Bourne House Nursing 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 newly registered service, following a change of 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 and those important to them.

People's care plans contained personalised information about their needs, preferences and wishes. Risk assessments were in place and reviewed for areas including nutrition, bed rails, and pressure sores. Staff told us they used an electronic care planning system to understand people's needs.

The registered manager explained that people's needs were monitored through the provider's electronic care system and monthly reviews were undertaken to assess changing levels of dependency and required support. Where people's needs increased, staffing levels could be adjusted to meet these needs. Healthcare professionals told us residents' care needs were appropriately assessed and that the service worked proactively with other professionals to support people with complex health and nursing needs.

Relatives consistently told us staff understood their family member's needs. One relative said, "I think the staff there are very good." Another told us, "The nursing and caring are very good.”

The provider delivered care and treatment in line with current legislation, standards and evidence-based guidance to achieve effective outcomes for people.

Care records demonstrated the use of recognised assessment tools and clinical monitoring processes. Risk assessments were completed and reviewed for areas including nutrition, falls, pressure care and swallowing difficulties. Staff had access to specialist training, for example, syringe driver training delivered by community healthcare teams.

The service worked to ensure people's nutritional needs were met. The chef received regular updates regarding dietary requirements and recommendations from the clinical lead.

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.

The provider worked effectively with other teams and services to plan and deliver joined-up care that met people's needs. Staff described positive and established working relationships with a range of health and social care professionals. Staff told us these professionals were accessible when required and supported good outcomes for people. We observed staff working together to support people’s care.

Healthcare professionals spoke positively about the service's partnership working. One told us, "Communication between the home and external agencies has generally been timely and professional, which contributes to effective care planning and continuity of care." They also said the management team was, "Approachable, responsive, and willing to work collaboratively with external professionals to ensure residents' needs are met effectively."

Relatives also described effective partnership working. One relative told us staff attended hospital appointments and participated in consultant discussions to ensure care remained coordinated and responsive to changing needs.

The provider supported people to maintain and improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

People had access to healthcare services and specialist support when needed. The service worked closely with healthcare professionals and ensured people could access reviews, treatment and specialist advice.

Relatives described how staff encouraged people to remain active and independent. One relative told us, "They encourage my [relative] to do what [they] are capable of without assistance but are there if [person] needs them."

Relatives were also positive about nutrition and hydration support, with many commenting positively on the quality and choice of food available. One said, "They are very hot on drinks, and my [relative] always has a big jug of squash and a beaker in their room."

The provider monitored people's care and treatment and used information to identify opportunities to improve outcomes.

The service had systems to review care delivery and monitor risks. Falls were recorded and analysed to identify trends and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Healthcare professionals told us the service demonstrated a willingness to respond to concerns and work in partnership with other agencies to achieve positive outcomes for people.

Relatives described how concerns and suggestions were acted upon. One relative said, "We raised a couple of things, and they were dealt with immediately."

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

The provider supported people to make decisions about their care and treatment in line with legislation and guidance. The provider had systems in place to support compliance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Records showed processes were in place to monitor compliance with legal requirements relating to consent and capacity. For example, we found that covert medicines were given lawfully with appropriate documentation and healthcare professional involvement. Covert medicine refers to giving people a medicine without their knowledge or consent, usually through hiding it in food or drink when it is in their best interests to do so.

Staff received training in relation to consent such as the Mental Capacity Act, and policies relating to consent and confidentiality were available to staff.

Staff demonstrated an understanding of supporting people to make choices wherever possible. During our lunchtime observation, staff sought people's consent before providing support and encouraged independence. People were offered choices about meals and drinks and staff supported people at a pace that reflected their needs.

Relatives gave positive examples of staff seeking consent and involving people in decisions. One relative told us, "I have been there and seen them explaining things to my [relative] before they go ahead and do anything." During our observations, care staff treated people with dignity and respect and involved them in decisions about their care wherever possible.