Ultimate Homecare Ltd

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 71 (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.

People’s needs were assessed before they received care from the service. One relative told us, “They (registered manager) came out to meet me and [Name] and look at their surroundings and get to know them, and what they like and don’t like. It was quite in depth but not invasive, they were very, very thorough.”

The registered manager told us initial assessments were always completed face to face and involved the person’s network of support. Assessments were used to develop care plans which were reviewed every 6 months, or sooner if a need was identified, to ensure they remained relevant and effective. Staff told us they were informed of any changes in people’s assessed needs.

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’s policies, for example in relation to medicines management and safeguarding, referred to legislation and best practice guidance and were reviewed regularly to ensure they remained reflective of national standards.

Where it was part of their care package, people were supported and encouraged to maintain a balanced diet. The registered manager understood the importance of good nutrition and hydration in managing people’s medical conditions and maintaining their health.

Staff received training so they had the knowledge and skills to provide safe care. One staff member told us they enjoyed the training and commented, “If I was a bit uncertain, I could go back and the training was not rushed." The registered manager explained that if people required specialist healthcare, they liaised with relevant professionals to ensure staff had the knowledge to provide effective care. The registered manager understood the requirements for the management of delegated healthcare tasks.

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people.

Staff completed records of the support they had provided during each care call and described communication across the small staff team as being effective. One staff member told us, “Our notes are telling a story of what has happened during that call. If anything were to go wrong, we can see exactly what happened during that call. If there is anything you are writing in your notes that is a concern, you highlight it immediately to the office." However, we were not able to assess the effectiveness of written records as they were not made available to us during our inspection.

Where a need was identified, the registered manager worked in partnership with other healthcare professionals, including specialist nurses and social workers to support people to remain in their own home.

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.

Where required, staff supported people to arrange their healthcare appointments. One relative told us, “It is amazing, I didn’t expect them to do half the things they do, like making appointments if [Name] needs the dentist.” Another relative told us how the assistance they received from Ultimate Homecare Ltd supported both their own and their family member’s health. They explained, “They are a big support for me as well in all honesty. I know they’re there to support [Name] but they also support me and help keep me healthy, which helps [Name] get the best support possible.”

The registered manager told us they encouraged people to remain active to support their physical health and emotional wellbeing.

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 monitored people’s presentation to identify any changes in their health. One relative told us their family member had a medical condition, but specific checks had to be carried out before a referral to a specialist health professional could be made. They explained, “There have been 2 obvious times where they (staff) have been concerned about [Name’s] cognition, and they have gone above and beyond to do tests for an infection.”

Staff understood what action to take if they had any concerns from monitoring people’s health.

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

People receiving care from the service at the time of the inspection were able to make their own day to day decisions about their care. Staff understood the importance of giving people the best opportunity to make their own decisions and seeking their consent. A staff member told us people had capacity to make their own decisions, but would escalate concerns if, for example, a person was consistently declining assistance with personal care.

The registered manager understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 if it was felt people's capacity to make decisions impacted on the care and support needed to keep them safe.