London Care - Brighton

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 last assessment we rated this key question Requires Improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to 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.

Previous areas requiring improvement identified at the last inspection had been met in respect to the detail of information recorded in people’s care plans and people being involved with their care. People and their relatives told us they were involved in the planning and reviewing of their care. Peoples’ care records showed their individual needs had been assessed, in line with their choices and wishes. Assessments were regularly reviewed and kept up to date. Care records contained detailed guidance for staff to follow. A relative told us, “They contact me to see if everything is alright.” Feedback from staff and leaders confirmed people’s needs were assessed and reviewed regularly. Staff told us they were involved in reviewing people's care and that the person was fully involved too. The registered manager told us, “We make sure we can meet people’s needs. We won’t take a care package on if we can’t. We want the care to be safe.”

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.

Previous areas requiring improvement identified at the last inspection had been met in respect to recording and managing people’s nutrition and hydration needs. One person told us, “They prepare food that I like, they do cereal in the morning, microwave meal at lunch, sandwiches and cake at teatime. I don’t like to eat anything before I go to bed, but they do me a Horlicks. They leave my drinks within reach as I can only use my right hand.” We received feedback from staff and managers which demonstrated people were supported in line with their needs, including their nutrition and hydration needs. Staff told us people's care plans were kept up to date to include their current needs, how these were to be met and desired outcomes. Staff told us they assisted people to access the support they needed from other professionals and services. Processes were in place which showed people’s needs had been identified and continued to be reviewed.

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.

Previous areas requiring improvement identified at the last inspection had been met in respect to communication between the service and professionals. We received positive feedback from people and professionals. An external professional told us, “Communication from both staff and leadership is timely, and open, which reflects an organised operational approach. The team demonstrates a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities, and they engage appropriately with external professionals when support or clarification is needed.” People told us they received consistent care and support from staff who knew them well. One person told us, “They are very good with their times and do stay for their full time, sometimes longer. They shower me and put in my eye drops. I get the same two for continuity, so we are all in a routine and it’s best for me.”

Feedback from staff and leaders confirmed they were involved in people’s care planning and support. A member of staff told us how information was shared amongst the relevant professionals, to help maintain good continuity of care. Staff completed daily records for each person detailing their progress and significant or important events. Processes were in place to ensure people were referred to healthcare professionals when needed. The provider worked effectively with other agencies to ensure transitions of care were co-ordinated and as seamless as possible.

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.

Previous areas requiring improvement identified at the last inspection had been met in respect to care planning, risk assessments and guidance for staff. Staff understood their role in supporting people’s health and well-being. They supported people with physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Processes were in place to enable people to make informed decisions around their own well-being needs. People were supported to make better and healthier lifestyle choices, for example, healthy eating and maintaining their independence. A health professional told us, “I believe London Care – Brighton maintains a strong focus on safety and delivers care that generally meets people’s needs. Staff demonstrate commitment to person centred practice. While no service is without challenges, any issues that arise are usually addressed promptly and constructively.”

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.

Previous areas requiring improvement identified at the last inspection had been met in respect to people’s care plans containing details around their outcomes and goals. People experienced positive outcomes and had planned goals for the future. We saw examples of people who had been supported to access the local community again, maintain their personal care independently and prepare their own food. Feedback from staff confirmed people’s care and progress were monitored. Staff were knowledgeable and supportive of people's goals and wishes. Processes were in place to ensure people’s outcomes were monitored, and any changes were implemented. This was evidenced in people’s care plan reviews.
 

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

Previous areas requiring improvement identified at the last inspection had been met in respect to the detail of information recorded in people’s care plans around consent and best interests. People understood their rights to make decisions and said they were asked for their consent to any care and support before it was provided. People told us they were never asked to do anything they didn’t agree to. One person told us, “They always announce themselves when they come in, so I know who it is. They do what I ask.”

Feedback from staff and leaders confirmed they provided care in line with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), and how information was provided to people in a way they understood. Staff confirmed they had completed MCA training. They understood decisions could only be made on behalf of the person in line with the MCA. Staff told us they always asked for consent from people before providing any care and support. Staff knew to escalate any concerns about people's capacity to make choice and decisions, for example if they felt a person had made an unwise or unsafe decision or refused essential care. Capacity assessments were in place in people’s care records. People’s capacity to consent was regularly assessed to ensure they understood any decisions around the care and support needs.