Alina Homecare Horsham

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 registered manager completed assessments with people. They documented their needs, wishes and preferences directly into care plans for staff to instantly access through a care planning app. People and their relatives contributed during the assessment process to provide staff with a full understanding about people’s personalities, backgrounds and histories. Care plans were expanded on as additional information was gained and the registered manager reviewed care plans and gained feedback from people to ensure they were happy with the service. Assessments included people’s communication needs and any requirements they had in relation to these.

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 registered manager identified where people may need equipment to support them safely. They were concerned about a person who required support with moving and handling and was unable to access equipment. With the person’s permission they spoke with family members to arrange further support and equipment. The registered manager and staff consistently told us how people’s needs and what was important to them was central to how staff supported them. This was confirmed by people and their family members, comments included, “[Loved one] didn’t want care to start with, but now they look forward to talking to them, they are marvellous. [Loved one] has a hoist. It’s all there in the plan. They have exercises from the physio, they do every day with them. No concerns at all.”

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 registered manager gave examples of working well in teams both within the service, the wider organisation, family members and external professionals. They operated an online care management system which ensured information relating to people’s needs was reviewed regularly and shared appropriately with people and their loved ones. People and their family members spoke positively about being able to access this information. One family member told us, “[Staff] use the app, it’s nice to see what mood [loved one] is in. They say they have had a chat with them and put if there is anything they have asked for, its good”.

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. Some people were supported with meal planning and preparation. A person said, “[Staff] ask ‘what do you want’, I tell them and they do it, they bring it in on a tray, nicely.” A staff member spoke of how they supported people in some cases reduce their need for future support, “We encourage clients` independence by letting them do what they can, and support them with what they can`t do themselves. In many cases our service users gain back their independence and leave the service”.

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured outcomes were positive and consistent, and they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. People’s care records confirmed regular reviews were completed, and staff monitored people on a day to day basis. Where needed, referrals to healthcare professionals were made. A family member gave an example of when staff recognised a change in the person’s health and sought medical advice which was acted on promptly preventing a worsening in their health. The family member told us they appreciated how staff had noticed the deterioration and acted quickly.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. Care staff had received training for the Mental Capacity Act and understood their responsibilities under this legislation. People told us staff consistently asked their permission for all decisions. Comments included, “They become friends, they talk to me and have a laugh. They will say shall I do your [support task] now”. The registered manager and staff consistently demonstrated their awareness of people’s rights. A staff member said, “We always ask the client of their wishes and encourage them to take part in every decision about their care whether this is what they would like to wear or what they want for lunch. We ensure we communicate clearly with the clients and ensure they have a good understanding of what we are doing”.