Eastwood House 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

People were protected from the risk of abuse and avoidable harm. People told us that they felt safe living at the home and risks in relation to people's care were identified and managed to keep them safe. Staff had been recruited safely and during the inspection we observed there were enough staff to respond to people's needs. Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored to ensure trends and patterns were identified and action taken to minimise future risks. The registered manager kept a record of lessons learned and took appropriate actions to improve the service. Some staff told us they felt the manager was approachable but it would depend who they were raising concerns about and if that staff member was in their friendship group. We raised this with the provider who took appropriate action to ensure staff felt comfortable and confident raising concerns.

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 and their relatives felt comfortable raising concerns with the registered manager and staff team. People felt listened to and relatives told us when they had raised concerns, they had been addressed in a timely way. One relative said, "Last week [relative] was having trouble hearing and I mentioned it to a senior and it’s now sorted, you don't have to ask twice."

Some staff told us they enjoyed working at the home and did not have any concerns. They were aware of the whistleblowing procedure and had received training such as safeguarding. Some staff felt the registered manager was approachable and felt comfortable raising concerns. However, most staff told us they felt uneasy raising issues with the management team as they are friends outside work with several staff members. The provider told us they used action plans to address any concerns. This included staff meetings and reflective practice. Resident and relatives meetings were chaired by the activity coordinator and people were supported to raise any concerns and be involved in the home.

Processes in place showed lessons were learned when things went wrong. Accident and incident analysis also showed evidence of actions taken to mitigate future risks. We saw reports of investigations were carried out where there had been incidents. The registered manager investigated and spoke with staff and relatives. Evidence was collated to draw a conclusion as to what may have occurred. There was evidence people and relatives were involved in the process.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safeguarding during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

One person who had an interest in gardening, had access to raised garden beds and enjoyed growing plants. They also had access to a sun house where they grew tender plants and could sit in the shade. The raised beds enabled the person to safely tend to his plants. One person said, “The staff had been lovely.” The person told us they needed a frame to assist their mobility, they said, "Staff have made sure I have my frame; I need it now so I can walk safely." One relative said, "[Relative] is happy so I am happy we don't have any doubt that mum is safely looked after."

Risk assessments were updated monthly and in-between if circumstances and needs changed. The registered manager told us equipment required, such as hoists and slings were named, and staff are required to carry out safe checks. Staff are expected to know the location of equipment and why the equipment is in place. The registered manager told us they discussed risks associated with people’s care, with people and their relatives. The registered manager also said they showed people options and observe for responses. For example, one person shouts if there is something they don’t like and it's their way of communicating this. Another person found it easier to read something staff have written down, so the registered manager has ordered a writing board to aid communication.

We observed staff responding to people in a timely way. Staff were appropriately deployed and able to respond well. Staff supported people in a safe way and assisted people in line with their assessed needs.

Risks in relation to people's care were identified and managed to keep them safe. Risk assessments were detailed and gave clear instructions about how people’s needs were met safely. For example, where people required the use of a hoist and sling to transfer, loop configurations and the size and type of sling to use were detailed in the risk assessment.

We did not look at Safe environments during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

People and their relatives were happy with staff and felt there were enough staff around. One relative said, "They [staff] are always around, and activity lady is good, keeps people occupied and that’s a good thing." "If things change, I do feel my opinion matters. I am listened to." People said staff were friendly and considerate.

Staff told us they were appropriately supported through an induction programme, as well as receiving ongoing training and supervision. Staff told us they received regular training. Staff told us they felt there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs.

We observed staff responding to people in a timely way. Staff were appropriately deployed and able to respond well. Staff were kind and caring in their approach and there was some friendly banter between staff and people. The atmosphere was calm and pleasant. For example, 1 person tipped a drink over and staff very calmly responded to and addressed the situation reassuring the person that it was alright and for her not to worry.

The provider ensured staff had the skills, knowledge, and experience to deliver effective care and support. Staffing numbers were provided based on people's dependency needs. Environmental factors were also considered such as the layout of the building. The provider had a system in place which ensured staff were recruited safely. We looked at 2 staff files and found pre-employment checks had been completed.

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Medicines optimisation during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.