Eastbury Nursing Home

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 process to investigate and review complaints, incidents and accidents to enable them to identify possible actions to reduce further risk. The manager explained that if an incident, accident or complaint was received, an investigation would be carried out to identify possible actions which could be taken to reduce risks. The manager said they would have a meeting with any staff directly involved and then it would be discussed with other staff during the handover meeting. This meant all staff on shift including night staff were also made aware of what had happened. The issue would also be added to the next staff meeting agenda for discussion. Care plans and risk assessments were updated if any changes in the person’s support needs were identified. Staff confirmed that when an incident or accident had occurred it was discussed during the handover at the end of every shift and at other meetings with senior staff where actions were identified.

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. The manager explained they carried out an assessment of the person’s support needs before they moved in, and the nurse used this information to develop the person’s care plan and risk assessment. The provider enabled people to access to access external services to support their health and wellbeing. The person’s care plan identified any healthcare professional involved in the person’s care. The manager told us they worked closely with the community matrons, care home pharmacy and NHS discharge coordinators to support people to access the care they required.

The provider had processes in place to identify, respond to and investigate when concerns are raised about the care they provide. When a concern was identified the provider worked with the local authority. Safeguarding records showed the provider undertook an investigation which included, when required, obtaining statements from those involved. Following the investigation actions for improvement were identified. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the term safeguarding which included how to identify and report possible abuse. People and relatives confirmed they felt care was provided in a safe and appropriate manner. People were comfortable with the staff, were able express their views and wishes especially if they were unhappy and were listened to.

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. People explained they felt safe living at Eastbury Nursing Home with 1 person commenting, “I do feel safe because this is a good place with good people who are working to help us.” Relatives also told us they felt their family members were safe with 1 relative saying, “My relative is very much safe, no questions about it.” The manager stated they worked with people and their families to identify possible risks and how the person could be supported. People’s care plans included a range of risk assessments which provided staff with guidance on how to support people and manage possible risks. These included skin integrity management, choking, nutrition and continence care. There were also risk assessments for specific medical conditions or support needs, such as diabetes, the person’s mental health needs and neurological conditions. These provided staff with detailed guidance on how the specific condition or support need, and they could provide care for the person. The manager told us, “Our service supports a proactive approach to anticipating and managing risks which are person centred and proportionate. Restrictions are minimised so that people feel safe but also have the most freedom possible regardless of disability or any other need.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. People were supported to personalise their bedrooms. The communal areas provided a range of seating to meet people’s needs. There was enough space around the furniture to enable people to mobilise around the lounge either independently or with support of staff. There was a conservatory area and a garden which people could access. The garden had flat, level paving and pathways at an appropriate gradient to enable people to safely access all the areas. The manager confirmed a range of environmental assessments were carried out which reviewed maintenance of bathrooms, the lift, moving and handling equipment and electrical equipment. Checks were also carried out on food hygiene, cleaning and other possible environmental risks to people’s health and wellbeing.

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. People told us they felt there were enough staff on duty, they knew what they were doing and how to support people. A person said, “Very much safe here, staff are plenty, come all the time and they are all good.” The daily rota identified the nurse on duty and which staff were going to support people who required 1 to 1. Other staff were allocated to support other people living at the nursing home. We observed there were always staff available to support people and staff also had time to sit and chat and do activities with people. The provider had a clear recruitment process for new staff which enabled them to identify applicants with the required skills. The recruitment process included checks on the applicants right to work in the United Kingdom, their experience, employment history and a criminal records check. New staff completed a number of training courses as part of their induction including training on specific medical conditions such as diabetes, dementia epilepsy and autism. In addition to the main training courses nurses completed additional courses including medication, catheter care, wound management, end of life care and sepsis awareness.

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 told us they had completed infection prevention and control training and had access to personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and aprons. Staff were able to show their understanding of the importance of good infection control practices when providing care. Staff could access PPE around the home with storage units located on both floors. People and relatives confirmed staff used PPE, and this was also observed during the assessment. A relative told us, “[Staff] wear aprons all the time, they keep all residents safe and clean.” The manager explained they carried out checks on staff to assess if they were following best practice as well as completing infection control and prevention audits.

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. People’s care plans identified if they required their medicines to be administered and how they should be supported. The care plans included a list of the prescribed medicines and how these should be administered. Medicines were kept securely and at an appropriate temperature. Medicines that were in their original packages including creams had the date of opening recorded to ensure they were used while in date. A nurse confirmed they had completed medicines administration training as well as phlebotomy training to assist in their role. The manager explained that nurses and senior staff completed a medicines competency assessment each year to review their knowledge. The medicines administration audits were carried out regularly and annual reviews were carried out by the care home pharmacy service.