A ward for older people who use mental health services at a south London trust has improved - according to the Care Quality Commission.
Oaktree Lodge, is a 17 bed ward providing continuing care to older people with mental health problems. The ward, part of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, provides care and treatment to male and female patients, and most patients need support with their physical health as well.
This follow-up inspection, which took place in June 2018, was carried out following a safeguarding adult investigation, which had upheld allegations of poor care provided to a patient. CQC inspected in April 2018 and informed the trust it must improve care on the ward.
All of the trust’s wards for older adults with mental health problems were inspected in April 2016. At that time, the core service was rated as Good. This inspection looked at some aspects of how one ward provided care and so the rating of the care service was not reviewed.
During this latest inspection, staff had reviewed and updated patients’ risk assessments. Patients’ care plans were detailed, specific and addressed all the patients’ needs. Patients’ involvement and preferences were reflected in their care plans. Visiting GPs recorded their assessments and treatment recommendations in patients’ care and treatment records.
The additional support of senior managers had provided clear leadership to the staff team, supporting them to implement changes. The ward was introducing an improved system of quality and performance monitoring to ensure that standards of care and treatment were monitored and improved.
CQC found that senior managers had supported staff to become more self-aware of their attitudes and behaviours. This had resulted in better staff communication, a clearer focus on patient-centred care and increased staff motivation to improve care for all patients.
Inspectors found that the number and range of activities had increased significantly. The activity programme included a range of meaningful and social activities.
Staff were observed spending most of their time with patients. Staff supported patients with activities, and patients were engaged, smiling, and appeared happier. Staff treated patients with respect and dignity.
Patients’ care plans showed that staff had involved patients in their development. Staff clearly included patients’ preferences and their views of their needs and care.
The trust had provided additional management support to ward leaders and the nursing team. Senior managers spent significant amounts of time on the ward supporting staff, providing clear and visible leadership, involving staff with changes, and addressing cultural, professional and motivational issues amongst the staff team.
During this inspection, CQC found the trust had made changes to the system to monitor and improve standards of quality and safety on the ward. There were new systems in place to monitor the quality of patients’ care records, to address staff training needs, and to improve how staff collected and used carer and family feedback. The service had increased the frequency of its performance meetings.
The trust was developing an older people’s care forum to share good practice and develop and improve standards of care and treatment for all older adults receiving support from the trust.
Jane Ray, CQC’s Head of Hospital Inspection (Mental Health), said:
“I am very pleased at the scope of improvements Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust has made on Oaktree Lodge ward.
“The standard of care on the ward would now seem to reflect the Good overall rating the trust has. The leadership team needs to ensure that this standard is upheld throughout the organisation in the future.”
Read the inspection report in full
Ends
For further information, please contact Ray Cooling, Regional Engagement Manager (London), on 020 7448 9136 or call the press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours.
Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here.
Please note: the press office is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters. For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.
I am very pleased at the scope of improvements Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust has made on Oaktree Lodge ward.
Jane Ray, Head of Hospital Inspection (Mental Health)