Forest Hill House Nursing Home

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

Safeguarding procedures were robust, staff knew how to raise concerns and were confident they would be addressed promptly. Risks to people had been identified and assessed with their involvement. There were enough staff on duty who were safely recruited and suitably trained to meet the needs of people. 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 2005 (MCA). In care homes, and some hospitals, this is usually through MCA application procedures called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA, whether appropriate legal authorisations were in place when needed to deprive a person of their liberty, and whether any conditions relating to those authorisations were being met.

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.

People told us they felt safe living at Forest Hill House Nursing Home. Relatives told us they had peace of mind knowing their loved one was well looked after.

Staff received safeguarding training and confidently told us how they would raise concerns, both within the home and externally. Staff were confident the registered manager would take any concerns seriously and act immediately. A member of staff said, “The registered manager [name] would make it top priority if there was a concern.”

We observed staff working with people in safe ways, for example to support them to move around the home.

Safeguarding referrals had been made in line with the providers policy, there was a clear process and records in place. In addition to safeguarding training, it was a topic for discussion and regular reminders at team meetings. All legal applications had been made in accordance with DoLS, this meant people’s rights were fully respected. The registered manager had oversight of DoLS applications, authorisations, and conditions and used a tracker process to ensure all documentation was in date and any conditions were met.

People told us they were supported by staff to live their lives how they chose and as safe as possible.

Staff told us they had enough information regarding people’s risks to help keep them safe. One member of staff said, “We check all the risk assessments on the electronic care planning system [name] and this helps us with safe working.”

We observed staff working with people in safe ways, for example to support them to move around the home.

Risks were assessed prior to, and when people moved into the home. Individual risk assessments, for example, supporting a special diet and risks of falls were in place for people. Risk assessments were updated regularly or as people’s needs changed. The records we reviewed were up to date on the providers electronic care planning system.

People told us staff were there for them when they needed. Relatives said there was always someone available to support their loved one.

Staff spoke fondly of their colleagues and felt they worked well as a team. One member of staff said, “Every single staff member here tries within their power to ensure a good quality of life. We will always find a way as a team to meet the person’s needs.”

We observed there to be staff available for people when they needed, this included in response to call bells.

Staffing numbers had been calculated to meet people’s needs; this helped the registered manager understand how many staff were needed to provide safe care. Staff were recruited safely. Procedures were in place to ensure formal checks were carried out for staff before they commenced their employment. This included enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for adults. DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the police national computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. Staff learning and development was in place to ensure staff were properly inducted into the home and their knowledge maintained. The registered manager had oversight of training within the home, and they had recently changed to a new provider to enhance learning.