New Treetops

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.

Care records were detailed and demonstrated how to support people’s individual needs, according to their likes and wishes. Information in relation to the care provided to people on each shift was detailed and updates following stays were shared with relatives after each visit. One relative said, “They have a communication book, so I get to hear all about their stay.”

There was evidence that people and or their representatives were involved in the development of care records. Relatives said, “We had a personalised care plan which was formed and approved by myself, so it is much like at home.”

Staff confirmed care records contained information about how to support people, and information and updates were shared in handovers and prior to admission. One said, “We have detailed care plans and are always learning and adding to them. Families have a blank form so they can add to it too.” One relative said, “They even know he loves his tea and they always welcome him with a cup which is a nice touch.”All assessments are read before supporting an individual.

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.

Care records included information about people’s meal choices and how these were provided, according to their needs, including assessed needs. We saw people were being provided with a meal they chose. People indicated to us they liked their food and we saw people thoroughly enjoying their meals. Menu plans had been developed, staff told us they worked alongside people to discuss what they would like to eat, and people were encouraged to take part in cooking and in the preparation of meals, where appropriate. Supplies of varied foods were seen in the service.

Relatives were positive about the meals provided to people and took account of people’s individual dietary and cultural needs. They said, “Meals are done in relation to their likes and dislikes but they also encourage people to try things they might not at home which is good.” A range of information and evidence-based guidance was available to ensure people received up to date care according to best practice.

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.

Detailed assessments and planning prior to short term placements were taking place. This supported people’s needs, choices and aspirations. Professionals were positive about the service and the work they did to support people. They told us, “I know people at New Treetops are going to be in good hands. Management can be flexible when invariably things need to change at short notice” and “Transition to the service was excellent. There was close consultation and respite is working really well.” One person had never been away from home, but the service adapted and the parents were very pleased it had been a success.

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.

Records included information about people’s medical needs, relevant professionals involved in their care and treatment and how to link in with them. Staff told us if people required, relevant health professionals were involved in reviews and assessments, and information was shared with them during shift handovers. For example, one person’s speech therapist had visited the service to train all staff in the person’s particular needs.

Staff supported people in a positive way, encouraging healthy options and choices in their lives. Relatives said staff knew if a person was unwell and felt confident staff would take appropriate action to ensure family members were informed and health advice obtained.

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.

Assessments of people’s health needs was undertaken as appropriate. Reviews of people’s needs was ongoing both during and prior to stays. Relatives and people were involved. The acting manager told us this would ensure they were able to support people’s needs appropriately and in line with their life choices and goals. Staff told us they would link in with relevant health professionals such as the GP if this was required whilst people were staying with them. One professional spoke of the acting manager’s ‘can do’ approach, meeting with people and their families to take time to consider how needs, including health needs, could be met to make respite work for them.

People’s individual health needs were recorded in care records. People were supported with their oral care needs and staff had access to guidance which included a national oral health care toolkit to support good oral care for people.

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

Information about ensuring consent was obtained was detailed in policies and guidance. Consent was recorded in people’s records for medicines administration. Staff asked permission before undertaking any care or activity. We observed staff asking for consent from people before undertaking any activity and knocking on doors and waiting to be invited into rooms. Records in relation to people’s capacity assessments had been completed by the assessing authority in relation to the person accessing New Treetops short break service.