Brisca 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 inspection of 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. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. When accidents and incidents occurred, staff took appropriate action including seeking medical attention. The registered manager had a process in place to review incidents that occurred to identify any trends, patterns and lessons learnt and to share with staff to reduce risks to people.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. Systems were in place to ensure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. A relative commented, “Communication is good. Other care companies could not do 2 carers. The transition was seamless. I did not need to worry about anything.” The registered manager visited people to assess people’s needs and agree the level of support they needed. New staff were introduced to people, and information shared with staff via electronic care planning. A relative commented, “If there are new staff they come with staff who know [Name] and show them what to do. They always introduce new staff to us both.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. Staff and leaders had received training in safeguarding adults and safeguarding children and understood their responsibilities in reporting safeguarding concerns to the appropriate agencies. Staff members’ comments included, “I have done adult and children safeguarding training” and “If I had any concerns, I would report them.”

Staff worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. The registered manager had completed risk assessments for people and had put measures in place to mitigate those risks. Identified risk was transferred to a care plan with detail for staff to mitigate the risks. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. A relative commented, “[Name] is 100% safe with staff. They make it all fun with all [Name]’s care. They joke with [Name] to make them feel comfortable.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. A relative commented, “[Name] is safe when staff hoist them. They give [Name] plenty of reassurance. They make sure [Name] is safe and comfortable and fasten them into the hoist to keep them safe. Staff always check the straps are fastened properly. I am very confident [Name] is safe with them.” Risks associated with people’s individual environments were assessed before staff started supporting people within their homes.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. Staff received mandatory, developmental and induction training in courses such as safeguarding adults, safeguarding children, learning disability and autism, infection control, food and nutrition and equality and diversity. They received ongoing support from the service to carry out their roles safely. Staff worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. A person told us, “I do feel safe with staff. It is all very easy as they run a good service. I think the staff are well trained, so I feel safe.” Rosters were managed effectively so people received care when they needed it. Staff told us rosters were well-managed, and they worked in the same geographical area, so did not need to travel far between calls. People received care from a reliable and consistent team. A relative commented, “There are consistent staff, we find out from carers who is coming the next day. It is like a rota. If it is a new member of staff, they come with someone who knows [Name].” Safe recruitment practices were followed to help ensure people were protected from staff unsuitable to work in the care sector.

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 told us they had access to the personal protective equipment (PPE) they required, and people confirmed staff wore PPE when required. A relative commented, “Staff wear a mask if necessary but always gloves and an apron and feet covers.” Staff received infection control training and competency checks.

Medicines were managed safely. Medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Medicines records were in place. There were policies and processes in place to ensure people received their medicines safely. Staff received training and competency checks to observe how they managed people’s medicines safely. A relative told us, “If [Name]’s medicines are getting a bit low they let me know. They make sure [Name] gets them every day.”