Miles Ahead Care

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.

This is the first assessment for this newly registered service. This key question has been rated 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.

Assessments were person-centred and considered people’s health, wellbeing, communication needs and daily routines. People, and where appropriate families or advocates, were involved. Care was reviewed regularly to confirm it remained appropriate and to record outcomes and required actions. Records were clear, reflected people’s views, and most people confirmed they were happy with their care.

The service took early action when changes in needs were identified. For example, where mobility concerns arose, referrals were made to the GP and occupational therapy to ensure care remained safe and appropriate. Reviews also reflected changes in people’s circumstances, such as reduced support following improved mobility, with risks considered and outcomes recorded.

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 received care from staff who were trained in key areas such as dementia care, disability awareness and learning disability awareness. This ensured care was delivered in line with current good practice. Staff were able to recognise changes in people’s health and escalate concerns appropriately to support timely intervention.

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 had access to the information they needed to assess, plan and deliver care effectively. Care records were clear and up to date, helping ensure continuity of care. Information was shared appropriately between teams and services, including when needs changed or when people were referred to other professionals.

Staff made referrals in a timely way to help ensure people received the right support. Effective communication with external professionals was evidenced through records and tracking systems, which supported oversight and coordination of care.

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 involved in monitoring their health, with staff identifying changes and taking timely action where needed. For example, when mobility concerns were identified, referrals were made to the GP and occupational therapy to ensure care remained safe and supported improved outcomes. The service worked with a range of health professionals to support ongoing health needs, with staff also monitoring day-to-day wellbeing and escalating concerns promptly.

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 had a range of audits and monitoring systems were in place to review performance and identify areas for improvement, including care records, incidents, complaints and medicines. Leaders reviewed this information regularly to maintain standards and act where needed.

Learning from incidents, complaints and feedback was used to improve outcomes. An incident tracker was used to identify patterns and share learning with staff, helping to reduce the risk of recurrence.

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

Staff followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), with documentation showing appropriate application and an understanding of supporting people to make their own decisions wherever possible. We reviewed 3 mental capacity assessments and 1 best interests’ assessment. Records were detailed and followed the Mental Capacity Act, including risks, benefits and less restrictive options. People’s wishes and involvement in decisions were clearly recorded, and forms were signed and dated. One person’s record showed no impairment, so a full assessment was not needed.

Staff had received training in the Mental Capacity Act and mental health and demonstrated a good understanding in practice. One staff member told us, “I do not assume they lack capacity, always working within the principles of MCA”.