Oak Lodge Care Home

Oak Lodge Care Home in Prestwich provides nursing and personal care for up to 41 older individuals, with 38 residents living there during the inspection. Following previous concerns identified in 2019, the home has successfully implemented action plans and introduced new electronic medication management systems, leading to a much stronger overall service. Families and residents share largely positive feedback about the daily experience, praising the dedicated team and clean environment, while management continues actively recruiting to address occasional workload demands and reduce reliance on agency staff.

Residents are protected from avoidable harm through thorough safety checks, robust recruitment procedures, and well-maintained premises equipped with working fire safety systems and specialist equipment like hoists and profiling beds. Infection control practices are handled to a high standard, with visitors, testing, and spotless cleanliness well managed across the home. However, some relatives noted mixed feelings regarding staffing levels and the frequency of changing agency faces, though management keeps rotas under active review and ongoing recruitment is underway to build better staff familiarity.

Care plans successfully assess and manage individual health risks, such as falls, nutrition, and skin pressure care, with regular involvement from local GPs and healthcare professionals to support residents' changing needs. Residents receive their prescribed medicines reliably through a newly adopted electronic system that minimizes errors, supported by properly trained and assessed staff. Relatives report feeling reassured that their family members receive appropriate clinical attention and tailored support directly within the home environment.

Interactions between residents and staff are consistently polite, respectful, and kind, creating a welcoming and happy atmosphere. Residents and their families speak very warmly of the care provided, highlighting that staff know individuals well and handle daily routines with genuine compassion. Relatives frequently mention they would happily recommend the home to others, praising the strong emotional support and person-centred attention shown to their loved ones throughout the challenges of the pandemic.

Communication between the home, families, and residents remains strong through regular phone calls, emails, surveys, and visits, ensuring people stay closely involved in their relatives' care. Staff feel well supported by an approachable and visible management team, noting that team morale has noticeably improved alongside clear daily communication and regular supervisions. The leadership team works effectively alongside external health and social care professionals to ensure care standards remain high and consistently monitored.