The Belmont

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 the same due to our inspection activity only looking at specific quality statements.

This service scored 69 (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.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately. Safeguarding concerns were raised appropriately and shared with the relevant external partners. The registered manager maintained a safeguarding log which documented incidents, which were responded to appropriately. We saw where further input may be needed from health professional’s regarding people’s capacity, the relevant referrals had been made. People we spoke with told us they felt safe. A relative told us, “[Staff] are really reassuring, if I have any concerns, I usually see the registered or deputy manager and they are normally responsive to any concerns”.

We did not look at Involving people to manage risks during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Since our last inspection the provider had taken additional measures to improve the safety of the building. Additional window restrictors had been added to all windows and regular checks were being carried out. During our visit we identified a person did not have their falls mat in place, whilst we saw no impact to the person, we shared this with the registered manager who reminded staff of the persons mobility care plan and how this should be followed. The registered manager had been completing an analysis of incidents and accidents which occurred during the night. Whilst these incidents did not initially conclude an obvious avenue of concern, the provider had recognised additional falls monitoring equipment would be beneficial. The registered manager told us the provider was planning to invest in an infra-red falls monitoring system, which would start to be implemented by the end of the year. An infra-red falls monitoring system is a non-invasive monitoring technology which uses infrared beams or thermal/heat-sensing equipment to identify when a person at risk of falling is getting up, leaving a bed or chair, or has experienced a fall.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. Since our last inspection the provider had increased staffing numbers at night. The registered manager was completing regular out of hours night visits to identify any concerns or themes of incidents which may need to be reviewed or actioned. Staff had also completed additional training in relation to falls management, dementia and safeguarding. A person told us, “Staff are absolutely brilliant, they are good and very caring, there is enough staff, if I call the bell they come, the atmosphere is calm”. We spoke with some night staff on duty from different floors during our visit, the staff we spoke with told us they had enough time to carry out their roles effectively and had time care for people living at The Belmont. One staff member told us, “I have enough time to carry out my role, most people have capacity on this floor, they don’t get up very early, most people choose to get up with day staff. It depends on their choice, if they want to get up, I will help, but its very unlikely. If a person needs assistance it shows on my phone, so I can see and support them”. Another staff member told us, “I work between 2 floors, if staff need assistance, they will call me on the radio, its always calm like it is now”.

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.