7 Valleys 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. 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 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. At the time of inspection no accidents or incidents had occurred at the service. Policies and processes were in place to learn and improve. Accurate records were kept by staff and the registered manager collated and audited these.

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. Accurate records were maintained which were accessible to health care partners should these be needed. Records showed that where people had input from health and social care professions, this information was included in people’s care plans.

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. There had been no safeguarding concerns raised in relation to the service. Processes were in place to manage concerns should these arise. Staff were trained in how to identify and report safeguarding 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. Assessments of people’s needs were thorough and kept under continual review. People were supported by a consistent staff team who knew them well. People and relatives were involved in the care planning process and subsequent reviews. A relative told us, “The initial assessment was really useful, it was good to sit down face to face with someone as [relative] is quite complex so it was useful to be able to explain everything in person.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. The registered manager undertook a comprehensive assessment of the care environment prior to the commencement of care and support. These included checks on any equipment that may be in place, health and safety risks to people and staff, lighting and fire risk assessments.

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 that staff arrived on time, and they were supported by a consistent staff team. Records showed that staff training was up to date. Staff told us the training they received helped them to feel confident in their roles. A staff member told us, “The training is very good, everything is broken down, so it sticks in your mind, the training is practical, and things are demonstrated well.” Some historical recruitment checks were not robust, however the provider had taken subsequent corrective actions to ensure that staff were safe to work with people. The provider was reminded of guidelines in relation to recruitment. The registered manager undertook regular observations of staff practice to ensure high quality care was delivered consistently.

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 had access to adequate stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) and checks were in place to ensure staff used this appropriately. Staff received training in infection prevention and control that was kept up to date.

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. Staff received training in regards medicines administration and their competence in this area were assessed regularly. Where staff supported people with their medicines administration records were completed and reviewed regularly by the registered manager.