St Aidans

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. The provider was looking at introducing a more robust recording system to assess and review people’s needs. Information in relation to the care provided to people on each shift was detailed and updates following stays was shared with relatives after each visit.

There was evidence that people and or their representatives were involved in the development of care records. Relatives that we spoke with confirmed this. One said, “They talked about care planning, at the beginning it is all very good.”

Staff confirmed the care records contained information about how to support people, and information and updates were shared in handovers and prior to admission. One said, “All assessments are read before supporting an individual. Assessment and review officers (senior care staff) complete the individual’s profile and reviews.”

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 food 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, “They puree his food. We are [A religion], so [person] has Halal food, they manage it well”, “We are [A religion] so not pork and beef, they do take care of things like that” and, “I do ring in the evening and ask what [person] has eaten etc. [Person] is a good eater, not fussy but needs it chopped into small pieces.”

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 was taking place. This supported people’s needs, choice and aspirations. Professionals were positive about the service and the work they did to support people. They told us, “St Aidans have offered support to our service by being a place of safety and comfort when needed” and, “I have worked in partnership with St Aidans; particularly with [staff member] for approximately one year, and the experience has been consistently positive.”

Relatives confirmed professionals were included in the assessment process and during transitions into the service.

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.

Staff supported people in a positive way, encouraging healthy options and choices in their lives. We observed staff knew where 1 person was unwell and took action to ensure family members were informed and health advice obtained. Partners told us about their positive experiences working with the service. One said, “I have visited St Aidans on several occasions. Feedback from both our staff and the service users who have attended has also been consistently positive. Throughout my visits, I have always found the other staff present to be very helpful and professional.” One partner discussed the process of initial assessment for people would benefit from being timelier to enable people to access respite care quicker.

Feedback from relatives was that the service had undertaken assessments and regular reviews took place prior to a visit. This would ensure any changes in people’s conditions was discussed with staff to ensure their needs could be met. One said, “They know [person] well and they can meet their needs. Anything new I can ring them and up and they will listen.”

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 provider told us this would ensure they were able to support people’s needs appropriately and in line with their life choices. 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.

People’s individual health needs were recorded in care records. Staff told us, “Every guest has a personal profile which highlights any health conditions they have, and every aspect of their care needs” and, “Before someone comes in an assessment reviewing officer (senior staff member) will call family to check if there are any changes and call on the morning (of the planned respite visit) to check they are well.”

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. We discussed with the management team about how they ensured people’s rights were protected in line with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty safeguards (DoLS). They told us they were linking in with relevant professionals to ensure DoLS applications were undertaken and in place where these were required for people accessing respite care. Staff told us and records confirmed training in MCA and DoLS had been undertaken. Policies and guidance were available to the staff team in relation to MCA and consent.

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. A relative said, “I am sure we signed forms in the past.”

Records in relation to people capacity assessments had been completed by the assessing authority in relation to the person accessing St Aidans short break service.