Minchenden Lodge

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• 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 assessed people’s needs to ensure care and support were delivered effectively. Relatives told us staff had a good understanding of people’s health requirements when they first moved into the home. One family member said, “The transition was good, they knew all the medical requirements from the hospital.”

Relatives also described being involved in discussions about ongoing care and being informed when people’s needs changed. For example, staff contacted families following GP visits and when further monitoring, such as blood tests, was required. Care plans were used to guide staff in supporting people and were updated where necessary to reflect changes in people’s care and wellbeing.
 

The provider delivered care in ways that reflected people’s individual needs and recognised good practice, particularly when supporting people living with dementia. Relatives described patient and reassuring approaches from staff, which helped people feel settled and reduced distress. One relative said staff were “really good at managing challenging residents [people who may display behaviours that challenge or have complex needs requiring additional support],” and understood how to respond to changes in behaviour.

Relatives also told us staff supported people’s nutritional needs by providing freshly prepared meals and encouraging regular food and drink intake. Some relatives described how staff sought input from healthcare professionals when changes in people’s health were identified, such as arranging GP appointments or further assessments.
 

Staff worked together to ensure people received coordinated and consistent care. During the site visit, we observed staff communicating with each other when supporting people and responding promptly when assistance was required. Staff demonstrated awareness of people’s needs and provided support in a calm and organised way.

Relatives described effective communication with the service and said they were kept informed about changes in people’s wellbeing. Relatives commented on the positive and open communication displayed by the management team “it is very honest and open”.

Another relative said, “Whenever I come in, there are always staff around helping residents.”

Relatives also described how staff worked with healthcare professionals to support people’s needs, including providing updates following GP involvement or medication changes.
 

Staff supported people to maintain their health and wellbeing. Relatives told us staff monitored changes in people’s condition and worked with healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate support was provided when needed. This included arranging GP involvement and referrals for further assessment where required. One relative explained, their family member’s “weight is now consistent,” and felt this reflected the support provided by staff.

Relatives also described how people were supported to access services such as chiropody and routine health reviews. During the site visit, we observed staff offering drinks regularly and encouraging people to eat at mealtimes. Although structured activities were not always evident, we observed staff spending time with people in the lounge and communal areas. Staff provided reassurance, including sitting alongside people and holding their hands where appropriate, and engaged them in conversations about their life experiences. This approach showed staff cared about people’s wellbeing.

Where appropriate, staff worked with relatives and other professionals involved in people’s care to ensure people received the support they required.
 

The provider reviewed people’s wellbeing and the support they received to ensure their needs continued to be met. Relatives described noticing positive changes in people’s condition after moving into the home. One family member told us, “[Person’s] verbal skills improved within a week,” and said that whenever they visited, “[Person] is in good shape.”

Relatives also spoke positively about the overall standard of care and said they felt confident people’s needs were being monitored. During the site visit, we observed staff remaining attentive to people’s comfort and responding promptly when reassurance or support was required. Information about people’s wellbeing was shared with families to help ensure care remained appropriate.
 

The provider sought and respected people’s consent when delivering care and treatment. Staff supported people to make choices and respected their preferences. Relatives described how people were involved in decisions about their daily routines and support. One relative said, “They talk to [my relative] rather than me, they wanted [my relative’s] views,” which showed staff recognised the importance of involving people directly in decisions about their care.

Relatives also told us staff used patient approaches when people were reluctant to accept support. One family member explained their relative “would refuse showers, so they have to use persuasion,” and felt staff understood how to respond appropriately. Others described how people were supported to make everyday choices, including what to wear or whether to take part in activities. During the site visit we observed staff offering choices at mealtimes and supporting people in a calm and unhurried manner.

The provider worked in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff demonstrated an understanding of the need to assume capacity and support people to make their own decisions wherever possible. Where people lacked capacity, appropriate assessments and best interest decision-making processes were in place to ensure decisions were made in a way that respected people’s rights.