Dignity Residential 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 79 (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 ensured people’s care and support was effective by completing comprehensive assessments of their health, wellbeing, care and communication needs. Systems were in place to make sure people’s needs were fully assessed prior to admission

People’s needs and preferences were clearly assessed and recorded. Assessments considered people’s strengths and included relevant information about physical health, emotional wellbeing, communication needs, relationships, and how people wished to be supported to make choices.

One relative said,” We are very much involved in [relative’s].The manager came to see us at home and asked lots of questions. Any risks and mental health issues were holistically discussed very thoroughly. Yes, we get regular reviews or if mum needs a change. Then, it’s as and when for care plan reviews.”

People’s care plans were based on assessments and were regularly reviewed. Staff demonstrated a strong understanding of people and could clearly describe their individual needs, routines, and preferences. While this knowledge was evident in practice, care records would have benefitted from further person centred information such as people’s life histories, personal choices, and preferred ways of being supported, to strengthen consistency across the service.

Staff told us they were well informed about people’s assessed needs and understood their roles and responsibilities in meeting these. They explained how they were kept up to date when people’s needs changed, ensuring care and support remained appropriate and responsive.

People and/or their relatives were actively involved in the assessment and support planning process. This helped ensure care plans reflected people’s individual preferences, promoted choice and independence, and were reviewed regularly to respond to changing 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’s risks of pressure damage and malnutrition were assessed using nationally recognised tools. This included the Waterlow score for skin integrity and the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) for monitoring weight. People were weighed regularly, and staff sought medical advice when there were significant changes in dietary intake or weight. Staff were given training and updates to help ensure they understood the current standards of care to support people effectively.

Lunch time was an organised and a pleasant experience for people. The weekly menu was available in the dining room. People were offered drinks and snacks in-between meals and had access to a hydration station, where they could help themselves to drinks. People told us meals were nice and commented they had plenty to eat and drink.

The provider always worked well across teams and services to support people. They shared thorough assessments of people’s needs when they moved between different services, so people only needed to tell their story once.

The service made referrals for people where additional support was required. The service met regularly with the local GP practice to share and review people’s health. Where people required medical appointments, the service liaised with family and other health professionals and ensured a multi-disciplinary approach was followed. Feedback from visiting health and social care professionals was very positive. They told us, “Staff really get to know the people they support and care about them as individuals. They are quick to notice if someone is not feeling well or if their health changes, and they respond straight away.”

Relatives were positive on how staff worked with health professionals. One told us, “We have trust in the staff team and the care they provide.” A staff member told us that communication is very good between the staff team, and they keep each other up to date with changes.

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 exceptionally well to live healthier lives, access healthcare services and support. Staff worked in partnership with families and professionals and advocated strongly for people, to ensure people had access to optimal healthcare. This focused, person centred approach ensured people had access to appropriate health treatments and prevented

admission to hospital.

People were supported to eat a healthy balanced diet. One relative said, “ [My relative] loves the meals and has a good appetite and eats everything. There is afternoon tea and biscuits. People can have anything they want. [Relative] has goats’ milk and goat’s butter. The home gets it for [Relative].”

A range of meaningful activities were available to keep people occupied and reflect their individual interests. People and family members spoke positively about the range of activities available within the home. One person said, “We have sing‑songs a lot and that is lovely. I used to be in a church choir, so I enjoy the sing‑songs.”

One relative said,” Oh yes, [relative] loves the activities. They do keep fit, dominoes, card games and bingo. There is a singer comes on. I don’t think they take people out.” Another family member said, “I’ve seen [relative] play bingo, bean bags and hoops. [Relative] likes to do things to occupy their mind. Like hoopla. They have a singer come in. The home has been doing exercises with them.”

Staff 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.

Staff were able to clearly describe how they monitored people to ensure their wellbeing and safety; because staff knew people well, they were proactive in identifying any change in people’s needs or presentation.

A healthcare professional that worked with the service said, “Staff are good at picking up any deterioration in people’s health and acting on it straight away.”

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

The registered manager and staff were aware of their responsibilities in respect of consent and involving people as much as possible in day-to-day decisions. Staff were aware that where people lacked capacity to make a specific decision then best interests would be considered.

People were involved in making decisions about their care. The provider ensured people's best interests were considered and worked to minimise the use of restrictions. The views of others such as representatives and health professionals were recorded.