Beeches Care 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

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 requires improvement. At this assessment 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 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.

Records of incidents and accidents were completed and the registered manager reviewed these to identify any themes or trends.

Staff told us they felt confident to speak up if anything went wrong so it could be corrected accordingly.

All the staff we spoke with told us they received the appropriate training to be able to undertake their roles effectively. Staff told us they felt listened to and valued and could approach the deputy manager or registered manager with ease. One staff member said, “[Deputy manager] and [registered manager] complement each other. Together as a team they are brilliant. They are so easy to approach and very supportive.”

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.

Care records confirmed that people had access to a range of health and social care professionals when needed. This included district nurses, the community matron, dieticians, GPs and dentists. Assessments undertaken by professionals were documented in individual files and where needed a care plan was put in place.

One person told us, “All of my needs are catered for. If I am poorly the nurse or the doctor come to see me.”

The provider worked well with people and healthcare partners to fully understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Staff had a clear focus 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 always shared concerns quickly and appropriately.

People were safe from harm and abuse. Safeguarding processes were in place to record and act if abuse was suspected. Any safeguarding concerns were reported appropriately to the local authority. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of the different types of abuse and their responsibilities. People and relatives told us staff treated people well and people felt safe at the service. A relative said, “[Person] is definitely safe here, well cared for and well supported. If there is anything wrong with [them], they pick up on it straight away.”

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.

Systems were in place to assess and manage risks. Risks relating to choking, skin integrity and falls, were identified and mitigated. Staff knew people well and were able to support them appropriately.

Risk assessments were in place and contained person-centred information. Further development was needed for one person who had diabetes. They did not have a risk assessment informing staff of action to take if their blood glucose level was too low or too high. The registered manager told us they would take immediate action to address this.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

Refurbishment had taken place on the new end of life unit and redecoration and replacement flooring had started in other areas. Many of the bedrooms and communal areas needed redecoration. The provider had a refurbishment plan in place which detailed most of the work would be undertaken over the next couple of months.

Safety checks of the premises and equipment were completed. Staff took part in fire drills, so they knew what to do in the event of a fire.

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.

Recruitment procedures were in place to ensure suitable staff were employed and people were safe. Some gaps in employment had not been explored. The registered manager said they would ensure this was addressed.

Staff were competent, knowledgeable and skilled; they carried out their roles effectively. Staff had completed an induction and training programme. Training was taking place at the time of our assessment. Staff told us they felt well supported by the registered manager, deputy manager and other senior staff. One staff member told us, "[Manger is supportive and approachable].”

Generally, people and relatives thought there were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. One person said, “Staff are so attentive and always there when I need 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.

The home was clean and tidy. Task orientated schedules were in place for cleaning, including the cleaning of specialist equipment.

Personal protective equipment was appropriately worn and staff understood procedures for ensuring effective infection, prevention and control.

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.

Medicine administration records and medicine care plans provided information to ensure people received their medicines safely as prescribed. Staff responsible for administering medicines were trained to manage medicines safely.