Avon View

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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 inspection we rated this key question good. At this inspection 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 service made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

Assessments considered people’s general health, medical history, dietary needs and preferences, and people’s communication needs to maximise the effectiveness of their care and treatment.

People and their relatives told us they had been involved in assessments of people’s needs and creation of their care plans. A relative said, “We review and agree to the care plan.”

Assessments were up-to-date and routinely reviewed. Staff told us they understood people’s current needs.

The service 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 and relatives were complimentary about the food and drink at the service. Comments included, “The kitchen team are very accommodating”, “The food is very good. Better than when you are at home, they give us options too”, and “Since being at the service we have noticed that [the person] has gained weight and is looking healthier.”

People’s nutrition and hydration needs were assessed. Their dietary preferences were recorded in their care plans and known to staff. People were referred to the SALT team. SALT support with providing assessment of swallowing or communication difficulties for people with medical, neurological and surgical conditions.

The service 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.

Care plans had information about people’s health conditions and these were updated to reflect people’s changing needs. The service used an electronic care planning system and staff told us this made information easily accessible. One staff member said, “There is a Doctor ward round every Tuesday and if we see any trouble, we do contact the GP or directly.. Doctors are involved in people’s care.” Another staff member told us, “I speak with healthcare professionals on a daily basis for the residents, I speak with the GP, hospital, physio, dentist etc, they are usually very helpful.”

Where appropriate, relatives told us they were kept informed and involved in their family member’s care. A relative said, “All the staff I have met are very aware of [person’s] health needs and on discussions provide information and also know how to access other health care providers if required.”

People confirmed staff contacted external health professionals as required. A person said, “(Staff contact) paramedics and GPs whenever the need arises.” A relative told us, “Full reports are routinely sent to us, and we are made aware of any new medical conditions.”

Health and social care professionals were complimentary about the service working effectively with them. A professional said, “I have found the registered manager to be very kind and person-centred in their approach. They are thorough and will do their very best to achieve positive outcomes for the person.”

The service supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. The service supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.

The service had effective working relationships with a wide range of health and social care professionals whose input was recorded on the electronic system used by the service. The information was also recorded on people’s care plans and easily accessed by staff.

A dentist visited the care home to check residents’ teeth, helping to identify and address oral health needs. This proactive approach supported people to maintain good dental hygiene, which contributed to overall health and wellbeing.

The service 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.

Staff used the electronic care planning system to monitor people’s health daily. Care plans were person centred and detailed people’s clinical needs in relation to their health conditions. Care plans were reviewed monthly and updated to show changes in people’s needs and staff were aware when things changed.

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

Staff told us they understood the MCA and the importance of consent. One staff member said, “When people lack capacity, I follow the principles of the MCA which state that support is given in a safe, respectful, and legally compliant way and I must ensure that I document everything clearly.” Another staff members told us, “In my role, the MCA is essential for ensuring that the rights, choices, and freedoms of people in our care are respected.”

Records showed MCA assessments had been completed for individual decisions. People’s care was planned in their best interest in the least restrictive way and in consultation with those important to the person.

Where necessary, people with legal authority or responsibility can make decisions within the requirements of the MCA. The provider had a robust system to ensure they had a record and an overview of who can lawfully act on person’s behalf.