Newferry

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 people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. At our last assessment we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to 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.

If further investigations were required, these was completed and lessons learnt were shared with the staff team. Staff had regular spot checks, supervisions and meetings where learning and development were explored and shared. The registered manager, nominated individual and team leaders were proactive in seeking feedback and opportunities to learn and improve 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. Pre-assessment processes and documentation enabled a smooth transition to receive support by Newferry. We saw evidence of referrals to relevant professionals when required. People and their loved ones told us they were confident staff would act when additional advice and support was needed. One person’s loved one said, “Anything we ask they are very good at making things happen and support [relative] best they can. They go above and beyond.”

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 was a safeguarding policy in place and staff were aware how to report any concerns, they were able to describe situations when referrals would be required and what safeguarding meant. One staff member told us, “I would report any signs of neglect, unexplained injuries, sudden behavioural changes, missing medication, financial concerns, missing belongings, restrictions on a person's freedom, or anything that may place a service user at risk.”

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Summaries of people’s needs were easily accessible on the electronic care system, with an overview of the care and support they required. One person’s loved one told us, “I feel they listen to everything we and my [relative] says and they don’t dismiss us or ignore us, they very much listen to everything, the staff we see here and the staff in office.”

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

Environmental risks within people’s own homes were identified at the start of the assessment process. Information to manage risks within people’s homes, such as the risk of fire and trips hazards, was included within care plans, alongside actions staff should take to keep people, relatives and staff safe.

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 recruitment processes were in place with relevant checks of staff’s employment history, character, right to work, and checks with the disclosure and barring service (DBS). Staff we spoke with were very committed and passionate about the work they did at Newferry. Staff had completed their mandatory training and had their competencies assessed when required. Staff were very dedicated to working at Newferry and told us, “I received equipment training during my induction and complete refresher training annually. This includes using hoists, stand aids, wheelchairs, slide sheets, catheter equipment, and other mobility aids safely” and “I have received training in managing behaviours that challenge. I use calm communication, de-escalation techniques, reassurance, distraction, and person-centred approaches while following the individual’s behaviour support plan.”

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.People and their loved ones told us staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and aprons. Staff told us they had enough stocks of PPE and had received infection and prevention training to help them keep their skills and knowledge updated.

The provider made sure medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened. People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. People’s care plans were detailed and reflected their preferences about how they wanted to take their medicines, and this was respected. The registered manager and team leaders undertook regular audits and spot checks to ensure people were receiving their medicines as prescribed. Where errors were identified, we saw appropriate actions were taken.