Upton House

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 inspection we rated this key question Requires Improvement. At this inspection the rating has changed to 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 positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. The registered manager reviewed incident reports for any patterns or themes and acted if an issue was identified to prevent it happening again. The registered manager was open, informing people and their loved ones of incidents and accidents. A relative told us they were kept informed about their loved one’s health and wellbeing.

The provider worked with people and partner agencies to ensure people received safe care. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. Assessments of people’s needs were carried out with them and developed into a care plan. A relative told us they looked around the home before their loved one moved in and had been involved in the assessment process. The provider had introduced a new electronic care planning system. Staff were in the process of transferring information from paper records to the new system. Referrals had been made for additional support to occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists.

People were protected from abuse, harm and discrimination. People told us they felt safe and we observed that people looked comfortable and relaxed. The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities to safeguard people and reported any concerns appropriately. Staff were trained and competent at recognising and reporting abuse. Staff were able to tell us about different and signs types of abuse and knew who they could report to. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Potential risks to people had been assessed and were being managed. One person told us they were pleased they had a lower bed as this made them feel safer at night. Following the last inspection guidance had been updated and improved so it was clearer for staff on how to mitigate risks. The registered manager knew this detail must be transferred to the new electronic care planning system. Staff knew people very well and told us how they managed risks.

The registered manager continued to check the environment and equipment to ensure people’s safety. Environmental risks were identified and controlled. The risk of fire had been assessed and staff had been trained in what to do in the event of an emergency. The fire system had been improved with additional staff on duty at night to mitigate risks to people. People told us their rooms were comfortable and we saw people enjoying the gardens which had level access and paths.

There were enough skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs. People were very complimentary about the staff; one person described the staff as ‘all wonderful’. We observed kind and friendly interactions and it was clear that staff knew people well. We observed two staff moving a person with a hoist, they were calm, patient and reassuring to the person. Staff told us they felt supported and had regular supervision with a line manager. Recruitment checks were carried out to ensure staff were safe to work with people.

The risk of infection was assessed and managed. Housekeepers were employed and the home was clean and hygienic. One person told us their room was kept ‘beautifully clean’. People said they were satisfied with the laundry service and had no complaints about the cleanliness of the home. Staff were trained in preventing and controlling the spread of infection. We saw staff using personal protective equipment appropriately.

Medicines were managed safely. Guidelines for people taking medicines on a when needed basis had been updated. Stock checks and audits of records were carried out and any discrepancies investigated. Handwritten entries on medicine records were now checked and double signed to ensure accuracy. We observed that medicines were given to people safely and respectfully and medicine records were accurate. Medicines were stored securely. People told us they received their medicines on time and were happy with the system.