Prospect House Care Home

On this page

• 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 people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

At our last assessment we rated this key question inadequate. At this assessment the rating has changed to 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.

The provider had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Managers listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. For example, a new system had been implemented for recording events such as accidents, incidents and falls, and records reviewed were detailed and clearly completed. Incidents were appropriately reported to external agencies, including the CQC and Local Authority, where required. Learning from accidents and incidents was evidenced within the records and shared with staff through handovers, supervisions and meetings.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of reporting procedures, which were supported by appropriate policies and procedures. Monthly falls audits were completed, with evidence of actions taken to reduce risk, including referrals to the falls team when necessary.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. For example, each person had a healthcare passport to share with other services when they transferred, such as during hospital admissions. Healthcare passports included important information about people’s needs, preferences and risks and decisions about resuscitation. Professional partners reported referrals were made “instantly” when required, including immediate contact with GP surgeries. Discharge information was followed up promptly if incomplete, ensuring safe transitions and continuity of care.

Although there had been no recent new admissions to the home, the provider had an admission and discharge policy and procedure in place. This provided a clear framework to support safe, planned and coordinated transitions into and out of the service.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Staff concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately. Records confirmed all staff had completed safeguarding training, and discussions showed staff were knowledgeable about the different types of abuse, as well as the signs and symptoms to look out for. Staff told us they were confident in reporting concerns or suspicions of abuse, and they were able to clearly explain the safeguarding reporting procedures.

A safeguarding log was maintained and provided a clear overview of safeguarding concerns. Detailed information was recorded, with evidence of appropriate referrals made to the local authority and notifications submitted to the CQC where required.

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risk. For example, people were involved in decisions about how risks to their safety were identified and managed. Risk assessments and risk management plans had been completed and were regularly reviewed and updated. Care plans included information about known risks and the measures in place to reduce these, providing staff with clear, personalised guidance on how to support people safely.

Family members confirmed they were involved in discussions about risk and how care should be provided safely. We observed staff supporting people to transfer using equipment in line with their risk management care plan. Professional partners reported staff appropriately identified risks, particularly relating to mobility, and involved external professionals to assess needs and provide equipment or guidance to reduce risk.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. For example, some environmental risks were identified during the inspection and were addressed immediately, including adjustments to fire doors, repositioning chair cushions to reduce the risk of falls and replacement of handles to a sideboard in the dining room.

However, all required safety checks and certifications were in place and completed by appropriately qualified professionals. A valid LOLER certificate and lift service inspection was also in place.

Call bells were accessible throughout the home, communal areas and bedrooms, and personal evacuation plans (PEEPs) reflected people’s current needs and were regularly reviewed. Communal areas and corridors were free from clutter, and equipment was stored safely in locked rooms. Repairs and maintenance issues previously identified were addressed, including repairs to damp areas, replacement of rusty radiators and fixing a bathroom leak. The laundry room was secured and locked when unsupervised.

Staff were up to date with health and safety training, and systems including daily walk around checks were in place to support ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the environment.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. For example, a dependency tool was used to calculate staffing requirements, and rotas confirmed staffing levels and skill mix reflected people’s assessed needs, with a manager, deputy or senior care assistant on every shift.

Recruitment processes were safe, with staff files containing evidence of required pre-employment checks. New staff were provided with induction training, and it was completed in a timely way. All staff were up to date with mandatory training. During our site visit we observed sufficient staff on duty to safely meet people needs. Staff were visible in communal areas and provided timely support and assistance to people.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. For example, the environment was clean and hygienic throughout, with bathrooms and shower areas free from shared toiletries to reduce the risk of cross‑contamination. Staff were observed using PPE correctly, with good supplies available, and hand hygiene facilities were well stocked. Arrangements for laundry and waste were effective, with appropriate clinical waste bags in use. Infection control signage was displayed across the home, regular IPC audits were completed, and cleaning schedules were followed. IPC policies were in place, and staff had completed infection prevention and control training.

The provider ensured medication administration and stock‑checking processes were followed consistently and safely. For example, medicines were stored securely in a clean and tidy medicines room, with appropriate storage for refrigerated items and temperatures recorded twice daily. Staff involved in medicines management were assessed as competent, and up‑to‑date medicines policies and guidance were available.

Clear protocols provided staff with detailed guidance on the safe use of medicines to be given ‘as required.’ Monthly medicines audits were completed; controlled drugs were managed safely and records tallied correctly. We saw examples where medicines were prescribed to support people during periods of anxiety or agitation; however, staff used effective alternative strategies, which reduced the need for medicine use.

Arrangements for medicines patches, thickening agents and topical creams were clear, with guidance and body maps in place to support safe use.