Epicare

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 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 71 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The service made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. Assessments were up to date, and staff confirmed they understood people’s current needs. People’s care needs were routinely reviewed. People told us staff understood their assessed needs. People using the service reported, ‘‘Yes, Epicare contacted me to talk about what [family member'] needs were in terms of care, they carry out regular visits and checks to ensure that everything is ok and that we're happy.” ‘‘Yes, I’m very involved in the planning and delivery of my care. I have regular conversations with Epicare management about this” and ‘‘I was impressed that Epicare staff came to meet [family member] and assess them and the home, they have always given [family member] choices and put them at the centre of the care and support. The package feels personalised to meet their needs. When they met us, they asked what we wanted and how they could assist”.

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. For example, for people with swallowing difficulties, staff were informed of their dietary requirements through their care plans, and appropriate referrals were made to Speech and Language Therapists (SALT). SALT practitioners are healthcare professionals who assess, diagnose, and manage swallowing difficulties. This ensured that specialist advice was obtained in a timely manner and that staff were supported with clear guidance to manage people’s needs safely and effectively.

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. Staff reported they had access to the information they needed to appropriately assess, plan and deliver people’s care, treatment and support. A member of staff told us, ‘‘Yes, I read the care plan, and my manager also briefs me on the client and risk assessment.’’ People informed us that staff had a clear understanding of their needs and provided appropriate support. They reported that the care they received was coordinated effectively.

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 encouraged and supported to make healthier choices to help promote and maintain their health and wellbeing. For example, staff supported people with eating and drinking, personal and oral hygiene. A family member told us ‘‘Yes, [family member] needs support at mealtimes, the staff will heat meals up, some preparation of simple snacks and support them with eating.’’

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. The provider had effective approaches to monitor people’s care and treatment and their outcomes. Care plans included information and actions to ensure people using the service were supported to improve and maintain their quality of life. This included supporting individuals to maintain or improve their mobility and build independence.

People's capacity and ability to consent was taken into account, and they, or a person lawfully acting on their behalf, were involved in planning, managing and reviewing their care and treatment. People using the service reported that their views and wishes were taken into account during the planning of their care, and relatives confirmed they were appropriately involved in decision-making where required. Staff had completed training in mental capacity to ensure they fully understood how to obtain consent appropriately and how to support individuals who may lack capacity. However, care plans did not always include signatures from people and their representatives as evidence that consent had been sought prior to the provision of care and support. The registered manager reported that action has been taken to ensure consent is appropriately documented and care plans are signed by people using the service and their representatives.