Albury Care Limited

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.

People’s needs were assessed prior to any packages of care being agreed. This meant leaders could make sure they had the staff available and capacity to meet people’s needs. The registered manager said they would assess people wherever they were, this could be in hospital for example. They said, “I meet with the person and their family and try to find out as much information as possible.”

The information from assessments was used to start the care plans and there was a formal review every 6 months or sooner if needs changed.

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 told us they kept up to date with legislation and good practice standards. Changes in ways of working were cascaded down to staff where appropriate. The service used nationally recognised tools to assess people’s needs and risks. For example, the service used an evidence-based tool to assess the risks of developing pressure ulcers.

People’s nutritional needs were identified and if needed guidance was available for staff to support people to eat safely. If staff were concerned, they referred people to the GP or other professionals such as Speech and Language Therapists. The registered manager told us staff provided nutritional support to people in various ways. Some people needed full support with meal preparation whilst others needed snacks and drinks left out for them.

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.

Leaders liaised with a range of healthcare professionals. People’s care records demonstrated there was effective and timely communication with professionals such as people’s GP, occupational therapists or speech and language therapists. Feedback from professionals working with the service was positive. One professional told us, “I feel confident and reassured working alongside Albury Care and have no concerns.”

Staff communicated well with each other and with leaders at the office. Any changes to people’s needs were shared in a timely way so staff were updated. People and relatives said there was good communication amongst office staff and care staff. One relative said, “They [staff] are good team workers, and I suspect this comes from the harmonious team in the office.”

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’s health needs were assessed and recorded in their care records. Staff had training and guidance on a range of health conditions such as dementia and diabetes. One person said, “They [staff] are familiar with my medical problems and tell me to rest if I there is a problem. Nothing slips their notice.”

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 and relatives said they were very happy with the care they received.

People’s care records demonstrated staff were following risk management plans and had the information they needed to make sure people experienced positive outcomes. The registered manager told us if people needed any monitoring for their health this was organised. Guidance would be added to people’s care plans and staff informed on what was needed and how often.

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

Staff were provided with training on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and understood the principles. One member of staff told us, “I encourage people to make their own day-to-day decisions and remain as independent as possible. I support them to do as much as they can for themselves while providing assistance when needed. This helps them maintain confidence and control over their daily lives.”

Care records demonstrated leaders were mindful of people’s rights and abilities to make their own decisions where possible. If people lacked capacity, leaders followed the principles of the MCA.