Long Close Retirement 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 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.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safeguarding during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them.

People told us they felt safe living at Long Close Retirement Home and were happy with the support and care they received from staff. One person told us, “I’ve been here about 9 months. I do know how to use the alarm. I’ve used it and they came quickly.” Staff knew people well and spoke knowledgably regarding their individual risks. Staff explained how they supported people to live their lives safely while ensuring they were able to maintain their independence and well-being. Staff had worked closely with people, their families and health and social care professionals to ensure people could take part in activities that were important to them, whilst maintaining their safety and independence. Risk assessments were detailed, personalised and guided staff to support people safely whilst still maintaining their independence. Assessments were reviewed and updated regularly. Emergency plans were in place to ensure people received the support they needed in the event of a fire or other emergency incident.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. This inspection was prompted by fire safety concerns. We found the provider had recently updated their fire safety measures to help keep people safe in the event of a fire. Safety measures included, new heat and smoke detectors, a new fire door closure and replacement intumescent strips in fire doors. “Staff spoke knowledgably about how to keep people and the environment safe. Comments from staff included, “We have fire tests and drills. Doing these drills we know what we are doing, its important people are safe. We have the drills frequently and they make sense” and, I’m happy here, I feel confident in the fire processes and I feel people are safe.”

People told us they enjoyed living in the service and felt safe with the staff and the environment. People were able to personalise their bedrooms how they wished. One person told us, “This is the second bedroom I have had and I like it.” Another person said, “I’m getting used to it here, the staff are good, and my bed is nice and comfortable. The food and meals are very good indeed.” Staff received all aspects of health and safety training. Training was conducted both on line and through practical face to face sessions. A member of staff said, “We do health and safety training, we have a practical session with an independent trainer. Every month we do a different subject. Once the training is done we get asked questions and then do the practical session to show we have understood.”

The environment was clean, free from clutter and well equipped. There were systems in place to ensure all equipment was regularly checked serviced and well maintained to ensure the safety of the service. Utility and environmental tests were carried out in accordance with relevant legislation and were completed at the frequency required by law. These included, gas safety, fire alarms, electrical checks and water systems. Hazardous substances were kept secure when not in use.

We did not look at Safe and effective staffing during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Medicines optimisation during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.