Kirkstall Court

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 good. At this assessment the rating has remained 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. The provider made sure people’s needs were assessed and reviewed so care and treatment were effective.

Assessments reflected people’s health, wellbeing and communication needs, including detailed choking and dysphagia assessments which outlined required food texture adjustments and safe‑eating strategies. Pre‑admission assessments involved relatives and professionals, so the service had a full understanding of each person’s needs before they moved in. Assessments for new people included detailed involvement from social workers, hospital teams and families.

Relatives told us assessments were completed appropriately, saying everything needed “was done in process.” Professionals confirmed the service responded promptly to requests for assessment information.

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.

The provider ensured people received effective and evidence‑based care in line with recognised standards. Staff followed clinical guidance, including recommendations from speech and language therapists. They used risk assessments for diabetes, pressure care, nutrition and falls. Where people were at risk of malnutrition, the service worked with GPs and dieticians to improve nutrition.

We observed staff using calm and patient approaches that were in line with dementia care best practice, and which supported people’s comfort and safety.

Relatives told us that some staff “go out of their way” and one said they provided “exceptional”care. A healthcare professional told us the service was receptive to clinical advice and produced evidence promptly when required.

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 worked well together to deliver coordinated care. Daily multidisciplinary huddles brought together the management team and staff from all departments to share updates about risks, referrals, appointments and changes in people’s needs.

Staff made timely referrals to GPs, district nurses, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists when needed, including follow‑ups for mobility issues, pressure‑care risks and weight‑related concerns.

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.

People told us staff supported them to stay independent, saying they could go out as often as they wished. Relatives noted staff encouraged people to remain active and make their own choices.

Staff supported people to maintain healthier lives by encouraging independence, good routines and community involvement. People were supported to participate in activities such as cooking, laundry and shopping, and staff offered appropriate guidance to help people complete tasks safely. People were supported to go out regularly.

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.

The provider monitored people’s outcomes and used this information to improve care. Staff tracked people’s weight, falls, nutrition, pressure risks and medication outcomes and took action when concerns were identified, such as referring people to GPs, dieticians and occupational therapists.

The service reviewed incidents and safeguarding concerns to identify lessons learned and made changes such as updating care plans, adding equipment like sensor mats or improving staff guidance.

Relatives described seeing positive changes, such as improvements in weight following clinical involvement. Visiting healthcare professionals told us staff worked efficiently to provide information that supported safe care.

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

People told us staff sought their consent and respected their choices. The provider supported people to have choice and control over their care. Staff adapted communication for people with sensory needs to help them understand information and make decisions.

Mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions were completed for those who needed them, in line with Mental Capacity Act requirements.