Swallownest Nursing Home

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

People’s needs and preferences were assessed, and care and support was delivered in line with current standards. The provider made sure staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care. The service worked effectively within and across organisations to deliver effective care and support. People were supported to understand their right to consent, and were involved in planning how their care was provided. Staff knew the importance of making sure people understood what they were consenting to, and of gaining people’s consent before they delivered care. People were supported to lead a healthy life and to maintain a balanced diet. People’s needs were met by the adaption, design and decoration of the home.

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.

People were involved in their assessment and care planning. Relatives told us told us they were asked to provide information to support their family member’s assessment and care plan. One relative said, “Yes we were involved in doing [my family member’s] care plan, so [staff] know what she likes and needs.”

Staff and managers were aware of the processes to follow when supporting people to make decisions and be involved in their care. They told us they completed training about the law, and good practice regarding people’s mental capacity. They said this aspect of their work was regularly discussed during staff meetings.

People’s care and social needs were assessed in a person-centred way to make sure staff were able to support each person appropriately. Pre-admission assessments included information around people’s healthcare needs, preferred communication methods and how to best support people. People’s care records and staff meetings records showed care was delivered in line with national guidance and legislation.

People and their relatives told us staff were aware of people’s needs and what was important to them. One person told us “I think they know me very well now. Staff understand and help me.” Everyone we spoke with was complimentary about the food. Typical responses included, “The food is good. There is always a choice and there is always enough” and “The food is nice. It is always hot and I am never hungry”. “One relative said, “Mum needs her food cutting up and staff are always happy to do that for her.”

Managers and staff told us they made sure people were involved the assessment, planning and delivery of their care so their views and preferences were included in care plans. They were familiar with people’s individual needs.

People had enough to eat and drink to maintain their health and wellbeing. Effective processes were in place to make sure people’s views and preferences were sought and acknowledged in relation to their care. People’s needs, views and preferences were clearly reflected in their care plans.

People and relatives spoke positively about the staff team. One person said, “The staff are good. There is always help if I need it.” A relative told us, “I think [staff] are well enough trained, from what I have seen.” People and their relatives told us they were provided with information and advice about their health, care and support. One person said, “Staff help me with all my medical type stuff. I have a problem with my toe and they take me to hospital when it needs sorting. They also dress it here themselves.” A relative told us. “Yes staff will help with [medical] visits. I think an optician visits here actually.”

Members of the management team told us information was shared between health teams and services. Records we saw supported this. This helped to make sure there was continuity of care for people when they used and moved between services. Staff told us they had access to the information they needed to assess, plan and deliver people’s care, treatment and support. One staff member said, “We’ve got good systems and good training.”

Those who worked in partnership with the service told us the team were open and honest, shared information appropriately and worked well with them. One healthcare professional told us, “They seek our input when needed. I’ve noticed improvements with staff sharing information with us recently.”

People’s care plans included the support needed to meet their needs. This included the support to sustain and promote their independence. For example, aids and equipment used to support them with eating and drinking and with moving around the home. New staff received training as part of their induction. There was ongoing training to support staff in their roles, as well as training tailored to the specific needs of people who used the service. The nursing staff received appropriate training to enable them to provide care and treatment for people.

One person told us, “I am quite independent, so don’t need much help and I am encouraged to do things for myself. I am allowed to make my own choices. I can get up when I want and go out when I want.” They went on to say, “They do have trips out also sometimes and they have activities for us. It’s up to you if you want to or not.” People told us they were provided with advice and support on managing their health and wellbeing. One person said, “Staff help me with all my medical type stuff. I have a problem with my toe and they take me to hospital when it needs sorting. They also dress it here themselves.” Relatives also confirmed people had access to the healthcare support they needed, and this achieved positive outcomes. One relative told us, “Yes staff will help with visits. I think an optician visits here actually.”

Staff supported people to manage their health conditions whilst respecting people’s choices and rights. They described changes in people’s wellbeing that would lead to them seeking support from the appropriate healthcare professionals. Staff understood the risks related to people’s nutrition and hydration.

Staff worked closely with local community health services and were able to access advice and guidance promptly. They had weekly reviews with their GP surgery, which enabled them to get support from a range of healthcare professionals. For example, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and specialist nurses. If people were at risk of poor nutrition or hydration staff monitored people's food and fluid intake, and weight, used nutritional screening tools, and sought advice from GPs and dietitians.

People were positive about their care and told us their needs were being met. People and their relatives said staff worked with people to monitor and improve their health and wellbeing. One relative said, “[My family member] is safe here. She is well looked after.” Another person’s relative told us of improvements to their family member’s health since moving into the home.

Staff told us of a range of areas they monitored to ensure people’s health and wellbeing. This was based on people’s individual needs. Staff and managers also explained there were positive relationships between the home and staff at the GP surgery, who they worked with to monitor and improve people’s health outcomes.

There were processes in place to monitor people’s wellbeing and the care people received. This included discussion with people and those close to them and reviews of people’s care records. The provider’s monitoring systems and processes helped staff to identify and respond to changes in people’s health and wellbeing in a timely way.

People told us they were involved in decisions around their care. For instance, one person said, “[Staff] always ask if I want anything.” We saw people were comfortable and relaxed with the staff attending them. People were helped to feel in control of their care. Our observations confirmed staff practice reflected their understanding of the importance of seeking people's consent.

Staff received training in mental capacity and demonstrated a good understanding of supporting people to make informed decisions. They understood that people may need time to consider their decisions, and were entitled to change their mind. We saw that where people did not have capacity to make a particular decision, this had been recorded and decisions had been made in their best interests.

Records showed people provided consent in relation to their care and treatment where they had the capacity to do so. Where people living at the service were unable to make their own decisions, records of best interest meetings and specific decisions were in place. People were enabled to access support from independent advocates.