Broadmead Rest 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.

The provider had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

Incidents and near misses were recorded, investigated and reviewed by the management team to ensure actions were implemented. Learning from incidents was shared with all staff to ensure they understood changes in the way they needed to support people. Examples included changes in equipment used for people at high risk of falls and changes in processes to ensure people did not leave the building without support from staff.

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.

Relatives told us systems worked well when people moved to the home, with good communication. People’s health conditions were documented, and they were supported to access services from health and social care professionals. Comments included, “From the moment [person] went into Broadmead the whole team made her feel special and welcomed her lovingly. This made settling into this new way of life so much easier for her and myself and family, totally stress free.”

Healthcare professionals were positive about the support people received. Comments included, “The home has demonstrated a willingness to work in partnership with external professionals to support residents' wellbeing and continuity of care.”

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.

People and relatives said they felt they were safe living at the service. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and said they completed safeguarding training and had regular discussions about safeguarding issues. Staff were confident the management team would take appropriate action if they reported safeguarding concerns. Staff knew how to report safeguarding concerns including to external organisations if needed

Where appropriate the provider had applied to the local authority for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisations. The manager had a record of all DoLS applications that were made, including details of any conditions to authorisations. The manager knew of recent legal changes around DoLS and had discussed the implications for people living at the service with the local authority.

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 and relatives told us they felt safe. Risks to people’s health, safety and welfare were assessed and plans developed to manage those risks. People had emotional support plans where needed, which guided staff how to support people during periods of distress. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the risks people faced and how to support them safely. Staff told us risk management plans were regularly reviewed and updated as people’s needs changed. Staff had access to updated plans through the care planning system and were notified of changes.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

People told us the home was well maintained. The provider assessed the service for risks and took action to ensure people, staff and visitors remained safe. All areas of the home were in a good state of repair. Equipment, such as fire systems, water systems, window restrictors, electrical and gas systems and hoists were regularly serviced and tested to ensure they were safe. Staff told us action was taken quickly when repairs were needed.

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.

People and relatives felt there were enough staff available and said staff generally responded quickly when they requested assistance. People saidstaff had the right skills and knowledge to meet their needs.

Pre-employment checks were completed for staff before starting work, including whether they had the right to work in the UK, references from previous employers and a criminal records check. However, 2 staff whose records we checked did not have a full employment history on record. The manager took immediate action to address the gaps and obtained the missing information. The manager said they would complete an audit of all staff records to assess whether this was a wider issue and act if needed.

New staff received an induction, which included shadowing experienced staff. Staff told us they felt there were enough of them to provide safe care and meet people’s needs. They also told us, and records confirmed, they received regular training and supervision.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.

People told us the service was always kept clean. We observed the home was clean in all areas. Staff followed good infection prevention and control practice, to help keep people safe. Staff said they completed infection prevention and control training and had access to all the equipment they needed. We observed staff using suitable protective equipment safely during the inspection, including gloves, aprons and hairnets. Regular infection control audits were completed, with action taken to address shortfalls identified.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened.

People and relativestold us staff provided good support with their medicines. Staff received training in the safe management of medicines, and a manager regularly observed their practice to ensure they were doing this safely. We observed staff supporting people to take their medicines safely. Staff kept accurate records of the medicines people took and medicines were stored safely. The balance of medicines held in the service matched the records. Managers completed regular medicines audits and took action to address shortfalls.