LOYALTY 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 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.

There was a learning culture. There were systems to investigate and respond to accidents, incidents and complaints. The registered manager investigated these and worked with staff to help them improve practice. The registered manager discussed incidents with people using the service to understand their perspective and help them reflect on changes they may want. The registered manager discussed best practice and learning from incidents in team meetings.

People were supported with safe transitions and pathways. The registered manager assessed their needs and ensured they were happy with planned care. They introduced new care workers to help people and staff get to know each other. There were clear care records which included information about people’s health needs, risks and how they communicated. These records were available to share with other professionals when needed to help ensure continuity of care.

There were systems to help safeguard people from abuse. Staff undertook training to understand these. The registered manager tested staff knowledge and discussed processes for safeguarding people during individual and team meetings. The registered manager understood their responsibility to report any allegations of abuse and to work with the safeguarding authority to investigate concerns and protect people from avoidable harm. People using the service and their relatives felt safe. Their comments included, “I always feel safe with the care workers” and “I trust them.”

The provider assessed and planned for risks to people’s safety and wellbeing. They involved people in this process and supported positive risk taking. They shared information with staff to help them understand this and to ensure people were not restricted. Risk management plans were clear and focussed on outcomes for people and the least restrictive ways to keep them safe. The registered manager regularly reviewed and updated risk assessments. The provider developed additional guidance and information for staff to help them understand about risks in care settings.

The provider assessed people’s home environments to ensure these were safe for them and staff. When risks were identified, the registered manager discussed these with people and their relatives to help them consider ways to mitigate these risks.

There were enough staff to care for people and meet their needs. People were cared for by the same familiar care workers. They told us staff arrived on time and had the skills they needed. Their comments included, “They arrive on time and provide the care I need” and “We have the same regular care workers, and they turn up on time.”

There were systems to ensure staff were suitable through a range of recruitment checks. All staff completed a comprehensive induction. The registered manager regularly assessed their skills, knowledge and competencies. Staff had regular individual and team meetings with their line manager to discuss their work.

There were systems to prevent and control infections. Staff completed training to understand these. Staff received personal protective equipment such as gloves. A person told us, “[Staff] always use gloves when needed, wash their hands and follow good hygiene practices.” The registered manager carried out spot checks to observe staff providing support. Part of these checks included looking at whether infection prevention and control processes were followed. The provider discussed best practice in team meetings and tested staff knowledge about these processes.

People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. The registered manager discussed their medicines with them, assessed risks and created plans to manage these. People were supported to be independent in this area when they wanted, and this was safe for them. The provider kept information about people’s medicines and any effects staff needed to be aware of. Staff undertook training about medicines, and the registered manager assessed their competencies and knowledge. Staff kept records to show when medicines had been administered, and the registered manager carried out audits.