Red Brick House

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 inspection we rated this key question requires improvement. At this inspection the rating has changed to 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. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. People received safe care because staff learned from safety alerts and incidents to reduce the risk of re-occurrence. Any incidents about people's safety were discussed with staff in a timely way, with action taken to mitigate further risks. A staff member commented, “We are encouraged to report any incidents, we get feedback, and learning is shared with the staff team.”

Staff at the service worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. A professional commented, “Referrals are appropriate and timely, and staff follow any recommendations I make.” Staff made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. Information was collected before people started to use the service, and a detailed hospital passport was prepared to ensure their needs could be met, if they moved elsewhere. A person told us, “Staff share information I need to take to hospital; they are organised.”

Staff worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They 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 service shared concerns quickly and appropriately.People and relatives told us they felt safe, they would speak with staff if they were worried, and they always felt listened to. Their comments included, “[Name] is safe, it is great here, perfect”, “I am safe, I do my own thing” and “Staff talk to me about safety.”

Staff worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them.Staff supported people safely and appropriate equipment was available if people needed assistance. A person told us, “Staff talk about the risks. They oversee me in the shower; in case I fall.” Risks were assessed and any identified risk was transferred to care plans. Care plans contained guidance for staff to follow to keep people safe, including how to respond when people became distressed. A professional commented, “Staff are good at observing and collecting information when someone becomes distressed and agitated.”

Staff at the service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Equipment was regularly serviced to maintain safety. A person commented, “Staff watch me walking, anything I want they help me, I have had 1 fall, nothing since. I have now got a sensor mat, a bed rail and a high low bed.”

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.There were sufficient staff to support people safely. A person told us, “Staff are always there when you need them.” Another person commented, “Staff come to check on me, I do not need to use the buzzer.” Staff were appropriately recruited to ensure they were safe to work with people.

Staff assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.Staff told us personal protective equipment (PPE) and all cleaning materials needed were available. They confirmed they had received infection control training. There were cracked tiles and worn flooring in some of the bathrooms and lavatories, which could have increased the risk of infection. This was immediately addressed by the provider, and flooring and tiles were replaced after our inspection. There were other areas of the home where paint was chipped, walls were marked, making surfaces harder to clean and impacting good infection prevention and control. The manager told us this would be addressed. There was a programme of refurbishment around the home, and some areas had been decorated and new dining furniture ordered. However, we identified other areas of the home were showing signs of wear and tear. We discussed this with the manager and received an action plan with completion dates.

Staff at the service made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. They involved people in planning, including when changes happened to people’s medicines. People’s records included information on how people took their medicines. A person told us, “I get my tablets are on time, if I have a new tablet, staff tell me.” Records of regular medicines were well-maintained and followed national guidance including recording people’s allergies.