St Anne's – Saltash in Cornwall was rated outstanding for being effective, caring, responsive and well-led following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), on 7 February 2020.
The safe category received a score of Good.
St Anne's provides accommodation and personal care to older people.
To further increase their knowledge staff had recently received training on the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI). Dysphagia is a term used to describe swallowing difficulties. IDDSI is a global standard with terminology and definitions to describe the texture of food and thickness of liquids provided to people with dysphagia. The aim was for the staff to provide improved nutrition and safety for people with dysphagia and use standardised records. This had improved how the staff provided food and drink for people and reduced risks.
Staff had a deep understanding of people's dementia care needs. One person was refusing to allow staff to provide personal care. Staff spent time trying to solve this issue without distressing the person and discussed them at handover. This person was often awake and active at night. It was identified that a night care worker, who had a good relationship with this person, would be more successful with providing this care. The person now happily showered at night and received the care they needed without distress. A member of staff said, "It's about adapting the way you do things for each person. Treating people fairly but understanding their different needs."
St Anne's is a certificated member of the National Activity Providers Association, upholding the values of the uniqueness of everyone and providing person centred and meaningful activities. Five staff 'Champions' had been given additional training and responsibility for providing arts, crafts, activities and exercise and supported the whole staff team in delivering the planned programme.
The registered manager highlighted, "We try to think about what a person would do if they were living in their own home. So, if people want to indulge their interests, such as painting or woodwork, we support them to do it. We take a very positive approach to risk management. Life is full of risk and we want people to live well."
Residents comments included, "We go all over the place, little trips here, there everywhere," "We go wherever we want to and do whatever we like," "We go out and do things. We are our own person" and "There is something and everything here. What can't you do? There's always something to do."
