Brookfield

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.
There were systems to ensure that all accidents, incidents and near misses were reported. The registered manager told us that learning from incidents was shared with staff during meetings to ensure further learning and similar incidents were reduced in the future. Staff spoken with during this assessment confirmed this.
Records also demonstrated shared learning from the provider. For example, following a safeguarding incident at another location, information had been shared with staff at Brookfield to raise awareness and improve practice.
 

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 they were kept updated about any changes to their family member’s support. One relative said, “I feel I would be kept up to speed if they needed to update me.” A person told us they felt their care would be supported by external professionals if needed. They said, “I have not needed to see my doctor. I am sure they would call if needed.”
 

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.
All allegations of abuse had been reported to the local authority safeguarding team and, when appropriate, investigated thoroughly by the provider. Detailed records were maintained.
Staff told us they received training in safeguarding adults from harm and abuse and were given time to keep this knowledge up to date. We observed staff supporting people in a safe manner. Relatives told us they felt people were safe. One told us, “I feel very safe leaving [relative] and they look after him.”
 

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.
Assessments were carried out to identify any risks to people’s health and wellbeing. Care plans guided staff of the actions they needed to take to promote people’s safety. Staff told us they completed regular care reviews where people were involved in decisions about their care. Staff completed “resident of the day” when extra focus was placed on that person’s needs to ensure their wishes, preferences and risks related to their care, were revisited, reviewed and updated as appropriate.
 

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.
The provider ensured necessary checks within the environment were carried out regularly, including fire, electrical and gas safety checks. We observed the home to be clean and free from clutter enabling people to access areas safely and freely.
 

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.
Our observations through the assessment showed staff were on hand to support people, whether in their own rooms or communal areas. One relative said, “I think there are enough staff. [Relative] will tell them if she wants something.” Some staff told us the home would benefit from more staff to support with activities. We raised this and the registered manager confirmed the home was currently recruiting an activities coordinator.
The provider had safe recruitment practices to help ensure suitable staff were employed. Necessary pre-employment checks were completed before staff began working in the home. Staff were suitably inducted and completed regular training, to make sure they had the knowledge and skills to carry out their duties. Staff confirmed they received regular support 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 and relatives raised no concerns about cleanliness. One relative said, “My [relative’s] room was clean.”
Staff told us sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) was always available. The home appeared clean and fresh and housekeeping staff were available to clean communal areas and people’s rooms.
 

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.
Medicines were managed and administered safely. Where people received their medicines via a patch applied directly to their skin, best practice guidelines were followed and application sites recorded on body maps.
People told us that staff managed medicines well. For example, a person told us, “Care staff support with me with medicines. It is alright, no concerns.”
Staff who managed and administered people’s medicines confirmed that they had completed training and had their competency checked regularly.
Medicines were stored safely and regular temperature checks of these storage facilities were carried to ensure medicines were kept safe and within manufacturers guidelines.