Updated 19 May 2017
We rated Connolly House as good because:
- The provider had an up to date ligature risk assessments and mitigated for any risks by patient observation levels where appropriate.
- Although some bedroom toilets smelt of urine, the cleanliness of the environment was maintained, cleaning schedules were in date and environmental risk assessments were completed. Staff had highlighted uneven floors causing trip hazards with floor marking signs to alert people to this risk. The provider plans to further address these risks in future renovation works.
- Staff completed individualised risk assessments of manual handling needs to manage patients at risk of falls. Staff used motion sensors in bedrooms to manage patients at risk of falls during the night.
- The provider had good medicines management practices.
- Incidents were reviewed, investigated and lessons learnt were shared with staff.
- Staff completed patient individualised and holistic care plans and monitored patients’ physical health regularly.
- Staff received an induction, completed dementia specific training and support staff completed the care certificate training. Staff had yearly appraisals, regular supervisions and staff meetings.
- Staff completed decision specific capacity assessments and best interest decisions were made with family involvement. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard applications were granted for thirteen patients with review dates. Doctors prescribed covert medication, when required, with clear guidance from pharmacy for staff when administering.
- Relatives made positive comments about the care and treatment provided by staff for patients and we observed caring and kind interactions by staff towards patients. Relatives were involved in compiling ‘My Charts’ detailing information about patients, and were involved in the care planning processes and best interest decisions.
- The provider responded to and investigated complaints. Relatives were provided with responses to complaints and staff were provided with lessons learnt from these.
- Staff survey results generally showed positive results. Staff felt able to raise concerns and spoke positively about working within the team and for the provider.
However:
- Staff mandatory training fell below 75% compliance for some subjects. Three staff members had no training in physical restraint, which meant the safety of staff and patients was not maintained.
- Staff did not always conduct or document patients’ prescribed care interventions or observations.
- The provider did not ensure plans for staffing during the evenings and overnight were clearly recorded on the duty rota.
- The provider had dangerous electrical wiring in the lounge, which we highlighted. The provider removed this whilst we were on site.
- The provider had syringes unwrapped in a plastic box with no expiry date in the clinic room. We raised this with the provider who told us these were not in use and removed these whilst we were on site.