Hallam24 Healthcare

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 72 (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. Concerns about safety were listened to and the registered managers investigated and reported safety events. Incident reports were analysed to identify trends and themes. Managers shared lessons learnt with staff to improve safety and minimise the risk of future incidents.

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 provider shared information and updates with other health professionals when required to support people’s needs.

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 worked with people and those important to them to understand what being safe meant to them and how to best support people to stay safe whilst maintaining their independence. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately. Staff had received safeguarding training and knew how to report any concerns.

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 had individual risk assessments in place and the care plans detailed actions to be taken. However, we noted some support plans would have benefited from clearer guidance on the management of risks. We discussed this with the registered manager, who told us they would review and update people's risk assessments to contain further detail and to ensure they were in line with best practice.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Environmental safety checks were in place, ensuring any risks to staff in people’s homes were identified.

The provider did not always make sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff. They did not always make sure staff received effective support, supervision and development. They did not always work together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.

The provider operated safe recruitment practices and only suitable staff were employed to work at the scheme.

Staff received training which helped to ensure they met people’s individual needs. Staff received a mixture of e-learning and in-person practical and theoretical training, which was routinely refreshed as frequently as staff required it including, including practical competency based assessments.

The provider used an electronic call monitoring system for care visits, requiring staff to log in at the start and end of each visit. The system showed that some visits started late or were shorter than scheduled, making it difficult to confirm that all calls were completed as planned. Staff generally felt they had enough time to support people, but some mentioned that travel time between visits was sometimes insufficient, which could affect their visits. One staff member noted, “At times you have to drive for 25 to 30 minutes away, and they only give you 5 minutes of driving time.” We shared these concerns with the management team, who said they would take immediate action to address them.

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. There were infection control policies in place, staff received training in infection prevention and control (IPC). Staff received regular supervision and spot checks which covered IPC practices.

The provider had a shared vision, strategy and culture. This was based on transparency, equity, equality and human rights, diversity and inclusion, engagement, and understanding challenges and the needs of people and their communities.

The management team encouraged people and relatives to express views and concerns. They listened and acted on them to help shape the service and culture.