Lindisfarne Birtley

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 the last inspection we rated this key question requires 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 and registered manager had developed a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. The registered manager used the information to identify areas where lessons could be learnt. A staff member said, “The manager is really good at following up on incidents and works with us to make sure the home is constantly improving.”

Staff 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. A relative said, “The staff are really good at letting the doctors and community nurses if they have concerns about [person’s name] health and they always let me know what has happened.” A person said, “They [staff] have been really good at making me feel at home and at ease.”

Staff worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They 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 registered manager shared concerns quickly and appropriately. Staff had training and a good understanding of what to do to make sure people were protected from harm or abuse. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisations were sought when needed and any conditions imposed by them were followed.

The staff team worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Staff took a balanced and proportionate approach to risk, which supported people and respected their choices. A person said, “Staff make sure I’m always safe but not to the point where I can’t do anything.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. Environmental risks were assessed and addressed. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Following a recent period of hot weather, they identified the service was becoming overly warm and installed air conditional units. They also found the lighting, particularly on the lower ground floor, needed to be improved and installed larger lighting units. The staff team knew who to contact when people might benefit from additional aids or equipment. Staff were trained to use any equipment people needed. People were supported to be as independent as possible within the environment.

The provider and registered manager 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. The registered manager promoted a learning culture and ensured staff had access to a wide range of training. Recruitment practices were meeting requirements. A person said, “There is always plenty of staff around and they are always happy to help.”

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 followed the required infection control guidelines.

Staff made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff who administered medicines had the appropriate training and competency checks. The staff worked closely with the GP and pharmacist to make sure the medicines were managed appropriately.