Eastbourne Gardens 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 Outstanding. At this assessment the rating has changed to 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.

Assessments and reviews were completed and information used to develop care plans for each aspect of people’s care. Care documentation was person centred and reflected people’s needs, including their physical and mental health needs.

Care plans included information on what and who were important to the person, their communication needs, likes, dislikes and preferences. As staff got to know people and spoke to relatives, care documentation was updated to ensure information remained accurate and included relevant information to inform staff. Staff used nationally recognised assessment tools to identity risk, for example, when assessing skin integrity and pain. Systems were in place to ensure assessment of needs were reviewed when needs changed.

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 and management had a good understanding of people’s needs and worked with other professionals in line with best practice. People’s care and treatment was reviewed regularly, with staff seeking specialist advice when required to ensure needs were effectively met. The provider had mandatory training courses which staff were required to regularly complete to ensure their practice reflected current guidance.

People’s hydration and nutrition needs were assessed and documented, these included individual preferences which enabled staff to support them effectively. We observed staff checking meals for people who had specific dietary needs to ensure these were being met. This included ensuring the meal consistency was correct. Meals look appetising and people told us they enjoyed the food provided. A number of meal options were available, alongside snacks and drinks throughout the day. People’s weight was monitored and any issues or concerns followed up appropriately. Kitchen staff were kept updated regarding any changes so that meals could be adjusted accordingly.

People had the choice to eat their meals in dining areas or in their rooms if they preferred. We saw that the majority of people chose to sit in the dining areas. Dining tables had been set, and we saw several people sat in small groups around tables. Drinks and assistance were offered to people throughout the meal.

People spoke positively about the meals, telling us the food was very good. Relatives said, “The food is quite good, we have eaten there ourselves and it’s quite nice, there are lots of nice soups and puddings.” “There is a 3-course lunch every day” and “The food must be good as they have put on weight, so it’s a great improvement.”

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.

Staff told us they worked together and shared information to ensure people received effective care and treatment. Relevant information and changes to people’s care needs were discussed during daily meetings and handovers.

The provider worked in partnership with external healthcare professionals including GP’s, tissue viability nurses, podiatrists, and mental health teams were involved in people’s care where necessary. All professional input was documented and incorporated into care plans.

Health professionals told us, “We have never had any concerns regarding care at Eastbourne Gardens, during our visits and contacts staff have always been helpful and prepared to work with us as a healthcare professional team.”

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 worked together well as a team. People had individual plans in place to manage their health conditions, this included input from a range of different health professionals to meet their needs. One health professional told us, “Communication always good with staff very good here they do take things on board.”

People confirmed they received support to maintain their health and wellbeing. Relatives told us people’s health and wellbeing were supported by staff, health issues and infections were identified promptly. One said, “Staff are very well trained, they are fantastic, they have liaised between the GP, nurses and the hospital and got them to work together in an organised way.”

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.

Regular care plan and risk assessment reviews enabled staff to have full oversight of people’s needs and respond to any newly identified issues or concerns, for example, staff monitored weight loss, risks to skin integrity and falls to monitor trends and improve outcomes. The registered manager maintained oversight to ensure any health concerns were identified and responded to promptly. This included a monthly audit of infections experienced by people over the previous month.

A relative shared, “The staff are very on top of her health needs, she has frequent health needs, but they are quick to deal with it.”

Care documentation was updated following any identified changes to ensure positive outcomes for people.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. People were encouraged and supported to make decisions about how they spent their time and how their care was provided.

Staff worked in accordance with the MCA to ensure people’s rights around consent were met. We observed staff involving people in choices and decisions throughout the inspection. This included seeking consent before providing care and support. If people declined support their wishes were respected.

Relatives confirmed they had been involved in decision making for people that could not make decisions for themselves.