Ansa Care

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• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good.

This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

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.

Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. There were opportunities for staff and leaders to learn lessons and improve outcomes for people. People felt able to talk to staff about safety concerns. Accidents and incidents were appropriately reported and acted upon.An electronic system recorded incidents in real time which immediately flagged the incident to the management team. Investigations were undertaken and learning was used to improve people’s care experiences.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish, maintain and monitor safe systems of care. A person told us, “They did a full assessment at first, which included assessing the environment and how that would impact on my care.” The provider made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. A relative told us staff had gone ‘above and beyond’ to ensure their loved ones move from home into supported living accommodation had been a safe and positive experience for them all.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Staff received safeguarding training. They were aware of their responsibility to protect people from avoidable harm and how to report concerns. People told us they felt safe with the staff supporting them. A person said, “Carers treat me well; I feel safe with them.” A relative told us their loved one was, “Definitely safe in their care.”

Staff provided care that was safe, supportive, and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Risk management processes supported people’s independence including any equipment they needed to do this safely. Risks relating to people’s health, skin integrity and mobility were managed. For people living in supported living schemes, positive risk management processes encouraged independence both at home and in the wider community. This meant people were able to safely participate in hobbies and interests which were important to them.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Staff knew how to undertake safety checks in people’s homes. A person said, “I like how they preserve the security of my home, I feel safe having them care for me.”

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled, and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision, and development. Safe employment processes protected people from the recruitment of unsuitable staff. People told us requests for staff changes are listened to and actioned. Staff worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. People told us staff were skilled and reliable. A person said, “I have one regular carer, and I have a really good relationship with her.” A relative said, “In all this time we have had one consistent carer, who has been outstanding in every way, fully committed to [name] care.”

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. Staff received training to mitigate the risk of infection outbreaks and there was an up-to-date infection prevention and control (IPC) policy. People told us staff always wore gloves and aprons. A person said, “They help keep my home nice and hygienic.” A relative said, “In general our experience has been positive, [name] hasn’t felt unsafe at any time and cleanliness standards have been maintained.”

The provider made sure that medicines practices were safe and met people’s needs, capacities, and preferences. Regular medicine checks and audits were undertaken. Medicine administration records (MARs) were completed in line with good practice guidance. There were clear protocols for administering ‘as and when required’ (PRN) medicines. People told us their medicines were managed well and supported their independence and wishes. A person told us, “They make sure I’ve got my blister pack and that I take my tablets myself,” Another person said, “They ask if I’ve taken my meds, and I find that a helpful reminder.”