The Dunes

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 inspection we rated this key question good. At this inspection the rating has remained good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good.

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 service made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.The service ensured people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. The registered manager told us the process of a new person moving in. This included meeting them face to face and creating a person specific transition plan. If the person had specific health needs, the provider would source staff relevant training before the person’s admission to the service and liaise with healthcare professionals. People’s care needs were routinely reviewed and associated documents, such as care plans, were updated.

The service 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 were kept informed and involved in their care.People’s nutrition and hydration needs were assessed and met. When required, people were referred to the speech and language therapist (SALT). SALT undertake assessments of swallowing or communication difficulties for people with medical, neurological and surgical conditions. Care plans included information about people’s allergies and intolerances and this was known to staff. We observed food and drink being prepared in line with people’s swallowing requirements. Staff supported people in a person-centred way and ensured they had access to food they liked. Some people were independent with their food and staff supported them to retain their independence.

The service worked well across teams and services to support people. They made sure people only needed to tell their story once by sharing their inspection of needs when people moved between different services. Relatives told us information was shared appropriately, for example with the GP, nurse or pharmacist. Staff had access to the information they needed to assess, plan and deliver people’s care, treatment and support. The service used an electronic recording and planning system. This meant people’s information was easily accessible to staff. Care plans had information about people’s health conditions. Health and social care professionals’ visits and conversations were recorded on the service’s electronic system. A relative said, “The staff are brilliant at speaking with healthcare professionals, they will call a doctor for any problem no matter how small. [Person’s] health is of the upmost importance to the service. They keep us updated and make us aware.” The service understood the importance of working with external agencies and how partnership working resulted in positive outcomes for people. A health and social care professional said, “I get timely requests for input.”

The service supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. The service supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. People were encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle but also the life they wished to live. People were supported to see healthcare professionals when required. People were helped and guided to make healthier dietary choices to promote and maintain their health. When possible, people were empowered and supported to manage their own wellbeing needs. Staff understood people’s needs and preferences. The service had effective working relationships with health and social care professionals. A health and social care professional said, “Health and medication are responded to well by staff.”

The service 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 service told us how people’s general health and wellbeing had improved whilst living at The Dunes. Staff monitored people’s health daily and knew how to escalate concerns if people’s conditions changed. Staff confirmed they knew people well and worked as a team to achieve positive outcomes for them. The service held monthly meetings which looked at a variety of information. This supported people’s care, and outcomes were discussed with the senior staff to identify any actions requiring follow up. Overall, feedback from healthcare professionals was positive. Professionals said the service worked well with them and had good knowledge in some areas. The service had a key worker system in place. This meant a dedicated staff member who knew people well, reviewed their care plans and outcomes.

The service told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. People were treated with respect and supported to live their lives how they chose. Staff had received training in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA), understood the MCA and the importance of gaining consent. Consent was sought from people where necessary and in accordance with the MCA. Where appropriate, relatives had been involved in decisions made on the persons behalf. A clear process was in place to carry out MCA assessments where required. Records showed MCA assessments had been completed for individual decisions. These were audited and reviewed regularly.