Yourlife (Taunton 2)

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 firstassessmentfor 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.

People’s needs were assessed before care packages started, and care plans were reviewed regularly or when needs changed. The registered manager described a proactive approach, “We try to get to people before they reach crisis point”. Reviews were scheduled and documented.

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.

People's care records mostly reflected that care was delivered in line with current legislation, standards and evidence-based guidance to achieve effective outcomes. Information was available to staff in relation to people's nutrition and hydration needs and support required to meet oral care needs where required. As previously mentioned, some improvements were needed to ensure consistency in providing staff with information about supporting people with some of their medical conditions.

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.

Records showed liaison with GPs, district nurses, and external care providers. Staff described open communication and daily handovers. Managers maintained links with local surgeries and community teams.

One relative commented; “[Registered manager] emailed me with concerns about [person’s] health, and we talked it through”.

A healthcare professional told us; “Communication is always transparent, and any requests are handled with professionalism and efficiency.”

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.

Staff and the management team worked collaboratively with health and care professionals and supported people to live healthier lives and access healthcare services as required. Care plans included information about nutrition, hydration, oral care, 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.

Information was also available for staff in care records in relation to people's desired outcomes and the planned support to achieve these.

The management team were very knowledgeable about each person's individual needs and were aware without delay when any needs changed. They worked closely with the person, their representative, staff and health and care professionals to provide appropriate care and support to meet needs. They were focusing on preventing for as long as possible, admissions to care homes or hospital.

One relative told us; I think [person’s] physical health has improved, and that’s down to the service.

Success stories were shared with us, highlighting good outcomes from people because of the support the service provided. For example, for 1 person with steady, positive support, their falls and distress significantly reduced, and structured daily routines helped manage certain needs, allowing them to remain content and avoid residential care.

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

Staff and leaders were aware of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and they knew what action to take if they saw a decline in a person’s ability to consent. Care records included information related to people’s mental capacity and each plan was signed by the person, confirming consent.
One staff member said: “It's very important that you let the [person] consent to what they want done, as it is their choice. I would do this by checking their care plan of what they have put in place. Then ask them before I do something.”

Care records included information about people’s Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) status and lasting power of attorney.

Some improvements were needed in relation to how decision specific consent was recorded in relation to medicines management. For example, including in care documentation, the reason why people chose that staff supported them with administering and manging their medicines.