Treasuring Care

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 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 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 ensured people’s care was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. The registered manager described a person-centred assessment process which involved the person, family members and other health professionals to understand support needs, risks and desired outcomes. They explained that detailed care plans and risk assessments were used to identify people’s needs and that regular discussions with people and their relatives helped ensure care remained relevant and responsive.

Records showed assessments were completed across key areas of people’s health and wellbeing.

The provider planned and delivered care in line with legislation, guidance and current good practice. The registered manager explained that care was guided by policies and procedures, care plans, risk assessments and relevant Care Quality Commission guidance.

There were clear policies and procedures in place, including medicines administration and infection prevention and control. The registered manager demonstrated a commitment to work alongside health professionals when needed. They told us, “Combining best practice, professional guidelines and our clients’ preferences will ensure we are delivering evidence-based care.”

The provider was committed to working with other services and professionals to support joined-up care and maintain continuity for people. Although the service had not yet needed to share information across different provider teams, systems were in place to support this when required. The service had a hospital discharge policy and discharge documentation to support safe transitions between services.

The registered manager described how they worked closely with family members to ensure information was shared appropriately and care plans were kept up to date. They explained that maintaining communication with everyone involved in a person’s care helped minimise disruption during changes to services or support arrangements.

The provider supported people to maintain their health, wellbeing, independence and quality of life. People’s nutritional needs were assessed and monitored through individual risk assessments. Records showed nutritional risks had been considered and reviewed to help ensure people received appropriate support.

The provider supported people to remain active and maintain independence where possible. For example, the registered manager described supporting the person using the service to attend an exercise class.

The registered manager explained that promoting independence was a core part of the service and said, “Supporting a client to do as much for themselves as possible is a start, while keeping them safe, respected and involved in all decisions.” They also described supporting people to continue going for walks and participating in activities safely in order to maintain confidence, wellbeing and independence.

The provider monitored people’s care to help ensure outcomes remained positive and support reflected changing needs. The registered manager told us regular observation formed a key part of monitoring care and identifying any changes in people’s physical or emotional wellbeing. They described how staff reported concerns promptly and used information gathered through observation to support early intervention where required.

The provider also monitored outcomes through care plan reviews, discussions with people and relatives, feedback mechanisms and accurate recording and reporting processes. Information from family members and care staff was used to evaluate progress and amend support where needed.

The provider explained, “Talking with individuals, asking if they feel their needs are being met, regularly reviewing care plans and meeting targets, are also great ways of monitoring outcomes.”

The provider respected people’s rights around consent and involved them in decisions about their care and treatment. There was a clear consent policy in place which outlined the process for obtaining informed consent before care was delivered. The registered manager described consent as an important part of assessment and care planning. They explained that people were involved in decisions about their care, routines and support arrangements and that consent was sought before care tasks were undertaken.

Records showed the person using the service had capacity to make decisions and was supported by their next of kin where appropriate. The provider said that building positive relationships with people and families helped ensure consent was gained and that people remained “empowered and in control of their own decisions.” We saw people’s care plans were agreed and signed by the person using the service.