Northwood Nursing & Residential Care

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• 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

For this key question we assessed 4 quality statements relating to assessing need, people leading healthier lives, monitoring outcomes and consent to care. People received effective care. Their needs and choices had been assessed and planned for and their physical and mental wellbeing was continuously monitored to meet their clinical expectations. The provider now gained people’s consent when required. People consented to their care and treatment. During the assessment we observed staff were asking for people’s consent.

This service scored 67 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

People told us they had chatted about their support needs before moving into Northwood Nursing and Residential Care. Relatives said they had seen their family member’s care plan and were involved in what information it held.

People had access to health professionals when needed. The registered manager accessed physical and mental health support when this was required. One relative told us, “They [management] were on it and really good about [health condition] when they moved in.” One staff member said, “The care plans are all up to date.” We observed, after an emergency placement, the provider had invited staff who knew the person well to visit and share their knowledge on the person including their support needs and strategies to minimise anxiety and distress. This would enable the person to receive care or treatment that has the best possible outcomes.

The management team usually carried out assessments of people’s care and support needs prior to their admission. People’s care plans were developed with input from people, relatives, previous staff members and local authority documentation. Care plans contained information regarding their care and support requirements. They were personalised and included enough detail to help staff understand how people's needs should be met. Care plans were regularly reviewed and updated.

We did not look at Delivering evidence-based care and treatment during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.

We did not look at How staff, teams and services work together during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.

People told us they had access to health professionals when needed. One person told us, “[When unwell] I tell the nurse, who rings the doctor to come out. The doctor comes that day.”

We observed people were supported to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing. The provider had boosted people’s wellbeing by giving them valued roles within the home. For 1 person this boosted their self-worth and reduced their self-imposed isolation.

Documentation showed people were supported to access dental care, chiropody and opticians in line with assessed needs.

Individual outcomes were monitored, and professional advice was sought if this was required. One relative told us, [Family member] has hospital appointments and they are sorting it all out for her. They jump through loops for her.”

People received person centred care. We spoke to staff and found that staff had good knowledge about people's wider health needs and how to support them.

Assessments of need were carried out and this identified where people needed support. This helped ensure people had the right advice and support at the time they needed it. Staff were allocated people to monitor and support on each shift. Staff told us this gave greater oversight and continuity. The provider told us staff were receiving additional training as they were seeking to register with charity to give help and support to people affected by brain injury.

People told us they received a choice about their care and treatment. One person told us they made all their own everyday choices such as the food they eat, but also knew that they could change their mind regarding decisions made. Other comments from people included, “Yes, I do have choices.” And, “Yes, of course [I have choices].”

Staff were aware of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and were able to describe how they apply this in their day to day practice. During the assessment we observed staff were asking for people’s consent.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisations and assessments were in place to support decision making and any restrictions to people’s liberty. Information on DoLS was available on a communication board in the hallway of the home.