G H Quality Care Limited - 63 Taunton Road

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.

The provider shared any learning with staff through individual letters which staff had to read and sign to say they had understood. For example, recent concerns had been identified regarding record keeping and all staff had received information about how this could be improved. Staff spoken with were aware of the changes needed and told us they were following the advice given to them.

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.

Staff told us they worked with other professionals to make sure people’s needs were met. This included working with district nurses and occupational therapists.

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 told us they felt safe with the staff who supported them. One person said, “They [staff] make me feel safe and comfortable.”

Staff had received training in recognising and reporting abuse. All were confident that any issues raised with the management would be taken seriously and fully investigated.

The registered manager had made referrals to appropriate agencies when they had concerns about possible abuse.

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.

Risk assessments had been completed to identify possible risks and to enable actions to be taken to minimise these. Although these risk assessments were reviewed, if no changes were made the date of the review was not recorded. The registered manager gave assurances that this was being addressed.

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

Staff told us that they received training in any new equipment provided to people. This ensured people and staff remained safe.

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.

There were adequate staff employed to make sure people were supported by small groups of staff who knew them well. One person said, “I am very satisfied with them. They are the best. I see the same staff who take it in turn to come in. They come on time and stay the proper time.”

The provider operated a safe recruitment process which ensured all staff were suitable to work for the agency. New staff undertook an induction programme which included shadowing more experienced staff and basic training.

One person told us, “I think the staff are all well vetted. They definitely know what they are doing. I think some have years of experience."

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.

Staff were supplied with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which helped to minimise the spread of infection.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences.

The majority of people were able to maintain their independence by administering their own medicines. Where people required support with this task, staff only administered from pre- prepared dossett boxes.

All staff had undertaken on-line training in the safe administration of medicines. However, there were no formal competency checks for staff to make sure their practice was safe. The registered manager gave assurances that these would be put in place.