Homecare Services (Bury)

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.

People’s needs were appropriately assessed and planned for. People told us and records showed support plans were monitored and reviewed regularly. We were told, “We agreed on the delivery of care to suit my [relatives] needs” and “I have a comprehensive care plan and all matters regarding my needs were discussed and agreed.”

Care records showed people’s needs were continually reviewed to ensure information reflected people’s current and changing needs. The support reflected people needs. People told us, “I have a comprehensive care plan and all matters regarding my needs were discussed and agreed” and “Mums care plan is comprehensive and reviewed regularly.”

Staff said changes in people’s care and support was effectively communicated and plans were updated to reflect any changes.

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.

Care was planned and delivered in a personalised way and assessments reflected good practice guidance. People received additional support from other healthcare professionals to promote good outcomes. Staff spoke about the training and support provided by the occupational therapist and nursing teams, which helped inform their practice in specific areas of care and use of specialist equipment. One staff member said, “There’s really good support from district nurse and rapid response team.”

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.

Appropriate referrals were made where people’s needs had changed so that appropriate support or equipment was on place. The team had developed good working relationships with other agencies such as, occupational therapists, social workers and community nurses. Staff said external agencies were quick to respond and offer support, where needs had changed. We were told, “The district nurse and rapid response respond very quickly” and “Communication between the agencies is good.”

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 were aware of people’s individual health and care needs. Staff said they monitored people’s health and well-being and would report any concerns or changes to senior members of staff. People told us staff encouraged them to improve their well-being where possible. We were told, “They encourage me and help me with exercises to build my balance and strength” and “The carers are well aware of [person] underlying health conditions and are supportive in ensuring their personal care is carried out in an unhurried and gentle manner.”

Where people required assistance with food and drink, guidance was in place including people’s preferences or dietary requirements. People told us, “They give me choices of what food I have in the fridge and prepare it well” and “The carers will help me get my meals and provide me with drinks; they always leave me with a drink before they go.”

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.

The provider and senior managers were actively involved in the day to day running of the service and had developed good working relationships with staff, people and their relatives.

Senior staff carried out quality assurance checks such as spot checks and reviews to check people’s satisfaction with the support provided. These checks also provided an opportunity to help identify and resolve any issues impacting on people. People and their relatives told us, “A lady from the office came out today to check on my [relative] and make sure we were ok receiving the care that suited her” and “The care plan is reviewed, as well as the senior team doing spot checks on the care received” and “The senior staff are in close contact with me, they will phone to make sure all is well or visit.”

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

Records showed people’s capacity to consent to their care and support were considered or, where necessary, best interest decisions were made involving relevant parties. Records showed and staff confirmed, they had completed Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) training. Staff spoken with demonstrated their understanding of consent and capacity and told us people’s permission would be sought before carrying out any care and support.

People and their relatives said staff would seek their permission and involve them in decisions about their care. People told us, “I have a comprehensive care plan and all matters regarding my needs were discussed and agreed by me” and “The support I get is very person centred and the carers never assume, and they always ask for my consent before undertaking a task.”