The Callywhite Care 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. At our last assessment we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to good.

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 did not always make sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

We identified some shortfalls in the recording of people's bowel movements. As a result, we could not be fully assured that people's health was always being monitored as effectively as possible in this area. This placed people at risk of harm as information was not recorded accurately. The registered manager acknowledged this and provided assurances that additional auditing systems were being implemented to strengthen oversight and ensure bowel monitoring records were completed consistently and reviewed appropriately.

However, the provider used appropriate clinical assessment and monitoring tools to support people's health and wellbeing. For example, food and fluid monitoring charts and weight records were maintained where required. Where people had experienced weight loss or were identified as being at nutritional risk, the service had taken appropriate action, including increasing the frequency of weight monitoring and making referrals to relevant healthcare professionals for specialist advice and support. The registered manager also completed monthly audits of people's weight records to provide oversight and ensure any concerns were identified and addressed promptly.

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 plans contained detailed, person-centred information about people's nutritional and hydration needs, including any identified risks, health conditions and requirements for enhanced monitoring.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of people's dietary requirements and how these should be met. This included care staff and kitchen staff, who were knowledgeable about people's specific needs and preferences. Where people were at risk of choking and required modified food textures, these needs were clearly understood and catered for appropriately. Where people required puréed diets, we observed meals were prepared in a way that remained appetising and presentable, helping to promote dignity, choice and a positive mealtime experience.

The provider utilised nationally recognised assessment tools to identify and manage risks to people's health and wellbeing. For example, the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) was used to assess and monitor people's risk of malnutrition, enabling staff to identify concerns such as weight loss and implement appropriate interventions at an early stage. The Waterlow Assessment Tool was also used where required to assess a person's risk of developing pressure ulcers, supporting staff to implement preventative measures and maintain skin integrity.

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 registered manager described positive and well-established relationships with a range of external professionals, including district nurses, chiropodists and local NHS services. This collaborative approach helped to ensure people received timely access to specialist advice, treatment and support when required.

The provider worked closely with primary healthcare services to monitor and respond to people's changing needs. The registered manager told us the local GP conducted a ward round every two weeks, providing regular oversight of people's health and wellbeing.

Staff communicated effectively with one another to ensure people's care remained consistent and responsive. Daily handovers were completed, providing opportunities for staff to share important information about people's health, wellbeing and support needs.

Relatives spoke positively about the communication they received from the service and told us they were kept informed about significant events affecting their loved ones. This included updates following medical appointments and where there had been any changes or deterioration in people's health. Relatives felt involved and reassured that staff maintained regular communication and sought to keep them informed about matters affecting their family members.

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.

People's oral health needs were appropriately assessed and recorded within individual oral hygiene care plans. Where people required support with oral care, staff recorded the support provided to ensure their needs were consistently met. The registered manager maintained oversight of this aspect of care through regular monthly audits, helping to ensure records were completed appropriately and that people received the support they needed to maintain good oral health.

The provider also had effective systems in place to support people with specific hydration needs. Where healthcare professionals had recommended prescribed fluid intake limits, these were clearly documented within people's care plans. Staff closely monitored and recorded people's fluid intake to ensure guidance was followed and people's health needs were managed safely.
 

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 offers a range of opportunities to promote people's wellbeing, independence and social inclusion. Activities included visits from live singers, quizzes, photograph-sharing sessions and chair-based sports activities, helping people to remain engaged, develop relationships and participate in activities that reflected their interests and preferences.

Care plans were regularly reviewed to ensure they continued to meet people's needs and support them to achieve their desired outcomes. Reviews considered changes in people's health, wellbeing and personal goals, enabling care and support to be adjusted where necessary. This helped to ensure care remained person-centred and responsive to people's changing circumstances.

Relatives were actively involved in the review process and told us they were consulted about their loved one's care and support. Their involvement helped to ensure important information was captured and that care continued to meet people's needs and expectations.
 

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

Where people were deemed to lack capacity to make specific decisions, appropriate mental capacity assessments had been completed. Records showed these assessments were decision-specific and considered the area of care or support being discussed. Where people were assessed as lacking capacity, best interest decisions had been undertaken, involving relevant professionals and others who knew the person well to ensure decisions were made in their best interests.

People and their relatives told us staff consistently sought consent before providing care and support and respected individuals' choices. This helped people maintain control over their day-to-day lives and ensured care was delivered in a way that reflected their wishes and preferences.

During our inspection, we observed staff asking for people's consent before supporting them with tasks and explaining what they were doing in a respectful and reassuring manner. Staff gave people time to make decisions and responded appropriately to their verbal and non-verbal communication.