Napier Lodge Limited

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.

A staff member told us, “We can report incidents to the registered manager and CQC if needed. All staff get a debrief afterwards.”

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.

Pre-admission assessments included information and recommendations from healthcare professionals to ensure people’s needs could be met. A staff member said, “We receive care plans and handovers when people move to the service.”

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 and relatives told us people felt safe. A relative commented, “I’ve never been concerned about safety here, I’ve no need to be.” Staff had received up to date safeguarding training and knew how to report any incidents. A staff member said, “We have all had Safeguarding training and know the signs to look for.”

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.

Staff assessed and managed risks to people’s health, safety and wellbeing effectively. People and relatives were involved in care planning and risk management. A relative said, “I’m 100% involved. All decisions are made with me.”

People’s records contained risk assessments that were clear, regularly reviewed and up to date which supported staff to meet people’s needs whilst minimising the risks. A staff member commented, “We know when different people are distressed and how to support them as individuals.”

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 premises were safe. There were environmental risk assessments in place including fire, and regular checks and testing of the premises and equipment. A staff member said, “It (the home) is very safe. Equipment is checked often.”

Each person living in the home had a personal emergency evacuation plan in place. This is a document that describes the help a person will need to evacuate the service in an emergency.

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.

The provider followed recruitment procedures to ensure all required checks were completed before staff started work at the service. All staff members completed full induction training.

People and relatives felt staff were trained and experienced in their roles. A relative described staff as “dedicated and wonderfully caring.”

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 the required infection control guidelines and wore appropriate PPE when supporting people. Staff completed annual IPC training.

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 stored safely, including those that required cold storage and extra security. People received their medicines safely and as prescribed.

Regular medicine checks and audits were carried out to identify any errors and take appropriate action. A staff member told us, “Medicines are audited weekly. Excess medicines are returned for disposal regularly and without delay.”