Kinetic Nursing Services

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 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. There was a positive learning culture in the service. The provider reviewed accidents and incidents and identified trends and lessons which could be learned. Learning was shared at team meetings to support continuous service improvement.

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. The provider carried out assessments and reviews of people’s care and support when they were new to the service or when they moved between services. Social care professionals told us how the provider supported people as they transitioned through services and support. One person told us, “I needed to find another alternative provider to support a person at short notice. Kinetic Nursing Services stepped in and I was impressed by their professional attitude. They followed all support plan instructions and members of staff showed empathy and respect to the person. Kinetic Nursing Services were clear with what they could offer and they delivered it professionally and competently.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way for this to be achieved. 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 and there were appropriate policies, systems and processes in place to keep people safe. People told us they felt safe with members of staff. One family member said, "I have absolutely no worries about leaving [family member] with any of the care staff. I’m content with them all and think they are very safe." Members of staff confirmed they knew what action to take it they felt people were at risk of harm or abuse. One member of staff told us, “I have access to Kinetic Nursing Service’s safeguarding and whistleblowing policies. If I suspected abuse, I would ensure the person’s immediate safety, report the concern to the out on-call manager without delay, record factual information accurately and follow our safeguarding procedures. If there was immediate risk, I would contact emergency services.”

The provider followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) to review people’s capacity and understanding around receiving care and support. The MCA provides a legal framework for making particular decisions on behalf of people who may lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. The MCA requires that, as far as possible, people make their own decisions and are helped to do so when needed. When they lack mental capacity to take particular decisions, any made on their behalf must be in their best interests and as least restrictive as possible. People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment when this is in their best interests and legally authorised under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA). In care homes, and some hospitals, this is usually through MCA application procedures called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We found the service was working within the principles of the MCA and if needed, appropriate legal authorisations were in place to deprive a person of their liberty.

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Members of staff provided care to meet people’s needs which was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things which mattered to them. Care plans were person-centred and risk assessments were completed appropriately which ensured care was delivered in line with care plans. The provider supported positive risk taking for people which enabled them to live their lives as they wished. For example, people with capacity were supported to make lifestyle choices and decision which may, at times, be considered unwise. Where people needed specialist equipment to support their breathing, their care plan contained detailed processes and information for members of staff to read and follow. This ensured safe use of the equipment to meet people’s specific care needs. A member of staff us about how they access and use people’s care plans to deliver safe care, “I read people’s care plans and risk assessments before I provide care, especially when I am new to supporting someone. I also review them regularly, such as at the start of shifts, when there are changes in the person’s needs, or after any incident or review. This helps me make sure the care I provide is safe, person-centred, and in line with the person’s preferences, choices, and support needs.”

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 provider used care management software and tools to monitor and review care calls in real time. This enabled the provider to monitor and maintain oversight of scheduled care to ensure it was delivered on time and in line with each person’s care plan and assessed needs. The software and oversight of call calls ensured care was delivered safely. A family member said, “The communication from Kinetic Nursing Services has been outstanding. I always feel informed, reassured, and involved in [family member’s] care. Staff are so attentive and instantly recognise when [family member] isn’t quite themself and never hesitate to contact me. That level of awareness and responsiveness gives me enormous peace of mind.”

The provider made sure there were always enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received support, supervision and development opportunities. They worked together well to provide safe care which met people’s individual needs. Members of staff were recruited safely and all pre-employment checks were carried out appropriately. New members of staff were supported through an induction and shadowing programme to ensure they knew how to deliver care effectively. The provider worked closely with local authorities to recruit and support people from overseas as part of the displaced sponsored workers scheme. This enabled the provider to recruit members of staff who spoke different languages and understood different cultures to provide care and support for people from a range of diverse communities. Members of staff were supported to access training for their job role and the provider actively encouraged on-going training, support and development. A member of staff told us, “The registered manager provides mentorship, regular performance reviews, access to professional development programs and resources for best practice. The provider offers organisational support, policy guidance and funding for training and quality improvement initiatives.”

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 an infection prevention and control (IPC) policy in place and supported members to access personal protective equipment (PPE). A member of staff told us, “PPE is provided and IPC practice is supported by Kinetic Nursing Service’s infection control policies. I have completed IPC training through Kinetic Nursing Services, including hand hygiene, use of PPE and prevention of cross-infections.”

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’s medicines were administered safely. The provider had good systems in place to review and analyse why medicines may not have been administered. Any medication administration errors were investigated, analysed and reviewed. The registered manager reviewed and audited electronic medication records regularly. A member of staff said, "I have completed medication management training through Kinetic Nursing Services and only administer medication when authorised and competent. Any medication error is reported immediately to my manager and Kinetic Nursing Services. An incident form is completed and medical advice is sought where necessary."