HomeLink Healthcare Limited

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 good. At this assessment 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 provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

People told us they were involved in assessments and compiling their care plans and risk assessments. People said their care and support were regularly reviewed and their care plans were updated if changes were needed. A person who used the service said, “I do have a care plan. It’s here and I can look at it whenever I want to, but I don’t because I trust them implicitly with what they are doing”. Another person told us, “I’m aware of a care plan. It sits with the staff, who look at it every day. The staff have responded accurately to my care needs”.

A physiotherapist explained how people were assessed whilst still in hospital and then again once they were at home. They told us, “When they [people] come home, I go to see them and assess. We have a chat, look at their mobility and identify any areas they are struggling with. Being in their home environment helps [people] massively.”

A member of staff told us, “We ensure all patients have a face-to-face assessment before they go home and that staff have the right information to treat people at home.”

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 specific needs were clearly recorded within their care plans, which meant staff had accurate and up to date information to meet people’s needs.

People told us they could discuss their care and support with the staff and make adjustments where necessary. A person who used the service told us, “The physiotherapist made a plan with me for the outcomes. I am not unhappy with anything and am making good progress. My goal for the future is to get up my stairs and to use the bathroom there.” Another person said, “They have supported my foot very well and have helped me in every stage of the healing process”.

Staff completed appropriate training and had access to relevant policies, procedures and guidance. This supported them in their roles and helped ensure appropriate working practices were followed.

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 communicated effectively with each other, as well as with other health and social care services, to promote continuity and make sure any changes in people’s health were identified quickly and responded to.

A member of staff told us they shadowed a physiotherapist for a month, so they could help some patients with their physiotherapy sessions. The staff member added, “I’ve been trained on all the exercises.”

A person who used the service told us, “I feel the communication is very good between the hospital and the staff who look after me now”.

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 told us that the staff team(s) supported them well and helped them to access other healthcare professionals as and when needed.

A person who used the service told us, “They never rush things, but they encourage me to do what I can myself to help me with my rehabilitation”.

Another person said, “I am looking forward to the end of this wound. I am happy they [staff] are helping me with this goal.”

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.

Senior staff and leaders carried out regular quality assurance spot checks. These helped make sure the care and support people received was safe and being carried out to a good standard. Staff also told us there was regular information sharing throughout the service to help make sure people’s needs continued to be met the way they wanted and needed.

People told us they were regularly asked for feedback and could talk to someone in the office at any time. People said they felt comfortable and able to speak up if they had any concerns about anything.

A person who had been using the service told us, “I used them for 2 weeks and cannot praise them enough. They certainly made improvements.”

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

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and said they had completed training in this area. Records we looked at confirmed this. Staff told us they obtained people’s agreement before undertaking any tasks. A member of staff explained, “I make sure I have a good understanding of each person’s care and needs. I ask them for consent to do their treatment, then I carry out the care.”

People who used the service told us staff asked for their consent before doing anything.