Marine Park View

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

Improvements had been to people's safety and to the environment. The culture of the service had opened as people were listened to, any concerns were addressed. Incidents and accidents were reported, investigated and lessons learned to reduce risk of re-occurrence. Systems had been strengthened to ensure people were kept safe and protected from the risk of harm and abuse. People were supported to understand and manage risk. Care plans were clear and provided detailed guidance to staff to keep people safe. Detailed information was collected before people moved to the service and was available to take with them if they moved to another service.There were appropriate staffing levels and skill mix to make sure people received consistently safe care that was person-centred. Staff received training that was relevant to their roles and responsibilities. They received supported and regular supervision with opportunities for personal development. Significant improvements had been made to the environment to ensure people’s safety and comfort. Medicines were better-managed, although further improvements were needed. There was more robust recruitment of new staff, but further improvement was needed to the some vetting procedures. There was better Infection and prevention control and the premises were clean and well-maintained. People received visitors.

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.

Staff told us communication was more effective. Any incidents about people's safety was discussed with staff in a timely way, with action taken to mitigate further risks. A staff member told us, "Any incidents are shared at our daily huddles (meetings) and handover meetings."

People told us they felt safe and staff responded immediately if they needed support. Peoples' comments, "If I need any help, there is always someone about," "I use the buzzer if I need staff, I don't have to wait," and "Staff take their time with us."

Improvements had been made to ensure people’s safety and safety concerns were acted upon. Safety issues were discussed with staff to raise awareness of complying with standards and safe working practices. There was a more robust analysis of all accident and incident reports to help mitigate risk to people’s safety. This included a system of review of accidents and incidents, to prevent re-occurrence of incident, with an analysis, showing themes and trends, lessons learned and how reflections took place with staff.

Information was available about people if they moved between services to ensure their safety and continuity of care. People's comments included, "Staff share the information if I'm not well. I had the nurse yesterday, she comes to check my blood pressure every day, and the doctor comes as well if needed" and "The hospital got all the information they wanted from here."

Staff were aware of when people had health or social care professional input. They said they felt confident working with other agencies.

We received positive feedback from professionals involved with the service. Their comments included, "Staff and carers as well as management proactively support the residents now. There is a greater understanding of their needs as well as identification of any concerns and potential future needs", "The care home is much more involved and prepared for the multi-disciplinary meetings; they bring cases to the meetings, ask appropriate questions, engaging best decision making where appropriate and are up-to-date with residents care plans and recent changes in their care needs/treatments/discharges from hospital/behaviours.

Systems were in place for staff to work with people and partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed, monitored and assured. People received a continuity of care when either admitted or discharged from the service. The majority of people lived at the service on a permanent basis, however, some people stayed there for short term, respite care. Pre-admission assessments helped ensure people’s health and social care needs could be met by staff and that the service was right for the person, as well as the person being right for the service. People, their relatives, health and social care professionals were involved in the planning.

Several improvements had been made within the home, by the Nominated Individual and manager, to ensure people were cared for safely. There were effective systems, processes and practices to ensure people were safe from the risk of harm and abuse. Policies and procedures were available, and staff had attended safeguarding training and updates to refresh their knowledge and understanding. The manager and staff recognised their responsibilities and duty of care to raise safeguarding concerns when they suspected an incident or event that may be classed as abuse.

People appeared to be happy, comfortable, and safe in their surroundings. They told us they felt safe, they would speak with staff if they were worried, and they always felt listened to. One person told us, "I feel comfortable and safe, if I want anything I ask staff" and "I do not have any worries."

The Nominated Individual (provider's representative) and manager told us about improvements they had made to processes to ensure concerns were always reported in a timely way. All staff members told us they knew to raise any safeguarding concerns to management, they said they felt confident they would be dealt with appropriately. Their comments included, "I think safeguarding concerns are dealt with properly now", and "I feel could raise any concerns if needed to, couldn’t before." A health care professional commented, "Staff are clear on their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding, know who to contact when needed and make appropriate referrals."

People told us they felt safe being supported by staff. They knew how to raise any concerns they might have. A person told us, "The staff listen to me, I have no concerns." A compliment received by the provider from a relative stated, "Thank you, I will always feel comfortable leaving [Name] in your care.

People told us they were involved in making decisions about their care and support. A person commented, "Staff remind me, I’ve got to use my walker."

Improvements had been made to people's safety and the service was no longer in breach of regulation safe care and treatment. Systems were more robust to ensure any risks to people's health, safety and well-being were mitigated. Risks to people had been assessed and risk assessments had been put in place to help mitigate risks as far as possible. These risks included areas such as supporting people with mobility equipment, personal care or distressed behaviour. Identified risk was transferred to care plans. Care plans contained information of the measures for staff to follow to keep people safe, including how to respond when people became distressed.This included guidance for staff about how to de-escalate and reassure a person if they became upset, Risk assessments were regularly reviewed to reflect people's changing needs. Staff had the knowledge and skills to protect people's safety. Staff received health and safety training and training about safe working practices. They understood their responsibilities for reporting accidents, incidents, or concerns.

Staff supported people safely and appropriate equipment was available if people needed assistance to mobilise. People told us staff knew how to support them. Staff were available to support people as soon as they needed support.

Staff understood where people required support to reduce the risk of avoidable harm. Staff knew the risks to people well and told us they were kept up to date if there had been any changes to people's risk assessments.

Staff told us they had received training in safe working practices and they felt safe working at the service. They said they had appropriate equipment to move people safely and had received training on how to use it. They felt supported when management were not on duty as an on-call system was available to provide support and guidance, in an emergency.

At the last inspection we had made a breach of regulations 15 and 18, as the provider had failed to ensure the environment was appropriately equipped and maintained for the safety and comfort of people who lived at the service. At this inspection we found the provider was no longer in breach of the regulation as several improvements had been made to the environment to ensure it was safe and well-maintained. Staff completed health and safety, including fire safety checks of the environment to help ensure risks were mitigated as far as possible. Detailed records were maintained of all servicing and checks. This included certificates and audits for example, for fire systems, legionnaires. gas and electric and health and safety audits. Emergency plans were detailed and covered topics such as risk assessments in the event of fire. Environmental risks were assessed, with measures put in place to remove or reduce the risks. Regular health and safety checks were completed, this included of the general environment and equipment such as, hoists and stand-aids.

People lived in a safe environment which was suitable for their needs. Several improvements had been made by the provider and management team, to ensure people were cared for safely. People told us they felt safe and trusted staff. A person told us, "I am safe it is lovely here, the staff are really helpful" and "Staff always take an interest, they tell me about things, they keep an eye on people here." People had choice where to spend their time, and with whom. Another person commented, "If I want some time alone, I will have tea in my bedroom, I can go there when I want to," and "They are doing the place up, everywhere, the handyman was upstairs and downstairs, the place is getting better."

At the last inspection of the service we had made a breach of regulation as there were environmental risks to people' safety. At this inspection significant improvements had been made to the premises and the service was no longer in breach of the regulation safe care and treatment. We undertook a walk around the service with the manager. Significant improvements had been made to the premises to ensure people's safety and well-being. Medicines storage had also been improved, including for controlled drugs. The clinical room was better-lit and ventilated. The service demonstrated people were cared for in a safe environment that was designed to meet their needs. The premises and equipment were well-maintained which helped support staff to deliver safe and effective care. A maintenance man was employed full time and there were effective arrangements to safely maintain the service.

People told us they felt safe with staff support and thought they there were sufficient staff. A person commented, "I trust the staff, I feel listened to. They are always around," and "I have nothing but praise for the staff, they all have a chat. They keep an eye on us all, nothing goes amiss."

The manager told us a dependency tool was used to calculate the number of staff required. Staff verified there were sufficient staff on duty to support people. They told us about the training they received as part of their job roles and were knowledgeable about the training they received. Their comments included, "I like the mix of face-to -face and e learning training, "We can make suggestions for training, "I feel well-supported by the manager and the staff team", "We have time to spend with people," "Now we have a chance to talk with people", and We are now allowed to interact with people, if time I can take part in activities," "Recruitment processes are more robust, no one starts before we have their DBS result" and "More staff are enrolling for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) now."

At the last inspection we had made a breach of regulation 19, as recruitment was not robust to ensure fit and proper people were employed. At this inspection sufficient improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulation 19, fit and proper staff. The provider followed safer and more effective recruitment practices. This included checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. References were requested from previous employers about their conduct in previous jobs and health checks. We advised the Nominated Individual to ensure sufficient and appropriate references were obtained from an applicant, to verify their suitability, if they had not been previously employed. Staff files demonstrated that safe recruitment practices were in place to make sure that all staff were suitably experienced, competent and able to carry out their role. The staff training matrix and staff records showed staff received a variety of training courses supervision, observations and checks of competency to carry out their role safely and effectively.

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 no longer task-led, where staff had previously only interacted with people, when they provided care and support. With changes to staff deployment, staff now had time to spend with people, not just when they provided care and support.

Staff told us personal protective equipment (PPE) and all cleaning materials needed were available. They confirmed they had received infection control training.Staff were complimentary about changes to the environment and improvements to hygiene. One staff member commented, "The environment is much better and easier to clean." A visiting professional told us, "There is now a more pleasant environment when you enter Marine Park View care home. They have decorated, the premises seem warmer and more inviting to both visitors and residents alike."

There were effective infection prevention and control systems in place. These included regular cleaning and systems to prevent visitors from catching and spreading infections. People told us they thought their home was kept clean. One person told us, "I tidy my room and staff come in and dust and clean." A relative provided feedback to the provider stating, "[Name]'s room is always clean and tidy, just the way they like it! Marine Park View itself is always spotless."

Several improvements had been made to the environment for people's safety and comfort. The home was clean, well-decorated and well-maintained. People's rooms were well-personalised, appropriately furnished, warm and comfortable. An additional communal room, used as a music room and two bedrooms had been created on the ground floor.

At the last inspection the provider was in breach of regulation 12 as there was a poor standard of hygiene. At this inspection improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulation 12. Staff had received training in infection control practices and used personal protective equipment (PPE) effectively and safely. The management team had accessed external support and advice on infection control and training and maintaining a safe environment. Regular checks of the premises were carried out to ensure the environment and equipment was kept clean and free from malodours.

Staff told us they had access to training and annual competency assessments. The medicine policy was readily available for staff. The manager completed a variety of monthly audits. These had identified some of the issues we saw.

At the previous inspection medicines were not managed safely and we made a breach of regulation 12, safe care and treatment. At this inspection sufficient improvement had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulation 12. Processes for applying and recording creams were in place. However, we found these was not being consistently followed by staff. Guidance was missing and we found that records were not accurately completed. PRN protocols (documents to support staff to know how and when to administer a PRN medicine safely) were in place and accessible at the point of administration. However, the was no guidance when medicines were prescribed with a variable dose. Records of regular medicines were generally well- maintained and followed national guidance including recording people’s allergies, however where entries were handwritten some improvements were needed.

People received their medicines in a kind and person-centred way. Staff were knowledgeable about the medicine needs of people living at the service. There was information available on how people took their medicines including information on medicines administered covertly (disguised in food). A person told us, "When I had a pain, staff quickly gave me my tablets."