19 August 2016
During a routine inspection
Overall we rated this service as good. We rated safe as requires improvement;, effective, responsive and well led as good and caring as outstanding. This was because:
We rated safe as requires improvement because we found that whilst patients were protected from avoidable harm and abuse, they were not assessed for all risks. We found that staff compliance with mandatory training was low and we found that some medicines were not kept locked up. However we also found that staffing levels were good and that staff knew how and when to report incidents and that they received feedback and the learning from incidents.
We rated effective as good because we found that there were policies and pathways in place to support staff when caring for patients but these did not always have reference to best practice guidance. Audits were undertaken and when necessary action plans were created. There was clear, effective multi-disciplinary team working and positive collaboration with external partners in care. Staff were qualified but not all had an up to date appraisal.
We rated caring as outstanding because we saw consistently positive interaction between patients and staff and the feedback we received from patients and those close to them was also positive.
We rated responsive as good because services were planned to meet the needs of patients. The patient group cared for were vulnerable, in that they were confused due to an acute illness or they had a diagnosis of dementia. The unit was designed specifically around the needs of these patients. There had been no formal complaints about the service.
We rated well led as good because staff were aware of the vision and strategy for the unit. Staff told us that managers were visible and supportive. We saw that staff and patient engagement was seen as a priority by the provider and staff were encouraged to suggest ideas for improvement and innovation.