Emsworth House Care Home with Nursing

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 requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to 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.

Pre-assessments were carried out before people moved to the service so they could be sure they were able to meet the person’s needs. One person said, “Staff look after me well and I am comfortable.” Staff told us they were kept informed about new people moving to the service and said they had access to care plans. Relatives felt their loved ones needs, likes and dislikes were known by staff.

People’s needs were kept under review. For example, when one person appeared to be requiring a higher level of support, they were supported to move to a new room with more specialised equipment. Staff were also receiving additional support and training to help them understand and meet this person’s needs.

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.

Staff used recognised tools to identify people’s risk of malnutrition and to assess the risk of pressure sore development. Where concerns had been identified, more frequent monitoring and support was in place. Concerns were escalated quickly and acted on. Support from specialist teams was sought when required.

Systems were in place to ensure people who required their food or drink modified to minimise their risk of choking received appropriate support. We observed staff delivering support in line with their training and received positive feedback from a Speech and Language Therapist who told us, "All IDDSI levels (a global framework that provides a common and consistent terminology for describing texture-modified foods and thickened liquids for people with swallowing difficulties) are as expected. Communication with the home is really good.”

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.

People’s needs were assessed, recorded and regularly reviewed. Information was shared effectively within the team and with visiting professionals. Staff and professionals worked in partnership. This had delivered results for people through improved understanding and support. For example, one person who had been resistant to care was now accepting support to shower and bath.

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 told us they were able to see a doctor and gain support from other healthcare professionals when required. Records confirmed input from a wide range of other professionals to support people’s health and wellbeing. Visiting healthcare professionals spoke positively about the care delivered. A GP told us, “The staff are proactive and so is the manager. Staff follow advice.” A mental health professional praised the team for their support of a person saying, “I think you have done and continue to do an amazing job looking after and understanding [Person’s] needs. I feel [Person] is settling in well; you should all be very proud of yourselves.”

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 needs were kept under review. Records were audited to identify changes, for example if a person was using their call bell more frequently. This enabled staff to engage with a person and, if appropriate their relatives, to adapt their care. Where needed, input from external healthcare professionals was sought in a timely way.

People were asked for their feedback individually and in group meetings. People had made suggestions for changes to the menu and shared ideas on how they would like to spend their time. Updates were provided, including via a quarterly newsletter.

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

Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to mental capacity and consent and people had the right to refuse care. We observed staff asking people’s permission before providing support throughout our visits.

Decision specific assessments and best interest decisions had been completed where required, in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). There were clear processes in place to carry out MCA assessments and clear documentation in relation to specific decisions. We saw evidence care was planned in people’s best interest, in the least restrictive way and in consultation with others, when required. Plans detailed all the options explored, including how the person was supported to contribute to the decision.