South Moor Lodge 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

This means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained 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 ensured the service had a proactive learning culture. Staff raised any concerns about people’s safety and wellbeing with management and senior staff. Lessons were learned from accidents, incidents and complaints to reduce the risk of future incidents. Where shortfalls in staff practice or processes were identified, these were addressed appropriately, to ensure people lived in a safe environment and received care which reflected good practice.

The provider ensured there were robust systems in place to monitor and manage people’s safety. The registered manager and staff worked well with community agencies to ensure people received the care they needed to maintain their safety. Referrals were made to community agencies when people needed specialist support and information was shared with ambulance and hospital staff when people attended hospital.

The provider had a Business Continuity Plan, which included the action to be taken in the event of incidents such as severe weather, outbreak of infection, flood and fire. This meant there was a safe system in place to ensure that, during periods of potential disruption, people would remain safe and supported.

The provider had systems to ensure people were protected from abuse, neglect and avoidable harm. The registered manager investigated safeguarding incidents thoroughly and reported them to the local authority and CQC when appropriate. Staff completed safeguarding training and those we spoke with were aware of the action to take if they suspected abuse or neglect was taking place. No-one we spoke with raised any concerns regarding neglect or abuse.

People were supported in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The registered manager ensured people’s capacity to make decisions about their care was assessed. When people lacked the capacity to express their views, their relatives or representatives were consulted to ensure any decisions made were in their best interests. When people were being deprived of their liberty to keep them safe, appropriate authorisation had been requested.

The provider ensured risks to people’s health and wellbeing were managed well, by providing people with safe care which reflected what mattered to them. People and relatives told us staff provided safe care. One person commented, “I feel safe here. They are very kind and caring. I am happy.” A relative told us, “It was the home’s idea about getting [family member] a frame to support her walking. They are very good like that.”

Care documentation included information about people’s needs and risks to guide staff on how to support them safely. We noted some care plans contained inconsistent information about people’s needs and risks; however, we found no evidence that this had resulted in people experiencing inappropriate care. We discussed this with the registered manager who resolved the issue quickly. They told us they would review everyone’s care documentation to ensure it consistently reflected people’s needs and risks.

The provider ensured potential risks in the care environment were monitored and managed appropriately. Checks of the safety of the home environment, such as equipment and fire safety, were completed regularly, which helped ensure people were protected from the risk of avoidable harm.

An internal legionella risk assessment had been completed, and appropriate checks of water safety were being completed regularly. At the time of the assessment, an external legionella risk assessment by a legionella specialist had not yet been completed. The provider arranged for this to be completed shortly after our visits. Legionella is a bacteria found in water which can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a flu-like illness.

The provider ensured there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. Most people and relatives were happy with staffing levels at the service. They told us, “They (staff) are always passing by and saying hello. I get the help I need” and “I think they have enough (staff). There are usually staff around in the lounges.” Some felt additional staff were needed during busier times, and we shared this with the registered manager and provider. During the assessment we noted staff were visible around the service and people’s needs were met in a timely way.

Staff were recruited safely and completed the training necessary to support people well. They received regular supervision and support from management and senior staff. People and relatives told us staff were well trained and provided appropriate care.

The provider had effective processes in place to ensure people lived in a clean environment and were protected from the risk of infection. We found the service environment clean, and people and relatives told us they were happy with standards of cleanliness. They told us, “I do have cleaners who come in, it’s spotless. They change the bedding and what clothes you take off at night are washed and you have clean clothes on every day” and “They keep the place very nice and clean.”

Staff completed infection prevention and control (IPC) training, and we observed safe IPC practices during our assessment.

The provider and registered manager ensured medicines were managed safely, in line with national guidance. Staff had completed appropriate training and their competence to administer medicines safely had been assessed. People’s medicines were discussed when them or their representatives when they first came to live at the service and during regular reviews. People told us they received their medicines as and when they should, including pain relief. A relative commented, “They [staff] do the medication well and they had a smooth transfer over of the medication to the home.”