Woodleigh Manor Residential Care Home

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 79 (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, well being and communication needs with them.

Assessments were comprehensive and person-centred, drawing on information from people, families and professionals. People’s support needs were regularly reviewed and care records updated. Appropriate assessment tools were used to assess and monitor any potential or known risks to people, such as, skin integrity. A staff member explained,“We’re always feeding back any changes so plans stay up to date.”

People’s communication needs were assessed and recorded in care plans. Personalised communication methods were used, such as flash cards, drawings and use of other software applications. Where English was not a person’s first language, interpreters were in place to support understanding and communications through one-to-one support. People had their own mobile phones and other equipment to communicate regularly with their families.

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.

Care and treatment were delivered in line with recognised guidance, including nutrition, hydration and dementia care principles. Staff worked closely with health professionals such as GPs, district nurses and dietitians to achieve positive outcomes, including weight gain where needed. A relative noted, “She’s eating better now and has gained weight since being here.”

The service showed us compliments and positive feedback from people, their relatives and health professionals visiting the service. One health professional told us, “The registered manager and staff are responsive to any feedback and committed to working with people with complex needs.” They advised Woodleigh Manor was often the only service that offered a place to live when people’s existing placements had completely broken down.

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 collaboratively within the service and with external professionals. They had access to care records and risk assessments when needed so they could meet people’s current needs. Handovers were structured and effective, and staff reported clear communication between shifts and roles. Joint working supported continuity and timely interventions. One staff member stated, “Handovers are clear, you know exactly what’s happened and what needs doing.” A health professional advised, “We always have access to any care records we require during visits and staff always provide ample detail to us when we ask them.”

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 were supported by staff that knew them well to maintain nutrition, hydration, emotional and physical health. Staff promoted comfort, enjoyment of food and wellbeing alongside managing clinical considerations.

Healthy choices were promoted by staff at mealtimes whilst respecting people’s choices and preferences. Activities were varied and considered how to maintain people’s motor skills and support people’s freedom and independence. Health professionals, such as GP’s and dentists regularly visited the service which promoted healthy living outcomes. A staff member said, “We explain what’s healthy, but at the end of the day it’s their choice.”

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves.

Outcomes for people were monitored through regular reviews, audits and observations. The service demonstrated responsiveness to changes in people’s health and wellbeing, with appropriate referrals and adjustments to care. A staff member told us, ““If staff notice changes, they take to the senior and they update care plans and make any assessments, like food changes and health professionals’ input is requested, if needed.” A relative shared how their loved one had changed since their arrival at Woodleigh Manor compared to their last placement,“[Name of person] is much calmer and more settled than they were before.”

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

The provider understood how to apply the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA).The service considered people’s capacity to make decisions, and regularly reviewed people’s ability to make decisions. Best interest decisions were made with input from relevant professionals and relatives when needed.

People were supported to make decisions wherever possible and staff had awareness of the potential for people’s capacity to fluctuate. They always asked for peoples consent before supporting with personal cares. A staff member explained,“We always ask first, even if someone usually says no.”

The registered manager confirmed that Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) documentation was seen and recorded. This meant they knew who had the authority to support with decision making for finance and/ or health and welfare for those unable to make decisions for themselves. Some of the records we viewed included details of the type of LPA in place.