Tollesby Hall Nursing 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

Safe

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 72 (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.

Records of incidents and accidents were completed and the management team reviewed these to identify any themes or trends.

Staff told us they felt confident to speak up if anything went wrong so it could be corrected accordingly.

All the staff we spoke with told us they received the appropriate training to be able to undertake their roles effectively. Staff told us they felt listened to and valued and could approach the deputy manager or manager with ease. A staff member said, “[Manager] makes us feel like we can go to [them] about anything work related or personal, whilst being professional. [They] are very fair and approachable towards each member of staff.”

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.

Care records confirmed that people had access to a range of health and social care professionals when needed. This included district nurses, the community matron, dieticians, GPs and dentists. Assessments undertaken by professionals were documented in individual files and where needed, a care plan was put in place. One person told us, “I’m going to the dentist next month. The optician comes here to see me.”

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 safe from harm and abuse. Safeguarding processes were in place to record concerns and notifications to the local authority and CQC were made appropriately. Staff were knowledgeable about how to recognise abuse. One staff member said, “We would monitor the person’s health and wellbeing, look out for emotional or physical signs and even psychological.”

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 to people were assessed and plans put in place to reduce the chances of these occurring. People were encouraged to take managed risks to maintain their independence, for example in moving around the service by themselves and outings. Assessments were regularly reviewed to ensure people’s safety.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

Safety checks of the premises and equipment were completed. Staff took part in fire drills, so they knew what to do in the event of a fire. Checks of the environment took place on a regular basis.

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.

Recruitment procedures were in place to ensure suitable staff were employed and people were safe.

Staff were competent, knowledgeable and skilled; they carried out their roles effectively. Staff had completed an induction and training programme. Staff told us they felt well supported by the manager, deputy manager and other senior staff.

People and relatives thought there were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. One person said, “The staff respond fairly quickly. I think the staff give me the support I need even down to a little chat most of the time.”

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.

On the first day of the assessment, we found some areas of the service dusty and in need of cleaning. When we returned for our second day, these areas were seen to be much cleaner. We were informed during the assessment that a new cleaning schedule was to be introduced to ensure deep cleaning within the home. The provider needs to ensure these improvements are sustained.

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.

Staff who managed medicines received training and competency checks to ensure they had the knowledge and skills needed to do so. Medicines were stored safely and securely. A person told us, “They help me with my inhaler, it’s hard for me to press it down.”