Archived: The Daley Care Centre

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 requires improvement and we found breaches of regulation in relation to safe care and treatment and staffing. At this assessment the rating has changed to good and breaches in regulation had been met. 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 learning culture in the care home. Staff were aware of procedures to follow to report and record incidents. We saw that accidents and incidents were reviewed and analysed to identify themes and trends. Feedback to the staff team was provided through daily flash meetings and regular team meetings. Staff told us communication was very good, and they were listened to ensuring lessons were learnt.

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. We saw evidence in care plans of visits and referrals when required and information was shared and reviewed to ensure people’s needs were met. Feedback we received from people confirmed this. One person said, "The nurses are very good, and they are also quick to get assistance when required, doctors or ambulances, any response I need."

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 registered manager shared concerns quickly and appropriately. Staff understood safeguarding procedures and reported incidents immediately to management. Staff told us they were fully confident the registered manager would respond appropriately. One staff member said, “The manager leads by example, is visible and values everyone.”

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (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's capacity was assessed in line with MCA and decisions were made, where people did not have capacity, in their best interest. People had Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) in place to protect their rights and the service complied with these.

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 which mattered to them. Risks associated with people's care were identified and managed effectively. One person said, "I want more independence. Staff support me with this, I feel I now have good people working on it.” Staff were managing the persons risks as part of an independent lifestyle.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. Many areas of the care home had been improved, redecorated, and new furniture and new equipment purchased. Some areas still required refurbishment, which was ongoing at the time of our assessment, and was part of the providers improvement plan. Appropriate checks of the environment and associated services, including fire, water and equipment, had been completed and were reviewed by the provider.

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 which met people’s individual needs. Members of staff were recruited safely and there were sufficient staff to meet people’s care and support needs. Staffing levels were determined by the needs of the people who used the service. A relative said, “The staff are all very friendly and all seem to look after and get on with [relative]. They seem very well trained, and it is a settled team at the moment."

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 care environment was clean, and staff has access to appropriate stores of personal protective equipment (PPE). Members of staff had access to infection prevention and control policies and audits we saw identified areas for improvement and action was taken.

The provider made sure medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning where appropriate, including when changes happened. Administration of medications was managed safely. Members of staff had access to policies and procedures which supported safe clinical practice. Staff were knowledgeable on peoples’ medicines and specific requirements. Staff were trained and received competency checks. We observed staff administering medicines safely and staff were able to explain people’s needs. Audits of medication administration were completed and reviewed by the management team.