St Johns House

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 outstanding. 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. People's needs were assessed before they moved into the service to make sure staff could provide the care and support they needed. This assessment considered how people wanted to be supported and any needs in relation to culture, religion or ethnicity. People and their relatives were involved in this process. Care and support needs were reviewed on a regular basis after people had moved in. People spoken to about whether their needs were being met expressed overall satisfaction with the support provided. One individual stated, “All my needs are getting met, I am quite happy. They are very good and do anything for you.” A relative also reported confidence in the quality of care, commenting, “I never feel they are being neglected. The staff seem quite dedicated and quite open.”

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. Staff knew people well and understood their needs and preferences. Mandatory training covered key areas such as learning disabilities, autism, epilepsy and equality and diversity, however there were gaps in training courses being completed by all staff which the provider was working to address. Care plans had been developed with guidance from other professionals. Staff received training and guidance around people’s specific care needs.

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. The evidence reviewed in people’s care plans showed healthcare professionals were contacted in a timely manner when needed. A professional visitor said, “Staff have a good knowledge and relationship with their residents. They advocate for them appropriately to ensure they have received good medical care.” Conversations with staff informed us that they had good knowledge of the needs of the people they were caring for. A visiting professional said, “I regularly visit the service and feel the standard of care is excellent. The residents are treated with dignity and compassion. The staff are exceptional, always professional, attentive and always go that extra mile.”

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. Staff helped people access healthcare professionals promptly and relatives described being informed quickly when concerns arose. A relative told us, “Staff let me know of any changes and they communicate well. They always let me know if [person] is unwell or needs to see the doctor for anything.” One person told us, “I had a chest infection a few months ago, staff got me antibiotics the same day after speaking to the GP.” Staff worked proactively with healthcare professionals when involvement occurred, and documentation demonstrated clear guidance around health conditions and associated risks. People’s emotional wellbeing was supported through caring interactions. Staff observed demonstrated empathy and compassion when people were distressed.

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. Staff supported people to achieve positive outcomes by enabling participation in a range of activities. One person said, “When I was younger, I used to love dancing and music. I miss it, but we have singers come in and I really enjoy that.”

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005). People were supported to make everyday decisions, and staff provided care at each person’s preferred pace and in their preferred way. One person told us, “The staff always talk to me first about any suggested changes or if anything is happening.” Care documentation reviewed showed staff supported people with decision‑making when required. Where people lacked capacity, best‑interest decisions were recorded and involved relevant people. A staff member told us, “I always ask people for their consent before carrying out any task and explain what I am doing as I go.”