Dynamic Viewpoint Healthcare Limited

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. This is the first assessment for this newly registered service. This key question has been rated good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 78 (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.

Accidents and incidents had been documented and appropriate action taken to minimise future risks. The registered manager had oversight of these to identify any specific learning or development points for staff. Staff told us that they felt confident raising concerns and were given the opportunity to learn when things had gone wrong.

The provider always worked with people and healthcare partners to design, establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was always well managed and monitored. They made sure there was always continuity of care, including when people moved between different services.

The provider had a robust assessment process in place that started well before a person started receiving a direct service. They provided support to people with complex needs and worked closely alongside external professionals to ensure a smooth and safe transition between care settings. For example, a person was in a rehabilitation centre prior to starting a care package with Dynamic. The management team, along with staff who would be supporting the individual, travelled to the service, to work with and learn from the staff who were already supporting the person. This enabled them to gain the skills and knowledge of specific care processes to allow the person to return home rather than needing a more restrictive placement. This had a significantly positive impact on both the person and their family. One staff member told us, “We work alongside other professionals, whether it is hospital staff, GPs, social workers. That way we really get to know what people need. Like with [person], we went to learn from those who knew to allow us to support them in the best way possible.” A person also told us, “I’ll be here all day if I told you all what they did to go above and beyond. They are truly a brilliant company.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. 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 shared concerns quickly and appropriately.

Staff had undertaken specific training in how to safeguard people and demonstrated a good knowledge of what to report and when. The management team had worked alongside the local authority to investigate any concerns. People and their relatives told us that they felt safe with staff. One relative told us, “I have no problem leaving [person] with them which I was worried about initially. Whatever I ask for or [person] asks for they go above their remit to help us out. Another told us, “The main reason we got them in is because [person] is unsteady when they get in and out of the shower. [Staff] stand outside the door and when they finish in the shower they go in and help. [Person] feels really safe with them.”

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.

Risks had been assessed, and care plans provided guidance to staff on how to mitigate these. For example, clear instructions were provided on how to precisely tilt or turn a person to ensure they did not develop pressure areas. Where people had specialist equipment in place, there was clear guidance for staff on how to use this. The management team worked closely with people and their families to discuss risks and how to minimise these in the least restrictive way. One relative told us, “The hospital said they weren’t happy with the bed being upstairs. [Dynamic] did everything to lower the risks. They moved the bed downstairs for [person] to come home to.”

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

Staff regularly checked in with both each other and the management team to ensure they were safe, and that people received their care calls in a timely manner. Any additional risks which may have been identified during a care visit regarding the environment were handed over between staff members. Risks associated with the environment, for example, where people had pets, had been considered and were documented in care plans.

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 safe with staff and there were enough staff to ensure their care needs were met. One relative told us, “They never make [person] feel rushed. We have an hour in the morning so staff can go at [person’s] speed.” A person added, “There’s two new [staff] now, but they always come with somebody. All of them have the kind personality, [registered manager] picks the staff well. The staff that come all want to do the job well.” Staff also reported that staffing levels were sufficient, one staff member told us, “According to the number of people, we have enough staff. Everyone is quite near to each other so travelling between calls is no trouble.”

Staff had received appropriate training to fulfil their role, including specific training to provide complex care where needed. A robust induction process was in place for new starters. One staff member told us, “I did 2 weeks induction and shadowing with a team leader and senior carer. I was allocated time to do e-learning followed by face-to-face training.” Staff felt supported in their roles and received regular supervision and spot checks. One staff member said, “We receive supervision every 8 weeks and we are free to air our views or concerns. These are listened to and are dealt with accordingly.”

The provider had a robust recruitment policy in place and followed this appropriately. This included completing a number of checks before a person started work, for example, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

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 management team had appropriate policies and procedures in place to prevent and control any infection risks. Staff members told us they had received training in this area and received regular ‘spot checks’ to ensure they were using personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly. People and their relatives spoke positively about staff maintaining a clean and safe environment.

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 was managed safely, and records were up to date and accurate. Not everyone in receipt of a service received support with their medicines. However, those who did spoke positively about the way staff helped them with this. Staff received appropriate training and checks to ensure they remained competent to support people where needed. The management team undertook regular audits of medicines. Any issues identified were dealt with swiftly. The service had an up-to-date medicine policy which staff demonstrated good knowledge of.