Dunniwood Lodge

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. 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 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 learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. Accidents and incidents were analysed and trends and patterns identified and used to mitigate future risks. Lessons learned were shared with the staff team to help staff understand what went wrong and what needed to change to improve future practice. This was carried out in a supportive and coaching way.

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. Staff and leaders facilitated safe transitions. Documents were in place to pass on information to relevant others such as hospital staff. Records were clear and detailed how people preferred to be supported and gave information about their medical needs. Details of people’s prescribed medicines were also shared effectively. People and relatives told us they had access to healthcare professionals and care plans were updated to include their advice.

The provider worked with people and healthcare 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. Processes were in place to help staff and leaders safeguard people. People told us staff supported them in a safe way. One relative said, “I feel [family member] is very safe here [Dunniwood Lodge].” Staff received training in safeguarding and understood what actions to take if they suspected abuse.

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. Risks associated with people’s care were identified and managed to keep people safe. For example, where people required a hoist to assist them to safely move position, correct information was contained in people’s care plans to support safe transitions. Where people were at risk of losing weight, plans were in place to ensure fortified foods were encouraged. Staff were aware of people prone to skin damage and completed regular checks to ensure any areas of concern were quickly identified and addressed.

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 care environment was kept safe, people had Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPS) in place to assist with safe evacuation of the home when required. Leaders ensured appropriate checks and maintenance of the environment and equipment took place. The management team completed regular walk round checks of the environment and took appropriate actions to address any concerns.

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. During the assessment we observed staff interacting with people and found there were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and respond to people in a timely way. The provider had a recruitment system which assisted them in the safe recruitment of staff. The provider completed pre-employment checks such as references and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. This information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.

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. We carried out a tour of the home and found the service was clean and well maintained. Cleaning schedules were in place to ensure all areas were deep cleaned and scheduled for daily cleaning. Staff followed safe infection prevention and control procedures to ensure they minimised the risk and spread of 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. People received their medicines as prescribed from staff who were trained and competent in the safe administration of medicines. We saw medicines were stored safely and checks were carried out regularly to ensure stock balances of medicines were correct. People told us they received their medicines as prescribed. One person said, “Yes, I get all my medicines on time.”