Chimnies Residential Care Home

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.

The registered manager or an experienced staff member completed a pre-admission assessment which covered a range of areas, including physical health, risks, communication, personal preferences and support needs. Where people experienced a hospital admission or a significant change in their health, their needs were reassessed to ensure care continued to meet their requirements.

People and, where appropriate, their relatives were involved in planning and reviewing their care. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of people’s individual needs, preferences and communication requirements. Assessments and care plans reflected people's current needs and provided staff with guidance on how to support them effectively.

Staff told us information about new and prospective residents was shared with them to help ensure continuity of care. One staff member said, “With person XXX moving in, we were all asked to look at the care plan which explained their preferences and wishes when they moved into the home.” Another staff member told us, “As you get to know residents, you learn and sense what would work with that person and how to support them.” Staff also described how they supported people's communication needs, with one saying, “Then you get the gist of things, and you can check back with them that you understand what they want/need.”

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 provider used recognised assessment tools and monitoring charts, including weight monitoring, bowel charts and constipation charts, to identify and respond to changes in people's health. Where people were at risk of weight loss, additional support was provided, including weekly weight checks, high-calorie diets and referrals to dietitians.

Information about people's dietary needs, including the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework where required, was available to staff. Fresh fruit and drinks were available throughout the day to support people's nutritional and hydration needs.

People were generally positive about the food and told us they were offered choices. Comments included, "The food is good," "All very good. No complaints," and "There are two main dishes, or you can ask for a jacket potato, or an omelette, or toast. There is an alternative menu in the dining room on the wall. It's good." Although, some people suggested that a wider choice of meals and greater variety in the menu would further improve their experience.

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.

Records demonstrated involvement from a range of health and social care professionals, including GPs, district nurses, dietitians and specialist services. Recommendations from healthcare professionals were incorporated into people's care plans and shared with staff to support continuity of care.

Where changes in people's health or wellbeing were identified, referrals were made promptly to appropriate services.

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 had access to a range of healthcare professionals and staff supported them to attend appointments and access treatment. One person told us, “I think my health needs are met. The doctors come in every week and the chiropodist comes in.” Another said, “The optician comes here every two years. The dentist is close by, but I haven’t needed it yet. The doctor comes in. The chiropodist comes in.”

Records showed professional recommendations were followed, including the use of food supplements, weight monitoring and referrals to specialist services where required. During periods of hot weather, staff encouraged people to drink regularly to help maintain hydration and reduce the risk of deterioration.

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.

Staff completed daily records and used monitoring tools to track people's health and wellbeing, including weight monitoring and bowel charts where required.

Information was shared during handovers to ensure staff were aware of any changes in people's health. For example, staff discussed people at risk of constipation and monitored bowel movements to identify concerns promptly and take appropriate action. Where changes were identified, care records and monitoring plans were updated, and referrals were made to healthcare professionals when required.

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

Staff sought people's consent before providing care and support and we observed staff asking for people's permission before assisting them. Care records reflected people's preferences and choices and demonstrated that consent was considered as part of care delivery.

Where people lacked capacity to make specific decisions, appropriate Mental Capacity Act assessments and best interest decision records had been completed. People's relatives and relevant professionals were involved in decision-making where required to ensure decisions were made in people's best interests.

These arrangements helped ensure people's rights were respected and that care and treatment were delivered in a way that promoted choice, independence and person-centred care.