Northshore Nursing Home, Blackpool

Northshore Nursing Home in Blackpool, Lancashire a nursing home for adults with dementia and physical disabilities was rated outstanding for being effective, caring, responsive and well-led following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), 7 & 8 March 2018.

It achieved the score of good for the safe category.

At the last inspection on 20 October 2015, the service was rated Good.

The CQC report highlighted that he home's ethos centred on the provision of highly effective care from evidence-based sources. The provider accessed any systems, tools and partnerships known to benefit the person's welfare and treatment.

They worked with GPs and self-funded staff to complete intravenous fluid therapy training. This was unique in the effective management of people's health because no other provider offered it in the locality. It meant people continued to be supported in their familiar surroundings at North Shore. This reduced their anxiety about being hospitalised because they were treated in the comfort of Northshore.

Since the last inspection, a 'Dignity Challenge Initiative’ had been implemented. The project focused on how staff should provide dignified support that improved people's self-confidence and independence. The core values centred on having 'dignity in our hearts, minds and action,' whilst making the environment as homely as possible. Aspects included enhanced goal setting, focus on people's strengths, detailed life histories and one-to-one emotional support. It had a direct effect on people, such as better sleep routines, family relationships, general health, coping strategies and mood fluctuation.

A dementia mapping system reinforced care delivery. Northshore worked closely with a university to develop their own observational framework processes. The tool gave an extremely detailed and personalised understanding of each person's behaviour patterns, preferences and communication styles. Staff monitored expressions, interactions, body language and mannerisms to assess how responsive treatment, care planning and support actions were in meeting people's needs.

The registered manager told the CQC, "This helps us to support residents in a different way to help them become more settled."