Bluebird care (Central Bedfordshire)

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.

The provider met with people and their families before care started to gather information, and complete assessments which considered people’s health and social care needs. Information obtained through the assessment process was used to develop person centred care plans which guided staff in the delivery of safe and consistent care.

Staff understood people’s needs and used the providers electronic communication systems to escalate concerns and changes in people’s health and wellbeing.

Reviews were carried out regularly to help ensure care remained effective and responsive. Staff worked with healthcare professionals when people’s needs changed or additional support was required.

One person and their family told us, “We met with the supervisor when (family member) started to receive care and have had an annual review since that time.” Another family member said, “Every 6 months someone comes out and goes through the care plan to review it.”

The provider planned and delivered care with people taking account of what was important to them and what mattered in their day to day lives. Care and support were delivered in line with relevant legislation national guidance and evidence based good practice.

Care plans contained clear guidance on dietary needs associated risks and individual preferences. Staff told us they followed professional guidance including advice from GPs, speech and language therapists and district nurses. Staff demonstrated awareness of risk associated with food and hydration and recognised signs of deterioration in a person’s condition and escalated the changes in a timely manner.

People confirmed they receive appropriate support with meals and fluids. One person told us the staff were aware of the need to provide pureed meals to their family member and left drinks within reach at all care visits.

The provider worked closely with a wide range of health and community professionals including GPs, district nurses’, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists. Referrals were made promptly and professional advice was followed to support people’s health wellbeing and safety. Staff understood when concerns needed to be escalated and worked with relevant professionals to support ongoing monitoring and timely treatment of various conditions including skin damage or infection.

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.

Care plans included guidance about people’s health needs, preferences and the support required to maintain their wellbeing. Staff understood people’s health conditions and knew how to recognise signs of deterioration such as infections, skin damage or changes in mobility and wellbeing.

Staff worked with people to support healthier lives including providing assistance with exercises to strengthen muscles and improve mobility.

Staff received updates through team meetings, email communication and electronic care records which supported consistent care and ongoing monitoring of people’s health and wellbeing.

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to help ensure outcomes were positive consistent and met people’s needs and expectations.

Staff understood what was important to people and supported them to achieve outcomes linked to their health, wellbeing, independence and quality of life.

Electronic care records, call monitoring, audits and spot checks provided effective oversight of care delivery and supported quality assurance across the service. Monitoring data was regularly analysed to identify trends, risks and areas for improvement.

Feedback from people using the service, relatives and professionals was actively sought, reviewed and used to drive continuous improvement in care delivery.

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

Staff understood the importance of obtaining consent before providing care and described how they involved people in decisions relating to their support and daily routines.

People we spoke with confirmed consent was sought prior to delivering care and support. Comments included, “Yes, they ask for consent. It is part of the care plan,” another person said, “The staff usually ask for my consent.”