Derbyshire Care Services HQ

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.

The provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. Leaders were in the process of reviewing care plans and risk assessments to ensure these met with their expected standards; where they found improvements were needed, for example any specific risk assessments, these were implemented.

People told us they found the assessments useful. One person said, “I remember a very full assessment at first, which took account of adaptations we had made to our home at that time. A relative added, “Yes, I have seen the risk assessment and care plan. I can also look at the notes online, so I can see how much [my family member] has had to drink, eat and their mood. It’s helpful. They leave them with a drink in between visits.”

Other people told us they were involved with assessments when their needs changed. One person told us, “Staff came out and assessed me to see what was needed before they began coming. They came out again when I reduced the care and came out again when it needed increasing.” Another person said, “Once a year my care plan is reviewed. Sometimes I say about things that may need changing in between and then I tell the carer, and she tells the office, and they add that on for me. I have regular staff, and they do provide me with consistent care.”

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.

Where staff helped people with their meals and drinks, people told us they were mostly happy with this. One person felt staff knowledge on their food preferences could improve whilst others spoke highly of their care. For example, one person said, “I have a lunch visit three days a week, always the same carer and they are brilliant, the highlight of my week having meals exactly as I like them.” Another person told us, “They all wear personal protective equipment and wash hands when doing any food preparation for me. They even ask me how I like my sandwiches cut! Either in triangles or squares!”

People’s care plans and risk assessments included any recommendations made by speech and language therapists to help reduce the risks from choking. Staff understood how to reduce risks for people associated with their nutrition and hydration. For example, one staff member told us, “Some people have soft diets, and we follow each diet plan. We will check food is not out of date.”

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 provider’s staff teams were organised and worked efficiently together and with other health and social care professionals.

People told us how good team working between all relevant health and social care teams benefitted them. One relative said, “[Family member’s] leg ulcers were successfully treated by the district nurse, and the carers continue to cream their legs under the district nurse’s direction. I feel the carers and office staff have a good understanding of their needs and that we are all working towards the same aims.” Another relative added, “There was a review with [family member’s] social worker earlier this year and with staff from the agency. Any problems and staff from Derbyshire Care Services HQ always sort it out for me.”

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.

One person told us, “Having the carers makes all the difference to me, and means I will avoid needing even more care in the future.” A relative told us how care staff had worked with the local GP to help their family member test for a urinary tract infection. This meant they received anti-biotics to improve their health.”

Information on people’s specific health care needs was included in their care plans. Referrals to other health and social care services were made when this was identified as needed. Staff we spoke with understood people’s health care needs and told us they acted if they felt people were unwell. For example, one staff member told us, “Yesterday a person was not looking well and was coughing, so I rang 999 for help. I made sure they were comfortable and phoned their family and the office as well.”

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 received care to help maintain their health. One relative told us, “Staff always reposition [my family member] in the bed until they are comfy. They always make sure their bottom is not sore as they did have a pressure sore years ago, so they have their skin creams regularly.” Another relative said, “[My family member] is currently housebound but making clear progress. I could envisage a reduction in care needs in future if that progress is maintained.”

Staff understood how to help monitor and help improve people’s health. For example, one staff member told us, “We try to make sure people don’t get pressure sores; so, we check them each call and keep checks on them when they are in bed. We look for any redness and keep relieving pressure and the District Nurses are always on standby if we have any concerns.” Records showed staff recorded information that helped contribute towards monitoring people’s health, for example, urine outputs when people had catheter care. This helped to identify any changes and helped to maintain people’s safety and wellbeing and reduce risks to people.

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

One person told us, “Staff always get on well with me and ask my consent before they do things.” Another person added, “The carers check all the time how I want to receive care. They show total respect all the time.”

Staff consistently told us they checked people’s consent to their care. One staff member said, “I will always check before any tasks, I will check it is okay for me to go ahead, so I’ll say, ‘I’d like to transfer you now, is that okay?’” Another staff member told us, “I support a person who has no verbal communication so I show them meals so they can make their choice. They stand up if they want to go to the toilet. I’ll show them the medicines, and they will sit and take them, or they can refuse. I’ll always seek consent in all aspects of care.” These actions helped to ensure people’s rights were promoted and respected.