Hummingbird Homecare Yeovil

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 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 learned to continually identify and embed good practice. Incidents,accidents and safety events were investigated fully. Outcomes were recorded and staff were encouraged to reflect on their practices through 1:1 meetings with supervisors. In one example, staff had reported a concern with the language being used on a care call. The management team investigated the concern and wrote a letter to apologise for any offence caused. Learning was embedded in the service. Feedback from people and relatives was positive about how complaints had been managed.

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 plans contained detailed information about people. Staff knew people well and could meet their needs. Most people told us they had regular staff which meant they were able to build up a relationship and trust with staff.

The provider worked with people and health care 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.

Relatives told us they felt safe using the service. One relative said, “Yes definitely – They’re always very friendly- they always turn up.”Safeguarding processes were managed effectively. Concerns were investigated thoroughly and actions were followed up. Staff were knowledgeable about how to protect people from harm.

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 told us they were involved in their care plan, one person said, “Yes,they’re very accommodating, they follow the care plan, if the care plan needs to be changed,we go through an exercise to amend it.” Risks of harm to people were mitigated and recorded. Staff had guidance in care documents when needed. Staff understood how to manage risks. Safety events were recorded and investigated.

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 provider carried out checks on the care environment. Where risks were identified measures were put in place to mitigate them.

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 received training in a range of topics to enable them to do their role well. The provider carried out background checks on staff prior to them beginning in their role. The provider recruited staff safely. Staff received regular supervision which allowed them to seek guidance and advice when needed.

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 used personal protective equipment (PPE) effectively. One person said, “Yes, they [wear PPE] all the time, they use gloves.” Staff were aware and trained in the prevention of spreading infections.

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. The provider had an effective process for the safe administration of medicine. Audits were regularly carried out by managers. Staff received training in the safe administration of medicines.