Sid Bailey 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 – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. This is the first assessment for this service. This key question has been rated 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 strong proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and complete honesty. Staff actively listened to concerns about safety and thoroughly investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were always learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. For example, a lessons learned review was carried out following a person returning to the home after a hospital stay. Due to some issues regarding the process, the management team implemented a ‘move back in’ checklist to ensure smooth transitions in the future. The provider had a robust system in place for monitoring incidents and completed an in-depth trends analysis. Lessons learned were shared with the staff team and appropriate guidance was reiterated. Leaders guided staff in a nurturing and positive way where the whole team learned and were part of improving the service.

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. Pre-assessments were carried out prior to people moving to the home and after prolonged hospital stays. This ensured the service could meet people’s needs safely. Leaders and staff liaised well with healthcare professionals and supported people to access them. One healthcare professional said, “The staff work well with me and other members of the team and seem to take on board recommendations we make, which in turn improve quality of life for the patients.”

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 received appropriate safeguarding training and knew how to recognise and respond to poor practice. The management team had systems and processes in place to ensure action was taken to keep people safe.

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 associated with people’s care were identified and managed to keep people safe. However, we raised a concern with the management team regarding the lack of detail in a moving and handling care plan. The registered manager took swift action to ensure the care plan and risk assessment were updated. We had no concerns regarding moving and handling techniques used by staff, as they knew people well and understood risks. People felt safe living at the service and relatives had confidence staff would provide safe care. One relative said, “[Family member] is safe in the home. The home pay so much attention to detail. They [staff] ring me and keep me informed if anything happens. They [staff] carried out a risk assessment because [family member] has arthritis and mobility is poor. [Family member] has had further risk assessments since their condition has declined dramatically. They [staff] have put crash mats by [family member’s] bed. They [staff] are very proactive and thoughtful.” Another relative said, “[Family member] is perfectly safe. They are in the best care home I know of. They [staff] provide outstanding support and care for both me and my [family member].”

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 had access to equipment they required such as sensor equipment, hoists and pressure relieving cushions and mattresses. Staff had the knowledge and skills to use equipment safely and offered reassurance to people while using it. The building and equipment was well maintained, and systems were in place to ensure items were serviced in line with manufacturers guidance and legal requirements. People had personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPS) in place to safely evacuate the home in an emergency.

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. Staff told us they received training and support and felt the management team were very approachable. One staff member said, “I have had all my supervision and my appraisal while working here I felt supported and was great to have feedback, I always feel supported by my manager.” There were sufficient staff available to meet people’s needs in a timely way. We saw staff responded to people quickly and assisted them in line with their needs. The registered manager had a dependency tool in place to ensure enough staff were available. Staff hours were displayed in the main reception for visitors to see. The registered manager also completed a call monitoring audit, which showed how often people requested support and how long they had waited for staff. This information was also used to calculate the numbers of staff required. People and relatives told us there were enough staff to keep them safe. One relative said, “No problems with staffing at all. When I visit there are plenty of staff on duty for me to speak to. They attend to [family member] straight away. I know there are plenty of staff as there is a board in the entrance which shows the staffing ratio each day.” Another relative said, “I think there are enough staff. I have never had any worries. There is always a member of staff in the lounge with residents.” The provider had a safe recruitment process to ensure staff were suitable for working with vulnerable adults. However, during the process of assessment, we received some concerns regarding recruitment. The registered manager took appropriate action to find a swift resolution.

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 were knowledgeable about minimising the spread of infections and used personal protective equipment when required. We carried out a tour of the home and checked areas for cleanliness. We found the home was kept well maintained so furnishings and fittings were able to be cleaned effectively. Bathrooms, toilets, and communal areas were all well presented.

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 received their medicines as prescribed by staff who were trained and competent in the safe administration of medicines. We observed staff administering medicines and found they took time to explain what the medicines were for and supported people with drinks to take them. People told us they received their medicines regularly. One relative said, “No problems with medication. They [staff] tell me if it has changed. A tabard is worn when giving out medication. They also apply cream to [family members] skin.” Another relative said, “[Family member] gets their medication when they need it. There have been no problems. They watch [family member] take it as I have been made aware that at times [family member] has spat their tablets out.”