Woodlands 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 changed to outstanding. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently better than expected compared to similar services. People’s feedback described it as exceptional and distinctive.

This service scored 88 (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 always made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by thoroughly assessing and reviewing their health, care, well-being and communication needs with them. People’s needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. Care plans and risk assessments had been regularly reviewed to ensure they were up to date. Daily handovers and care notes ensured new information was passed on at the start of each shift. This meant staff were knowledgeable about people’s changing needs and knew how to support them well. One member of the management team said, “Each resident has a plan of care put in place this is compiled by completing an assessment on the resident before moving to Woodlands and it allows us to identify possible risks and if we are able to meet their needs. The care plan is a living document, and their journey may change. We can implement risk assessment as they require.” One relative said. “The care plan is definitely a 2-way process, and I feel comfortable asking questions or even making suggestions.” Another relative said, “[The manager] keeps us posted on things that are happening and I meet up with them to do care plan reviews occasionally or discuss if something has to change.” Another relative said, “The home are very good at keeping us (family) in the loop about what is going on with [family member] and ideas to make them comfortable.”

The provider always 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. They worked to develop evidence-based good practice and standards. People received person-centred tailored support at mealtimes and people enjoyed their meals in a calm relaxed environment promoting a positive and engaging mealtime experience. We observed the lunchtime meal being served in the dining room and saw it was a relaxed and pleasant experience for people. We saw staff knew people’s preferences for drinks, food and where they would like to sit for their meal. Staff offered people a choice of main courses and the food looked appetising and plentiful. Where people needed assistance staff provided it in a discreet and very patient manner. The service also offered a second dining space off an area known as the butterfly lounge. This offered a relaxed space where people who preferred a quieter dining experience could enjoy their meal. The home had recently been successful in achieving a gold award for their work and commitment to a hydration challenge. We saw snacks and drinks were made readily available and a hydration station which offered a variety of snacks and drinks appropriate to people’s individual needs and preferences. One visiting professional said, “The hydration station prompts people to eat and drink, and this makes a difference in people's care.”

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. Daily handover meetings took place between members of the management team, and staff to ensure people’s health and well-being issues were discussed and a plan of support put in place to meet people’s needs. All relevant staff could access information they needed to ensure care was delivered appropriately. Staff worked well with external professionals to ensure people received optimum care. One external professional said, “The communications are good between the practice and the home and whenever there have been issues (for example we had a problem at one point with emails from the home not reaching the practice) they have highlighted this in a timely fashion and shown due diligence in resolving the issue.”

The provider always supported people to manage their health and well-being to fully 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 healthcare professionals and staff followed their guidance and advice. Professionals visiting the service were complimentary about the staff and how vigilant they were in identifying and raising concerns quickly. External professionals were happy to visit the service and felt welcome to use facilities and have a drink and a snack. People had a professional visitors record which showed people had access to healthcare professionals as required. People we spoke with were confident that doctors and emergency services would be called when needed. One relative said, “When [family member] has to go for blood tests, they [staff] know to start [family member] on his blood thinning tablets before and the aftercare is excellent.” One external professional said, “They [staff] identify issues, I trust them enough to tell me if there is a problem, they have regular staff, they have regular staff that know the patients.” Another external professional said, “I have to say that I am generally very satisfied with Woodlands staff and how they collaborate with the doctors and extended medical team both here at the practice and with others such as district nurses, virtual ward, community mental health team and also the hospital is very positive.I have observed the home as being a supportive environment where the standard of care is taken very seriously and every effort is made to respect resident's independence, dignity and choice.”

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. We found several examples of how staff had supported people to improve their outcomes. One person moved into Woodlands Care Home and was struggling emotionally as they were missing their pet. The staff and leaders recognised this and set plans in place for them to move into the home together. This had a huge impact on the person’s whole well-being. Another person was previously prescribed medicine for diabetes. With support from staff their condition had improved and no longer required this medicine. One relative said, “A carer noticed that [family member] was seeming very disorientated a couple of weeks ago and checked for a [urine infection], but when that was ok, the home arranged for a GP visit and some temporary medication was organised which sorted it out.” Another relative said, “[Family member] had an operation on their leg which didn’t heal properly. The staff worked with the GP to identify the specific antibiotics that were needed and liaised with the district nurse who administered them. It was handled really well.” One external professional said, “[Management team] are very empathetic and keen to learn from our team about dementia, and the best ways to respond and interact with the residents. Throughout the time I have worked with [management team], they have consistently demonstrated a thorough knowledge base when it comes to the residents needs and always try to bring person centred care, incorporating their previous likes and dislikes and non-pharmacological interventions. [Management team] are passionate about avoiding sedative medications and are keen for these to be reduced wherever possible. [Management team] passes this passion and enthusiasm on to the staff and always advocates for the residents to ensure the best care. However, they work within their skill set and always take our instruction and advice when required.”

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People told us staff always consulted with them about how their care was delivered and respected their wishes. Care plans demonstrated that where people lacked capacity to make a decision, staff and relevant others had been involved in making decisions in people’s best interests. One staff member said, “We have resident meetings and each resident is always given a choice, and we always see their best interests as priority. Residents are always talked through their care and consent gained before doing anything.”