Acorn Court 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 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.

The registered manager assessed people’s needs before they moved into the service to ensure the service could meet these. People’s needs were usually assessed in-person by the management team and once people moved into the service, assessments were updated to reflect current needs. Assessments included areas such as people’s health and social care needs and preferences, and communication needs.

People, their relatives and professionals were involved in the assessment process and contributed to decisions about how care would be provided. One relative told us, “We spent a lot of time discussing his situation. They asked about what he likes: it was really good. Nothing was too much trouble.” Another relative said, “[It was] really easy [and staff were] really good at showing us around. They were very accommodating. They meet [person’s] needs.”

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 and their relatives told us nutritional needs were met, and that they had a choice of meals, drinks and snacks in line with their preferences. We observed people were offered choices, and staff supported people to eat and drink in a person-centred way. One person told us, “I can ask for a drink whenever I want and they bring you one. The food is very good here, they give you a choice.” A relative commented, “I think the food there is exceptionally good. [Person] has plenty of choices. Food is a blended diet now, but they do know what [person] likes.”

Staff completed nationally recognised tools, such as the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) to assess people’s risk of unplanned weight loss and the Waterlow risk assessment to assess people’s skin integrity. Staff had completed nationally recognised training, such as in relation to learning disabilities and autism, and the environment was adapted appropriately for people living with dementia.

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.

People and their relatives told us care was coordinated and staff worked well with colleagues and external partners, including healthcare professionals and within the local community. One person told us, “They do what I need them to do.” A relative commented, “They work well as a team. Always someone around and they rotate the team. All the carers know each other. All in it together. They share information.”

Staff knew people’s needs well and shared information appropriately. Staff completed daily handovers to communicate changes about people’s needs and their plans for the day. One member of staff told us, “We get a handover from the [nighttime] nurse in the morning.”

Healthcare professionals told us staff worked well with them and took their advice on board. One healthcare professional told us, “We discuss any issues that may have occurred and reflect to see what has been learnt or if it could be done in another way, we also discuss staffing level, new admissions, discharges and support [or] signpost any training that may be required. I feel I have a good rapport with the staff and feel my visit is received as a positive outcome.”

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 and their relatives told us staff supported them with their healthcare needs and ensured they had access to a range of healthcare professionals, including dentists and opticians. A relative told us, “I know that staff organise things like doctor and dentist.” Another relative commented, “Acorn Court look after all that sort of thing and a chiropodist also.”

Care records showed advice from healthcare professionals was recorded, and feedback from healthcare professionals who were involved in people’s care confirmed staff followed their advice. One healthcare professional told us, “They’ve got all the right guidance.” Another healthcare professional said, “They are able to demonstrate a knowledge of residents’ needs and seek advice when they are unsure.”

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.

People and their relatives told us they felt confident staff monitored people’s health and worked with healthcare professionals and partners to achieve positive outcomes. One relative told us, “There is a doctor that comes round every Tuesday. I arrange the optician visits and recently she did need some dental work and they have just visited her.” Another relative said, “[Person] had an optician in recently and I have also had a form regarding dental treatment, so I know they are on top of things like that.”

Staff told us they used a variety of methods to monitor and improve people’s outcomes. One member of staff told us, “We do the observations, like blood pressure and record on [electronic care planning system].” Another member of staff said, “We monitor by checking, are they their usual self or not.”

Healthcare professionals told us staff worked with them, followed their advice and monitored people appropriately which resulted in positive outcomes for people. A healthcare professional told us, “Absolutely, they escalate well to keep out of hospital.” Another healthcare professional said, “Referrals are appropriate and made in a timely manner, with staff demonstrating good awareness of malnutrition and nutritional risk.”

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

People and their relatives told us staff sought consent from people and respected people’s decisions. One person told us, “They help me do whatever I want.” A relative said, “They know her likes and dislikes and respect her choices. Sometimes she likes to just have a duvet day, which they are happy to go along with”.

We observed staff asking for people’s permission prior to starting a task and daily notes included information on whether consent was sought by staff. Staff had undertaken relevant training and understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). The registered manager understood their responsibilities under the MCA and knew how to escalate concerns where required. Staff assessed people’s capacity when they had indications that the person may be lacking mental capacity. A member of staff told us, “We shouldn’t assume they don’t have capacity unless it’s been proved otherwise. They have a right to refuse, or if it’s in their best interest to have it, we try to leave, go back and try again.”