Archived: Victoria House 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 – 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.

Records of incidents and accidents were completed and the management team reviewed these to identify any themes or trends. Any areas of concern, or good practice, were identified and shared with the wider staff team. A staff member told us, “Incidents are investigated promptly by our manager. Our senior staff on shift will communicate changes if there are any.”

This practice of continued learning and ongoing improvement was embedded and supported ongoing good practice which improved the safety of people living at the service.

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.

Assessments for people referred to the service were undertaken before they moved in. Staff worked in conjunction with the person, relatives, the current care provider and other professionals. This ensured the person’s needs could be met by the service, and compatibility with existing people was carefully considered to ensure people were suitable to live in the same environment and minimise the risk of any conflict.

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 and act if abuse was suspected. Any safeguarding concerns were reported appropriately to the local authority. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of the different types of abuse and their responsibilities. People and relatives told us staff treated people well and people felt safe at the service. One person said, “The staff are smashing. They are kind and patient. I feel very safe here. I didn’t (feel safe) when I was at home but now, I do.”

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.

The registered manager and staff made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. The provider had systems in place to check on the safety of the environment. For example, regular checks were in place on equipment such as beds, mattresses and window restrictors. The home was well maintained and staff understood how to report any concerns. People and their relatives raised no concerns with the maintenance of a safe home environment. Staff took part in fire drills, so they knew what to do in the event of a fire.

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 registered manager and deputy manager.

The registered manager recognised individual talent in their staff team and supported staff with their progression. The registered manager recognised aspiring managers, a nurse and a senior care assistant had been supported to commence training in leadership to enhance their learning and career development.

People and relatives thought there were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. One person said, “I have never had any reason to think there’s not enough staff as they are always available.”

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.

The provider had policies and training to support good practice. The home was clean and tidy throughout, and we observed staff following best practice. One person said, “They come round, get the hoover out, polish the place, clean bedding and empty my bin.”

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.

There were arrangements in place to ensure people received medicines in a safe way. Medicine administration records and medicine care plans provided information to ensure people received their medicines safely as prescribed. Staff responsible for administering medicines were trained to manage medicines safely.

Medicine audits were completed to ensure safe practices were followed.