Albany House - Doncaster

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 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. Pre-admission assessments were carried out which ensured the provider could meet people’s needs and any required equipment was sourced prior to them moving into the care home. People's assessed needs were reviewed regularly and care was delivered in line with people's needs.

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 offered a varied menu and food options for people. Where people had modified or specialised diets, the provider ensured meals were prepared in accordance with clinical guidelines. Where people needed additional support, for example, plate guards or assistance with eating, this was in place. One person told us, “The food is quite good, there is always a choice. You have plenty to drink and [staff] always bring juice around. [Staff] come in the morning and ask you what you would like to eat at lunchtime.” Another person said, “The food is nice. I can have something different if I want. I have lost weight since I came here which is very good and I can walk again.”

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. There was good communication between teams of staff which ensured care and support was consistent and joined up. Members of staff were able to access care plans and care records using electronic devices.

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Member of staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. People’s care plans confirmed they had access to healthcare professionals as required. We saw people were referred to clinical services, including speech and language therapy and dietetics, for specialised advice and guidance.

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured outcomes were positive and consistent, and met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. People’s weight and fluid intake was monitored and appropriate actions taken in response to significant changes. People’s care plans included agreed and expected outcomes from care and support interventions.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. People were asked about their consent to care and support and their decisions recorded. People’s capacity to make decisions was reviewed under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and where people lacked capacity, decision were made in people’s best interests. We found the service was working within the principles of the MCA and if needed, appropriate legal authorisations were in place to deprive a person of their liberty.