Eternity 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. 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. The provider had systems in place to record and analyse accidents and incidents and learnt lessons when things went wrong.

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. The provider assisted people to access safe systems of care such as external professionals. One professional said, “All of the interactions we have had [with Eternity Healthcare] were positive. They asked for advice when they had concerns about a client and they listened and would follow guidance given. They were easy to work alongside as they would listen and collaborate with our staff, getting in touch when agreed and completing agreed actions. We never had any cause for concern based on the interactions that we had.”

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. Staff received training in safeguarding adults and knew what action to take if they had any concerns. One staff member said, “I would immediately inform the management of my concerns, and I am very confident that they would take the appropriate action required. If not I would report my concerns directly to the local authorities myself bypassing the management.” The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) provides a legal framework for making decisions on behalf of people

who may lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. The Act requires that, as far as possible, people make their own decisions and are helped to do so when needed. When they lack mental capacity to take decisions, any made on their behalf must be in their best interests and as least restrictive as possible. People can only be deprived of their liberty so that they can receive care and treatment when this is in their best interest and legally authorised under the MCA. For people living in their own home, applications must be made to the Court of Protection.

We looked at the organisation's policy for gaining consent for the care which was provided. We saw the policy was very detailed and explained the need for consent and how this was to be gained. Care staff we spoke with told us they gained consent from people before carrying out personal care and respected people's choice.

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. Staff had access to clear guidance which detailed how care should be carried out safely. However, where hoists were in use to assist people to transfer position, loop configurations were not in place. We raised this with the registered manager who took appropriate action to ensure this information was available. Staff were knowledgeable about risks associated with people’s care and could describe how people’s needs were met safely. One staff member said, “I have completed moving and handling training, including the safe use of hoists and other mobility equipment.” Another staff member said, “[I manage people’s risks] by balancing safety and protection with the individual’s right to make choices and promote their independence.”

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 provider worked in partnership with other professionals. Care documentation considered risks associated with the care environment and actions were taken to enhance safety. For example, the management team worked with the local fire service to ensure a safe environment was promoted for 1 person due to risks linked with cigarettes and smoking.

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. The provider had a safe recruitment system in place which assisted them in recruiting suitable staff. Staff received an induction which included training and shadowing experienced workers until they felt comfortable to carry out their roles well. One staff member said, “l received training and support to carry out my role effectively. l have supervisions and appraisals and they are supportive. l feel supported by my manager.” Another staff member said, “I do receive training and support, and I have undergone numerous training courses for refresher purposes and also to upgrade my skills and competence.”

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 received training in infection prevention and control and had access to personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff meetings were used to reiterate the importance of infection control and good hand hygiene. One relative said, “Staff always wear PPE, for example they use shoe coverings as soon as they enter the house and plastic gloves and aprons.”

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 by staff who were trained and competent to administer medicines. One staff member said, “Relevant staff receive medication training, and procedures are followed carefully.”