A Little Lever independent hospital has been given a good rating in its latest official report – a downgrade from its previous grade of outstanding.
In the new report published on Friday, February 23, the Care Quality Commission gave Oak Lodge, on Foundry Street in Little Lever, a good rating in all areas for being safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led.
In 2018, the hospital received an ‘outstanding’ rating overall.
The mental health service was commended for having enough nurses and doctors and for minimising the use of restrictive practices in its care.
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The report said the service got its good rating through providing a ‘safe and clean’ environment, with ward staff said to work well together with their teams and others outside the ward.
Staff were also praised for treating patients with ‘compassion and kindness’, meeting ‘the needs of all patients’ and for respecting their privacy and dignity.
Patients’ care plans were said to be ‘personalised, holistic and recovery orientated’ by inspectors.
Even when short-staffed, patients on the ward were said to ‘rarely’ have their escorted leave or activities cancelled.
However, patients told CQC staff that they wanted more meetings with the consultant psychiatrist and that the frozen meals provided by the hospital were not of good quality.
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The hospital was commended for having good links with local colleges and voluntary work opportunities, as well as a local library that runs a ‘garden brew and chat’ group and ‘conservation cafe’.
The service’s leadership was also praised, with the registered manager praised for knowing the service well.
A spokesperson for Alternative Futures Group Limited, which runs Oak Lodge, said: “We are delighted with the recent ‘Good’ CQC rating for our Oak Lodge independent hospital.
“The report positively highlights how our staff understand the needs of our patients and care for them in a discreet, respectful and responsive way.
“Patients and families also stated they were actively involved in care decisions.”
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