Aaron Court Care Home

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

Responsive – this means we looked for evidence that the provider met people’s needs.At our last assessment we rated this key question inadequate. At this assessment the rating has changed to good. This meant people’s needs were met through good organisation and delivery.

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 was working towards ensuring people were at the centre of their care and treatment choices and they did not always work in partnership with people, to decide how to respond to any relevant changes in people’s needs.

The home manager had focused on supporting staff to work in a person-centred way. Ongoing improvements were being made and embedded, including ensuring people’s care plans were accurate, and staff understood all aspects of their needs and wishes. For example, it was noted in a person’s care plan they did not wish to have assistance from male staff. However, staff were not aware of this preference. The home manager agreed to review this further.

The provider understood the diverse health and care needs of people and their local communities, so care was joined-up, flexible and supported choice and continuity.

Staff worked with commissioners and other stakeholders to review people’s care needs and ensure they received continuity of care when needed. As part of the services development, they were working to promote community-based links and engagement.

The provider supplied appropriate, accurate and up-to-date information in formats that were tailored to individual needs.

The provider had an accessible information policy and people's communication needs were assessed, including the level of support they required. Care plans contained guidance on the level of support they required, including any sensory impairments, such as visual impairment.

Information about the activities on offer were displayed in communal areas. Staff also shared this information verbally with people, to take account of differing communication requirements. They had developed a newsletter, and shared information about the home, including "What's new" updates.

The provider made it easy for people to share feedback and ideas, or raise complaints about their care, treatment and support. Staff involved people in decisions about their care and told them what had changed as a result.

Relatives told us they were kept updated and felt communication had improved. People said the manager was approachable and encouraged feedback. Resident and relatives’ meetings had been introduced, a relatives’ representative appointed, and surveys arranged to gather feedback. There had been no recent formal complaints, however, staff had received some compliments.

The provider made sure that people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it.

Staff took steps to improve people’s access to other services. For example, a relative told us they were extremely pleased that staff had arranged and supported their relative to attend a dental appointment. In addition, the home manager described how they had supported a person to better understand a health procedure by providing information in a way they could understand. This enabled the person to feel able attend the medical appointment and access the treatment needed.

Staff and leaders actively listened to information about people who are most likely to experience inequality in experience or outcomes and tailored their care, support and treatment in response to this.

The provider was refurbishing the home and had involved their dementia lead; to help ensure the environment was more suitable for people living with dementia. There was some signage to help people find their way around the building, and people's bedrooms had been personalised to reflect their preferences and help them feel at home. There was also an accessible garden.

People were supported to plan for important life changes, so they could have enough time to make informed decisions about their future, including at the end of their life.

Staff had received training in end-of-life care. Nursing staff had also attended workshops with the local end of life partnership to support good practice. Further training and development was planned.

Care plans included information about people's wishes for their future and end of life care. During the inspection, staff took a caring approach to a person who was receiving end of life care, ensuring they were not left alone.