Red Oaks Care Community

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 75 (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 was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

Since our last assessment, care plans had been reviewed and updated to provide staff with clear guidance on how to meet people's assessed needs. This included detailed information relating to skin integrity and pressure area care. For example, care plans contained clear instructions on when and how people should be supported to reposition to reduce the risk of skin damage. People and their relatives told us they had been involved in care planning and review processes. One person said, "I was included in my care plan and am able to see it whenever I need. They [staff] review it all the time."

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.

We observed staff providing care and support in line with people's care plans and assessed needs. For example, where people required modified diets or support with eating and drinking, staff followed the guidance in place and delivered care safely. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of identified risks and were able to describe how they followed best practice guidance and recommendations from healthcare professionals to support positive outcomes for people.

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 described effective communication systems within the home, including daily handovers, flash meetings and regular team meetings. These arrangements helped ensure important information was shared consistently and people received joined-up care. Professionals told us they had seen improvements in the service's partnership working and responsiveness. One healthcare professional said, "There have been definite improvements in the last six months. The home needs to stabilise now after all the changes, but they are responsive and open to working with us."

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.

The provider had made improvements since our last assessment. Daily care records were completed more consistently and were subject to regular audits and oversight. Records relating to repositioning, food and fluid intake were completed at the time care was delivered, helping to ensure people's needs were monitored effectively and responded to promptly. Relatives spoke positively about the support provided to people. One relative said, "Staff try and do everything they can, and as much for emotional wellbeing as the physical. They have let me stay over when [name] has been poorly. They encourage people to go outside and get fresh air."

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.

Systems and processes for monitoring quality and safety had improved since our last assessment. Audits were effective in identifying risks and areas for improvement, including issues relating to equipment, the environment and infection prevention and control. Action plans were implemented where concerns were identified, and records demonstrated improvements had been achieved and sustained. This supported safer care and a better living environment for people using the service.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.

Care plans had been reviewed and updated since our last assessment to ensure information relating to consent and decision-making was accurate and consistent. Contradictory information had been removed, and records clearly documented people's capacity to make decisions. Where people lacked capacity to make specific decisions, appropriate best-interest decision-making processes had been followed and recorded. Staff demonstrated an understanding of people's rights and the importance of gaining consent before providing care. One person told us, "Staff are lovely, they always ask before they do anything, they don't just assume. They also know if I'm having an off day and might need more encouragement, but they never pressure me to do anything."