South Highnam

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 as 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 care and support needs were assessed prior to them moving to the service. Information gathered was used to create people's care and support plans. These clearly set out people’s needs and how they wished to be supported. Support plans were regularly reviewed and updated. Relatives told us they were involved in reviews.

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 service delivered care and support in line with best practice guidance. The registered manager monitored records relating to weight management, nutrition and hydration. Staff took photographs of people’s meals to give an accurate record of their intake. This enabled the service to make quick referrals with supporting evidence for healthcare professionals to utilise.

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

Staff worked well together to ensure people's needs were met. The registered manager told us they had a good working relationship with external healthcare professionals. Staff recognised changes in people’s needs and referrals were made in a timely manner. A healthcare professional told us, “Staff have good knowledge on the individuals in their care and most have been under their care for a number of years, therefore staff have established a positive relationship and understand their needs well.”

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.

Staff supported people to access healthcare professionals to manage their general health. They recognised the importance of oral health on people’s well-being and supported people to access the local dentist. People were supported to attend medical appointments and advice received was adapted into their care plans. A relative told us, “Staff take [family member] to his appointments and hospital trips.”

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 robust approach to monitoring the effectiveness of people’s care, treatment and action was taken to continuously improve it. Staff monitored and evaluated outcomes related to people’s health and quality of life. Staff worked with people to achieve established goals. The registered manager told us how 1 person had been supported to access social opportunities, building towards independence.

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

Staff supported people in all aspects of their daily routines. A staff member told us, “We offer choices in a way that an individual understands.” The registered manager talked passionately about the need to advocate for people, acting in their best interests when required to make sure people received appropriate care and treatment. Records showed people were supported by Relevant Person's Representative (RPR) when required. An RPR acts as an independent advocate and ensures the person's views, wishes, and rights are respected and protected.

A RPR told us, “The service collaborates with me – and I am made to feel that I am an important part of the lives of [People] I visit there.”