Eighton Lodge Residential Care 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

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. At our last inspection we rated this key question requires improvement. At this inspection 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. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. A relative told us, “I trust the staff, they are definitely open and honest. A staff member told us, “We [staff] report incidents, we add them to the computer, a team leader and above will do the investigation.”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. The provider made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. Information was collected before people started to use the service, and a detailed hospital passport was prepared to ensure their needs could be met, if they moved elsewhere. A relative told us, “The home shares information with the hospital about [Name].”

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. The provider 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. A relative told us, “[Name] is comfortable and safe, since moving here.”

The registered manager had completed detailed risk assessments covering the areas of risk people may face and putting measures in place to mitigate those risks as far as possible. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. A relative told us, “[Name] is monitored in their room for their safety. Staff know when [Name] is up and about, they check them, they do keep [Name] safe” and “[Name] is safe with a sensor mat and alarm.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. A relative told us, “[Name] is safe, they [staff] make sure [Name] has their Zimmer frame.” Another relative told us, “The environment is good, lovely garden, plenty of room in the dining room.”

There were sufficient staff to support people safely and in a person-centred way. People were attended to in a timely way and did not have to wait a length of time for assistance. Care was person-centred and staff were observed to spend time with people, not just when they provided care and support.

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. A relative told us, “There are always staff about, in the lounge always. They are well-trained, brilliant, they are really helpful.” A staff member told us, “I have just completed the new dementia training. There are good development opportunities.”

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. A relative told us, “The cleanliness is excellent, staff wear aprons and gloves when needed.”

The service made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs and capacities. They involved people in planning, including when changes happened. We were assured people were receiving their medicines as prescribed. Medicines management had been improved, processes for applying and recording creams were now in place and protocols were available for the use of 'when required medicines. However, some further improvements could be made to medicines records to make them more person-centred. Relatives said people receive their medicines safely. A relative commented, “It is far better than when [Name] was at home, they get all their tablets when they need them.”