Alva Healthcare Ltd

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 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 71 (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. Prior to people commencing the service, a pre-assessment was completed. This allowed time for the provider to decide if they could meet the person’s needs. Following the pre-assessment, people remained involved in any reviews about their care and support to ensure their current needs were met.

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 plan documentation included people’s dietary preferences, nutritional needs, and hydration status. Regular monitoring was documented, and any changes in appetite or fluid intake were promptly addressed in line with best practice.

 

The provider did not always work well across teams and services to support people. They did not always share their assessment of people’s needs when people moved between different services. The provider had no formal handover records to demonstrate good communication. The management team acknowledged this gap and told us they were committed to implementing a structured handover recording system. This will ensure continuity of care and clear communication between staff. The provider told us they liaised with people, families and advocates to ensure people’s health needs were met. However, people’s representatives told us communication could be improved.

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. Care plans included information about people’s health and dietary needs and preferences. Staff supported people to access external professionals as required.

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. People and their relatives were involved in routine reviews of their care and support. Care plans were amended to reflect current needs. One support worker said, “We include people and relatives in their assessment and care planning by involving them and asking them to give input in their care planning.”

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. The management team and staff were knowledgeable about the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and worked in line with the guidelines. Where people lacked capacity, systems were in place to ensure decisions were made in people’s best interests. People and relatives told us staff were always considerate and involved them in decisions about their care. Staff told us they received training in this area. One support worker said, “I’ve done MCA (Mental capacity act 2005) training. It is directed to people who may lack the capacity to make decision for themselves. Also to ensure that these people’s rights are protected and that their decisions are made in their best interest.”