Lifeways Community Care (Exeter)

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 79 (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, well being and communication needs with them. The provider had a clear process in place to assess people's needs before they moved into their house or flats. Once an assessment was complete the provider would use this information to set up a care plan. Care records showed that needs such as communication, personal care, mobility, food/hydration and social needs were assessed, amongst other areas. Each need was then regularly reviewed and updated accordingly. People and their relatives were involved in the care and review process. Care notes reviewed showed these needs were being met as outlined in care plans. People could be confident that their well being was a priority.

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, if a person was on a specialist diet due to risks of harm, the provider involved a specialist team, for example we noted a speech and language therapist was involved in care planning for some individuals. The provider was aware of and used up to date nationally recognised guidance when planning care and support for people. Care notes reviewed showed that staff followed all recommendations made by specialist teams except in the case where a person choose not to follow that recommendation. Information was documented in people’s care plans. Overall people could be confident that they would receive support from experts.

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. The provider had a clear and effective process in place for transitions. When people moved into the service there was a full and comprehensive assessment carried out. Care plans and reviews were done regularly so information was always up to date. When a person went into a different setting, for example admitted to a hospital setting, a hospital passport with all the relevant information was handed over to the medical team. This meant the person did not have to repeat their history as it was clear in the hospital document. This also meant the medical team could have a greater understanding of a person’s needs straight away. This was particularly useful when a person lacked capacity or did not communicate verbally.

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. Staff prompted a healthy lifestyle. For example, people were encouraged to eat well and take exercise. People were encouraged to take part in social activities. People had access to health care professionals when needed. One relative said, “Meal planning is crucial to prevent weight loss. A nutritionist and doctor have been involved”. People had health checks prompted by staff when required. This meant people and staff could keep an eye on any developing concerns and have them addressed quickly.

The provider monitored all people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they fully met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. All care plans reviewed without exception had clear outcomes and progression was evident. The provider had involved people and relatives in decisions about care and what people wanted to achieve. Some people wanted to be more independent, the team put in place some additional support around technology and this has helped a person maintain their independence. In another case, the team put in place some additional technology and a white board communication system. This supported a person to be more independent, and they became more active and engaged more with the support team as a result. Clinical outcomes for people were well documented and monitored. Goals and aspirations were in detail and teams were working with people to achieve these. This meant people could be confident that they could achieve the things they wanted to and live a full life.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. The provider had a clear process in place for obtaining consent before delivering care and support to people. Where people lacked capacity to make decisions a mental capacity assessment was complete. Following on from this if required a best interest meeting would be held to support the person in making a decision. Care records reviewed showed all documentation was up to date and accurate. Staff were observed asking people for consent before they offered care and support. Staff were kind and patient when interacting with people. Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This meant people could be confident that their wishes and preferences would be considered when a best interest decision was made on their behalf.