Hamilton Rest Home

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 provider. 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.

Before moving into the home, an assessment was completed to check if people’s needs can be safely met. This included people’s physical, emotional, and social needs. We were told information was also requested from family and health and social care professionals who may be involved. This information was used to develop the person’s care records. A review of people’s records showed these were regularly reviewed to ensure information remained relevant and up to date.

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 nutritional needs were met. Any changes in need were discussed with the GP and referrals made to other agencies, such as the community nursing team or dietician so further advice and support can be provided. Guidance provided was included within people’s support plans and shared with kitchen staff.

A review of training records showed staff had completed training in areas of healthcare in line with best practice, this included, nutrition and hydration, dysphagia texture modified diets, oral care and diabetes awareness.

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.

Staff said they worked with a range of health care professionals to help met people’s current and changing needs. The team had access to GP support, who would make referrals to other health care agencies, such as community nurses and speech and language therapists, where necessary. Additional, support had also been sought in relation to a community dentist and where people required assessment for moving and handling equipment. People and their relatives confirmed they had access to a GP, if needed. We were told, “The staff call the doctors for me“ and “They got a doctor for [person] as he was unsettled, seems better now.”

Staff said any changes in need were communicated during the shift handover as well as the group chat.

The provider supported people to manage their health and well-being 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.

Records were completed to help monitor and maintain people’s health and well-being. People were able to follow routines of their own choosing and encourage to participate in activities to help promote and maintain their independence.

Mealtime arrangements were organised and relaxed. We observed lunch served in the dining room. Tables were laid with cloths, and condiments available on each table. From our observations people were not always supervised and supported during the mealtime. Following our visits, we were informed mealtime observations/spot checks have now been introduced to monitor people’s overall dining experience.

People spoken to were complementary about the meals provided. A written menu was displayed on a whiteboard. Whilst this did not show alternative options available, people told us they were able to request something else if preferred. Comments included, “The meals are excellent. You can have a cooked breakfast, and you can have a cuppa when you want” and “The food is very good. I like the mash and vegetables. We have lamb, beef and salmon.”

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.

The provider was actively involved in the monitoring of the service and supporting the registered manager. Plans were in place identifying areas for improvement to further enhance the service. Staff spoken with said they were kept informed about improvements being made within the service.

Feedback surveys were distributed so people and staff could share their views or ideas about areas for improvement. One staff member commented, “I receive regular communication from my manager about what is happening at this company”. Other staff commented about wanting career progression. An action plan was in place to show what steps were being taken to support this.

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

Capacity and consent were considered as part of the care planning process. Where people were being deprived of the liberty, lawful authorisations were in place.

Staff had completed training in the Mental Capacity Act and understood the importance of seeking consent from people when offering support.