Technology helps provide an Outstanding level of care at Kingfisher Court

Kingfisher Court in Nottinghamshire, part of Oakdale Care Group, has been rated Outstanding by CQC following a recent inspection. The report published in August 2018 mentions that the care home’s adoption of technology has helped contribute to the level of Outstanding care.

Kingfisher Court has been using Person Centred Software’s Mobile Care Monitoring system since April 2017 to electronically record the care and support delivered to residents, and for reporting and care planning. The report explains, “An electronic support plan was used in the home and staff carried small electronic tablets which recorded the care and support people needed and when this was given. This system ensured people received care and support in the way they preferred, and we saw their support needs had been discussed and agreed with them.”

Andrew Long, CEO of Oakdale Care Group says, “Person Centred Software’s Mobile Care Monitoring system played a significant part in our achieving an Outstanding rating at Kingfisher Court’s first CQC inspection.”

He continues: “We first reviewed the Person Centred Software system in late 2015, when I was then still formally with the LNT Group and Nominated Individual for Ideal Care Homes. I was continually challenged by the amount of time that care staff were having to spend on manually writing up care plans, floor management folders, handover notes etc, and was trying to think of ways of saving their time so that they could concentrate more on actual resident care. The Person Centred Software Mobile Care Monitoring system provided a genuine next generation answer to how care is described, captured and communicated effectively and efficiently. It helps release people’s time to care properly and simultaneously improve the evidence that supports person centred care planning and outcomes.”

Andrew adds: “The system produces reports that enable us to look at trends and assess simple things like weight loss, weight gain, hydration, food intake and satisfaction of clients, as well as the day to day care interactions our staff are performing. It also allows us to see what’s going on in the care home even if we’re not there.”

Even residents at the home recognise that the system is helping to improve the quality of care. The CQC report states: ‘One person told us, "The staff explained the system. I think it's marvellous and it makes it clearer for everyone. I can see what's written down on there or the staff show me on a computer. It's the way things are now, and I'd rather spend time with them than have them scribbling in books about me all the time."’

This press release was published in Care Home Professional, Care England news and Care and Nursing Essentials Magazine.