Helping Hands Godalming

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.

Care plans and risk assessments were detailed, person-centred and reflected people’s health conditions, abilities, preferences, routines and desired outcomes. Records included guidance about mobility, falls, skin integrity, continence, nutrition and hydration, medicines, communication, personal care and environmental risks. Staff had clear instructions about monitoring people, recognising deterioration, escalating concerns and obtaining healthcare advice. Assessments promoted people’s independence and dignity, including guidance about sensory needs, gluten-free dietary requirements and completing as much personal care as possible independently.

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.
Staff used structured assessments to identify and manage people’s health risks. These included a Braden assessment, which is an evidence based assessment tool to predict a person’s risk of developing a pressure injury. They also used nutrition and hydration assessments, moving and positioning assessments and delegated needs assessments for catheter and pressure area care, nutrition and hydration assessments, moving and positioning assessments and delegated needs assessments for catheter and pressure care.
 

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.
Care records included referral pathways and instructions for obtaining healthcare input when people’s health or needs changed. There was consistency between assessed needs, risks and planned care in relation to mobility, skin integrity, catheter care and medicines. Staff said they could contact the office for advice when they encountered an unfamiliar concern and described raising concerns so that the office team could advise or act. One staff member recognised possible stroke symptoms and contacted the emergency services promptly. This demonstrated that staff understood when people required support beyond the service and acted to obtain appropriate healthcare assistance.
 

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.
Staff were instructed to monitor changes, report concerns and seek healthcare advice when required. Care was planned to maintain people’s abilities, such as encouraging them to complete parts of their personal care independently and supporting safe mobility. Staff also described positive outcomes, including supporting a person to regain their ability to walk after leaving hospital.
 

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.
Care plans and risk assessments included monitoring requirements for skin integrity, mobility, nutrition and hydration, catheter care and medicines. Records gave staff clear guidance about signs of deterioration, reporting concerns and seeking professional advice. Care planning promoted outcomes important to people, including independence, emotional wellbeing, meaningful activity and continued relationships. Care records showed people experienced improved confidence, mood, engagement and community connections as a result of personalised support.
 

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.
The records reviewed showed people’s consent, capacity and choices were considered as part of care planning. One person’s records contained documented consent for care and information sharing. Care plans described how staff should involve people in their support, respect their preferences and encourage them to complete tasks independently. Risk assessments balanced safety with people’s right to make choices and maintain control over their daily lives. Records also identified where a person had a lasting power of attorney, so staff understood who could be involved in relevant decisions. Staff guidance promoted dignity, choice and the least restrictive approach while providing the support people needed.