Dimensions Somerset Northmead House

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 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.

There was a process for assessing needs before people started to use the service. Relatives confirmed they were involved in assessments.

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 received care and treatment based on best practice guidance and professional advice.

Staff were aware of people’s health care plans, including eating and drinking plans and epilepsy protocols. Staff received regular training to make sure their practice was in accordance with up-to-date best practice guidelines and legislation.

Staff promoted healthy eating and adapted meals to meet individual needs, including dietary restrictions. Meals were home-cooked, and staff monitored hydration and nutrition. People were involved in choosing their meals. One person told us they emailed staff their meal choices before their stay. Another person told us the food was “Good.” One relative commented, “It’s good food. Homemade, not processed food.”

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 provided us with examples of how they worked with health and social care professionals to support people’s needs.

Relatives told us the staff team worked well together commenting, “They [staff] seem to get along together and work well.”

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 were supported to access the healthcare they required. This included visits from the district nurse team.

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’s needs were regularly reviewed which helped to make sure care and support provided led to good outcomes. People and their relatives were happy with the care provided. One relative told us, “We know [name of person] is very well looked after.”

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

Decision-specific mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions were in place. Staff demonstrated understanding of consent, and we observed people’s consent being sought before staff supported them. Relatives confirmed staff respected their family members choice. One relative told us, “[Name of person] uses their mobility to communicate and they [staff] respect their choices.”