Whell Care

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 registered manager had implemented learning from a recent inspection of the provider’s homecare service, to make improvements to this service. This included updating medication processes and improving care plans.

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.

Records showed healthcare professionals were involved in people’s care in a timely manner. Staff had a good relationship with the district nurses and had received training from them to effectively support the management of health conditions.

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.

There had been no recent safeguarding incidents. Staff described the steps they would take if they had concerns about - people being abused to ensure their safety.

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 were person-centred, with mitigation in place to support people to live their life safely. A relative confirmed that staff put appropriate safeguards in place to keep people safe at home and in the community.

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

Checks were in place to support staff working alone, to ensure they remained safe. Assessments were in place and staff had received appropriate training to support the use of equipment in the home.

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.

Staff were recruited safely, in line with best practice guidance. Contingency plans were in place to ensure staff were always present should short notice staff absence occur. Staff had received training, including specialist training to support people’s specific healthcare needs.

Regular supervisions too place between the registered manager and staff, some staff found these supportive and others did not.

A staff member said, “In my experience there are normally enough staff available to cover shifts. If there are any staffing issues, management works to arrange cover to ensure people continue to receive safe and effective care and support.”

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 supported people to keep their home clean and tidy to reduce the risk of infection. Staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing personal care.

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 in line with best practice guidance. Staff had specialist training to administer medication. Medicines records were accurately recorded, and regular audits were conducted to ensure medicines were administered safely. The registered manager checks staff competencies regularly.