St Elmos

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 requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to Good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

At our previous inspection, we identified breaches of Regulation 12 (safe care and treatment) and Regulation 18 (Staffing). At this inspection, we found sufficient improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of these regulations.

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. Managers monitored incidents regularly to identify patterns and trends, this supported lessons to be learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

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 had put hospital passports in place in the event a person using the service needed to attend the hospital. This helped to ensure people received continuity in their care. These records included person-centred details, such as whether the person was left- or right- handed.

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. People were supported by staff who understood their safeguarding responsibilities and how to escalate concerns if abuse was identified. Staff told us they had received training in relation to safeguarding. One staff member told us, “I received safeguarding training. I learnt about human rights and that individuals can live free from harm, neglect and abuse. Also, the importance of health and wellbeing.”

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. Risk assessments included people and their relative’s input. They were detailed and provided clear guidance for staff to care for people safely. One relative told us, “Staff keep me informed regarding health matters.”

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 environment was well laid out which included a communal area if people wished to spend time together. The flats were spacious, personalised and adapted to people’s needs.

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. We found that staff were recruited safely. Appropriate checks had been carried out and there were no gaps in the employment history. Staff received training specific to their roles. One staff member told us “I completed an induction when I started. It covered key areas required for my role, including policies and procedures, moving and handling, safeguarding, infection prevention and control, and understanding residents' needs. I also had opportunities to shadow experienced staff before working independently, which helped me feel confident and prepared.”

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 followed cleaning schedules and Personal Protective Equipment was available to staff. Staff received Infection Prevention and Control training and we found people were living in a safe environment that was clean and well managed.

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. Medicines were managed appropriately. The provider carried out regular checks and audits of the medicines therefore ensuring clear oversight. Staff received training in medicines management, and competency assessments were carried out regularly. Staff told us they were confident in administering medicines.