Woodbridge House

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 Requires improvement. 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, well-being and communication needs with them.

The provider worked with people, relatives and professionals to ensure needs were assessed, understood and regularly reviewed. People had detailed risk assessments and care plans which were updated when their needs changed. This included referrals to physiotherapy and SALT. Relatives told us they were involved in assessments of their loved ones needs, one told us, “I get notified a month in advance… I would go in and talk to staff at the same time.” These assessments informed personalised care plans that accurately reflected people’s current needs, preferences and health conditions. Another relative told us about how staff adapted support for people as their needs changed telling us they observed, “A sweet example with [person’s name], he liked to lie on the floor, staff would make sure he was safe, when he needed a wheelchair they used a harness to support him safely. Staff evolved with [person’s name’s] 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.

People received care in line with best practice and clinical guidance. Staff supported people with complex needs including dysphagia, autism, learning disabilities and dementia, using established protocols such as IDDSI levels, seizure management guidance and behaviour support plans. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) is a global standard with terminology and definitions to describe texture modified foods and thickened liquids used for individuals with dysphagia. Staff followed SALT recommendations for people at risk of choking, adjusting food textures and pacing meals safely for people. Staff were aware of and implemented the principles of STOMP successfully to support people to reduce the medicines they were taking.

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 worked effectively with each other and with external professionals to meet people’s needs. Staff took part in daily handovers to ensure information about people’s needs was shared with all staff. Staff were able to describe close working relationships with professionals including GPs, SALT, OT, physiotherapy and mental health teams. Relatives also recognised strong joint working, praising quick communication from staff. One relative told us when their family member became unwell, “Staff contacted me instantly, and we solved it together.”

The provider supported people to manage their health and well-being 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 supported people to maintain and improve their health, well-being and independence. People were encouraged to engaged to take part in physical activity such as walking, cycling, trampolining and attending community groups. One person had been supported to lose significant weight, enabling them to take part in more activities and walk when previously they had relied on their wheelchair. People took part in meaningful daily routines such as hoovering, cooking and shopping. A relative told us, “They do a wonderful job with all the residents.”

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 monitored people’s health and wellbeing and used the information to improve outcomes for people. Staff tracked people’s weight, mobility changes, seizures, bowel health, distress patterns and changes in swallowing. Records showed timely escalation, including referrals and preventative interventions. Some escalations led to improved outcomes, such as reduced distress, medication reductions under STOMP, and increased participation in everyday activities. People’s outcomes and achievements were discussed within reviews, team meetings and where appropriate with people’s loved ones.

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

Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and applied them appropriately. People were supported to make choices wherever possible, and staff used personalised communication strategies such as Makaton. Staff could clearly explain how they assessed capacity, sought consent and involved relatives or professionals when best interest decisions were needed.

Relatives told us staff respected their loved one’s choices, with one saying, “She makes her own decisions… she’s very independent.” Another relative told us, “Staff always ask him what he wants and do not talk down to him.”