Bluebell Manor

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 previous inspection, 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.

Assessments and care plans were completed using an electronic care management system. A health and social care professional described a care plan developed by the service as high quality and person-centred. They told us it reflected the person’s needs sufficiently for them to build on the existing plan rather than develop a separate one. People and relatives told us they were involved in assessments and care planning. A relative said, “I am involved with their care plan and notified of any changes.”

Staff delivered people's care in line with recognised standards and best practice guidance.

People were supported to meet their nutritional needs in accordance with their individual needs and preferences. We observed the lunchtime experience. Staff supported people with their meals, promoted choice and independence, and provided assistance where needed.

People spoke positively about the meals. A person told us, “The food is nice, there is always a choice. We get fresh fruit if we want.” The provider worked with an external foodservice supplier to support the quality and development of the food and dining experience. They stated, “In summary, I have seen a huge improvement in the food offering at Bluebell Manor since I last visited, along with better staff understanding of residents’ needs, along with more engagement from the catering team.”

Staff supported people’s oral health in line with recognised guidance. An external dental professional described how staff followed a preventative oral health programme in line with recognised guidance. They described staff as a “wonderful team” who were “prompt to call should any resident have difficulties.”

Management staff provided case studies which demonstrated how staff worked with people and health professionals to understand and respond to behaviours associated with distress and used personalised approaches to support people’s wellbeing.

The provider ensured staff, teams and external professionals worked effectively together so people experienced coordinated care and did not need to repeat their needs or preferences.

Staff handovers, team meetings and supervision sessions supported effective communication, information sharing and continuity of care. A staff member told us, "There is good teamwork among colleagues and everyone works together to ensure that residents receive safe, person-centred and high-quality care."

Health and social care professionals provided positive feedback about working with the service. Comments included, “Staff have been helpful with my assessments with the residents and aided implementing care plans to support meet their needs” and “We manage care on a team approach.”

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control.

Staff worked with GPs, specialist nurses, mental health services, opticians, dentists and podiatry services to help ensure people's health needs were identified, monitored and responded to appropriately.

People's wellbeing was promoted through opportunities to pursue their interests, maintain relationships and remain active. For example, a person showed us an area of the garden where they enjoyed growing and caring for flowers. The management team also shared case studies which showed how personalised support, access to equipment and technology, and partnership working with healthcare professionals had improved people's independence, wellbeing and engagement in daily life.

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve outcomes.

Staff monitored various aspects of people’s care in line with their individual needs. Information from accidents, incidents and audits was reviewed to identify themes, inform learning and identify where changes to care or practice were needed.

We read and heard examples of how living at the home had improved people's wellbeing and quality of life. During our visit, we saw a person enjoying hula hooping and showing us an area of the garden where they grew flowers. Staff recognised the importance of music to people’s wellbeing. We observed people responding positively to music, including smiling, singing and moving along to the music.

Most feedback about people's experiences and outcomes was positive. However, a small number of relatives felt there could be greater opportunities for social engagement for some people living at the home to support their wellbeing and quality of life.

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

Staff sought and recorded consent in line with legal and regulatory requirements, including the Mental Capacity Act. Consent records were maintained to demonstrate people's decisions and preferences. Where people had capacity, they were supported to make their own decisions. Where people lacked capacity, processes were followed to ensure decisions were made in their best interests and in the least restrictive way.