Aran Lodge

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. This is the first assessment for this service. This key question has been rated good. This meant people’s needs were met through good organisation and delivery.

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 service made sure people were at the centre of their care and treatment choices and they decided, in partnership with people, how to respond to any relevant changes in need. Care plans and risk assessments were regularly reviewed with people to ensure they remained relevant to preferences and wishes for care. We saw where adjustments to people’s care was needed the registered manager took prompt action. For example, making sure people had the correct equipment to support their needs such as adjustable beds, wheelchairs and hoists.

The registered manager told us they reviewed people’s care with them and made adjustments when needed.The registered manager told us, "A malnourished person gained weight and improved health after moving in and a person who came in needing full-time care and moved into sheltered accommodation after the life changing care they received.We also worked closely with a person's GP and family when they came in confused and distraught her to personalise their care, and they are now doing puzzles, putting washing on the line, and helping our residents in the home."

The provider gave other examples of how people's independence and quality of life improved as a result of the personalised care and support provided by the service.

The service understood the diverse health and care needs of people and their local communities, so care was joined-up, flexible and supported choice and continuity. The registered manager enabled people to access the correct healthcare provisions for them in the local community. Reviews were supported with funding authorities, and the registered manager provided all the information required to social workers completing the assessments.

The service supplied appropriate, accurate and up-to-date information in formats that were tailored to individual needs. The service meets the requirements of the accessible information standard by identifying and recording people’s communication needs. People were provided with information in formats that suited their needs, and staff frequently reviewed their communication needs with them. When people began living at the service, they are provided with information about the home through a service user guide. The service user guide was also available in an audio format to supporting people's communication and information needs. People had opportunities to discuss their needs and preferences with staff who kept this information up to date for all staff to understand. A person told us, “They have pictorial menu’s so I can see what I want to eat by looking at the pictures. Nothing is too much for them.” A relative told us, “They have communication tools for my loved one who is non-verbal.”

The service 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. Feedback from people was also gained during surveys and reviews of their care needs and preferences. People told us they were confident if they raised concerns or a complaint they would be listened to. The registered manager had systems in place to investigate and respond to any complaints received. The wellness manager met with each person on a daily basis to speak to them and to keep them involved in their day-to-day decisions.

A relative told us, “Aran Lodge recently had a relative’s day with a BBQ which had been a good idea. We were also given the opportunity to provide feedback about the service.”

The service made sure that people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it. People were supported by staff to access all their health appointments and follow up appointments when needed. Care plans were person centred and provided guidance on how to support people to have equal access to services by supporting their, mobility, communication and health needs.

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. Staff had received training in the Equality Act and advocated on people’s behalf to prevent discrimination. Staff supported and empowered people to challenge decisions on their care if they did not agree with those decisions. This included supporting people to access independent advocates who could support them with making challenges to their rights under the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty safeguards.

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 discussed with people how they wished to be supported at the end of their life. We saw care plans were detailed and individualised to how people wished to be supported when they were dying. Where people had made decisions on resuscitation and funeral plans this was clearly recorded. Relatives’ views had been taken into account and their wishes were also recorded. Following the assessment the provider told us they worked closely with the local hospice to support people with end of life care.