St Denis Lodge Residential 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 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 together with people and their relatives before they moved into the service. Care plans were shaped from these discussions and detailed people’s needs, with guidance for staff on how to meet these. Reviews took place regularly to ensure that care was still in line with their needs and wishes. A health and social care professional told us, “During my interactions with staff I have found their care planning to be flexible to meet the needs of their residents both permanent and on respite. They have carried out requested changes in care approach and taken on board feedback.”

There was clear evidence people’s wishes and preferences were consistently documented within their care plans. These records contained not only medical and support requirements but also captured details on how each person preferred to communicate and receive care. Staff told us they knew how to access peoples care plans and that important changes were communicated at handovers, “We have handover meetings at the beginning of each main shift, and the information is also available on caredocs for other staff to read.”

People and relatives told us that they felt involved in developing the care plans and their voices were honoured throughout.

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.

People’s nutrition and hydration needs were assessed and met. When required, people were referred to the speech and language therapist (SALT). SALT undertake assessments of swallowing or communication difficulties for people with medical, neurological and surgical conditions.

People experienced an organised and pleasant mealtime experience. During lunch, we observed staff supporting people in a calm and respectful way. The menu and information about meal choices was readily available. People were offered drinks and snacks between meals, and they told us the food was nice and they had plenty to eat and drink. Records relating to people’s nutritional and hydration needs were up to date and reflected their individual requirements. A professional said,” They are always inquiring about and understanding people's 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 service worked with external professionals to ensure people’s needs were met and information was shared to ensure continuity of care. Relevant agencies had been involved in shaping people’s care plans, and any advice that had been offered was implemented. This was evident in peoples care documentation and confirmed in feedback from health and social care professionals.

Comments included, “I have always found them hardworking, respectful, and dignified of residents and very responsive to changing things to make improvements.” And “As a team who deal with a lot of nursing and care homes, we honestly feel this is the best by far and if the need came for a relative to go into a home, this would be my top choice easily “

People’s needs were reviewed in collaboration with appropriate teams to ensure their care remained effective. The staff team worked well together and shared information in regular handovers to ensure everyone was aware of any changing needs.

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 positive relationships with health and social care professionals in their locality. People were regularly seen by a GP who did a monthly proactive ward round to see everyone as well as when needed in between.

The service was proactive in monitoring health trends such as weight and reviewed the support and risk management plans in partnership with healthcare professionals.

People were supported to have a balanced diet which contained a good variety of healthy food choices. The chef knew the residence well and told us how they discuss any dietary requirements with people and the management team to ensure people’s needs and preferences were met. People were happy with the quality of the food, although feedback from staff suggested choice at supper time was more limited.

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.

People’s care and support was monitored to help improve outcomes for people. Staff monitored people’s health daily and knew how to escalate concerns if people’s condition changed.

People had routine health checks, including medicine reviews. Where guidance had been provided, we observed this being followed to improve outcomes for people. For example, when people’s nutrition intake was poor, food supplements were suggested and implemented. A health care professional told us, “I am particularly impressed with how quickly they act on any tasks required for their patients after the ward rounds with great efficiency and attention to detail.”

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

People were supported to consent to their care. Signed consent forms had been utilised for people to agree to the provision of care in line with their assessed needs.

Records showed that when a person might lack capacity to make specific decisions, assessments were carried out in line with legislation. Best-interest decisions involved the person, their representatives, and relevant professionals.

Staff had received training regarding the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and were knowledgeable about consent and worked within the principles of the MCA. Staff described how they supported people in the least restrictive way possible, encouraging them to make informed choices about their care and daily routines. A staff member told us, “The residents are always asked for consent when providing care and are asked how they wish things to be done. Details of their wishes are also in the resident’s care plan. If a resident changes their mind we respect that also.”