Sycamore Grove 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.

This service is dual registered, 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 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.

Records showed an assessment of people's needs had been completed before they moved into the home. People’s care needs were continually assessed and reviewed. Relatives confirmed they were involved in care reviews and kept updated regarding any changes or concerns.

Care plans contained detailed guidance to inform staff on how to meet people’s specific health and support needs.

Staff took the time to get to know people. When someone moved into the service, we observed staff take time to help people settle into their new surroundings. People responded positively to staff and staff could tell you about and anticipate people's needs.

Nationally recognised assessment tools were used to identify risk, for example to monitor skin integrity and pain, with specific tools used for people living with dementia to identify risks of depression and wellbeing. Concerns were escalated quickly and acted on. Support from specialist teams was sought when required.

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 and support needs were regularly reviewed with staff seeking specialist advice when appropriate. Staff worked alongside health professionals to ensure people’s needs were met. The provider had mandatory training courses which staff were required to complete to ensure their practice reflected current guidance.

Nutritional needs were assessed and reviewed and meal choices were offered. We observed people being shown both meal options served on plates to assist them in making a choice about what they wanted to eat. Care and kitchen staff were aware of people’s individual dietary needs, and we saw these were being met.

People had the choice to eat their meals in dining areas or in their rooms if they preferred. We saw people choosing to sit in small groups and mealtimes were a sociable event. Meals looked appetising and snacks and drinks were available throughout the day. The chef told us that people could make requests and they would do their absolute best to provide what people wanted. We saw alternative food options being provided for people at their request.

Relatives told us., “Kitchen staff are very welcoming and were happy to cook something different for [relatives name] when she was struggling with meals. There were always treats and various options on offer to encourage her to eat. I ate at Sycamore several times and found the food very tasty.”

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.

Staff work together well as a team. We saw examples of staff supporting each other at busier times of the day to ensure people’s needs were consistently met. The registered manager and staff worked collaboratively with other professionals to ensure care was co-ordinated and holistic.

Professionals told us staff followed their recommendations to ensure people’s support was personalised to their individual needs and provided in line with best practice guidance. Feedback included, “Staff are highly vigilant regarding pressure area care and other needs. They are receptive to clinical advice and guidance, implement recommendations appropriately, and keep us informed of any significant changes in residents' conditions.”

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.

Relatives told us people’s health and wellbeing were supported by staff, health issues and infections were identified promptly. One said, “They do monthly blood pressure, temperature, weight checks and if residents are unwell this is daily to keep a check.”

People had individual plans in place to manage their health conditions, this included input from a range of different health professionals to meet their needs. One health professional told us

“Staff demonstrate excellent knowledge of the residents. If there is any information they are unsure of, they promptly access their records system and provide the required information without delay.”

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.

There was robust healthcare monitoring overseen by management, this included infections and increases in care needs. Weights were monitored and any issues or concerns referred appropriately. People with specific health needs, for example urinary catheters, staff carried out regular checks to monitor for any concerns or risk of infection.

Daily notes were detailed and person centred. Care reviews were completed monthly and more frequently if any changes were noted by staff. Audits of accidents and incidents were routinely completed, enabling the registered manager to identify patterns and implement appropriate actions to improve outcomes for people.

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

Staff worked in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act to ensure people’s rights around consent were met. Relatives confirmed they had been involved in decision making for people that could not make decisions for themselves.

People were involved in choices and decisions and were supported to spend their time how they chose. We saw many examples of staff asking people for consent before providing care and support and offering choices. People told us they spent their day in the way they chose and staff supported them to remain as independent as possible.