Summerhill

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 inspection we rated this key question good. At this inspection 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.

Staff made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.A person commented, “The manager asked me a little bit about me, before I came in.” Another person said, “Staff are very good at giving my son information.” Staff told us there were effective systems in place to assess and monitor people’s needs. This included handover meetings between incoming and outgoing staff on shift and staff meetings. A staff member commented, “Handover is very useful, we discuss any changes and how people have been.”

Staff at the service 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.A person commented, “Staff are always on about the care plans, I am doing alright.” There was effective recording and monitoring of people’s nutritional and fluid intake, with specialist advice obtained in a timely way, including for modified diets. A professional commented, “Staff are aware of the swallowing and communication difficulties of their residents. They are responsive to my input.”

Staff at the service worked well across teams and services to support people. Staff made timely referrals and worked well with other agencies to ensure people's treatment needs were met. A healthcare professional commented, “The registered manager and senior staff are always open to suggestions to improve ways of working and support the role I have within the home.”

Staff supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. The service supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.Records included specialist advice and guidance that had been obtained where people had additional support needs, such as, from the speech and language therapist or mental health team. People told us they were supported to access health care. A person commented, “I am okay at the moment, but staff would get the doctor quickly if I needed it.”

Staff 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.Care plans were personalised to ensure outcomes could be met ensuring people received safe and effective support. A relative told us, “Staff discuss the care plans, we have regular discussions.” There was a monthly evaluation of risk assessments and people's care plans, to ensure they accurately reflected people's needs, with appropriate guidance for staff about the support people needed. Reviews were carried out regularly to ensure people's support and outcomes were monitored. A relative commented, “We have reviews regularly, 6 monthly. We talk about what is going on and what [Name] needs.”

Staff at the service told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. Assessments were carried out, around people’s mental capacity, care records contained all relevant information and were documented in line with guidance.