal means, and this was documented in their care plan. For people who were assessed as lacking mental capacity for certain decisions, staff clearly recorded assessments and any best interest decisions. We observed people consistently being offered choice and supported with appropriate communication methods that were person centred.

The provider was working within the principles of the MCA and staff were knowledgeable and demonstrated effective ways of supporting people to make decisions whilst remaining as independent as possible. For example, staff had built trusting relationships with people and were able to recognise visual cues for decision making where people were unable to verbally communicate. We observed one person being offered a choice of activity during the assessment and staff identified facial expressions and body movements indicating the person’s decision. We saw the person’s excited and responsive actions once the activity commenced confirming staff had clearly communicated with and understood the person’s wants and needs.