Parkside

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

As part of this assessment, we looked at 3 quality statements for the key question of safe. These were, ‘safeguarding, involving people to manage risks and safe and effective staffing’. People received safe care and were protected against avoidable harm, neglect and discrimination. Risks to people's safety were assessed and strategies were put in place to reduce the risks. Staff were appropriately recruited and there were enough staff to provide care and support to people to meet their needs.

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.

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

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.

People told us they felt safe. One person said, “I do feel perfectly safe living here. I have a walker since I came out from hospital, I feel safer walking around with it.” Another person commented, “I feel safe, and we are all well looked after. Nobody can come inside, and the carers are keeping us safe and well.”

Staff knew how to take action to minimise the risks of avoidable harm to people and worked with people to ensure they were safe from harm. Staff had been trained to recognise abuse and protect people from the risk of potential harm. They understood how to report any concerns if needed. One member of staff told us, "I would go to the manager without hesitation. I have confidence they would deal with it in the correct way." Another said, “I would report anything I wasn't happy about. We all have a duty of care to keep people safe."

We saw that staff treated people with kindness and understanding. They were knowledgeable about people's individual needs and preferences and took account of this when they provided support and assistance to keep people safe. For example, we saw people being supported to mobilise around the service safely.

The provider had systems and processes in place to respond to and manage any safeguarding incidents and concerns and they followed local safeguarding protocols when required. Staff had received training to protect people from avoidable harm. They understood how to report any concerns if they needed to by following safeguarding or whistleblowing procedures. The registered manager understood their responsibility to report safeguarding concerns and maintained a safeguarding log, so they had managerial oversight of all aspects of safeguarding incidents and concerns.

People were protected against the risk of avoidable harm and staff implemented strategies to keep people safe. One person told us, "I do feel safe. Recently I did have a few falls, all in my room and probably all my fault trying to do things I can’t do anymore. What is different now is that staff help me move around and I need to call them if I want to go somewhere. I don’t want to be in wheelchair all the time because that was one of options. They watch me when I move and that is what is ok for me. I feel safe.”

Staff were aware of people’s risk assessments and felt they could confidently support people safely. One staff member said, “We have risk assessments for people to stop them from falling.” Another member of staff told us, "Risk assessments are completed wherever there is a risk of harm to a person. They also protect both our residents and staff from any harm and minimise risk as much as possible."

We observed staff supporting people with their mobility needs to ensure they moved around safely. We also saw staff supporting people who were at risk of poor nutritional intake by supporting them with their meals and ensuring they had regular snacks and drinks throughout the day.

Risks were assessed, monitored, and managed. Care plans and risks assessments were in place and had been reviewed regularly or when there were changes. This meant that staff were able to follow guidance to help ensure people were consistently supported safely. An emergency evacuation plan was in place for each person; to describe the support they would need in the event of a fire or other emergency requiring evacuation of the building. These were up to date and reflective of people's current needs.

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

There were sufficient numbers of staff employed to fully meet people’s needs. One person said, “Oh yes there are always lots of staff around to help us. We never have to wait for long.” A relative commented, “There is enough staff and I'm pleased they manage to keep mostly the same staff. It’s important that staff get to know people and they get to know the staff and that can only be done if staffing is consistent. They manage to do that here.” One person told us how grateful they were to the staff for their expertise and caring nature. They said, “I never knew that this kind of care could exist. Staff are kind, considerate and above all respectful and they know job so well. A couple of evenings ago they noticed I was not breathing properly, and they called an ambulance. No waiting or delaying. I was checked at hospital and given antibiotics. If I was at home on my own, by now I could be collapsed with sepsis. They saved me for sure.”

We received positive comments from staff about staffing numbers. One told us, “There is enough staff. We have good team working and support each other.” Another member of staff commented, “We have enough staff, and we don’t have to rush people’s care. I’m not blowing our own trumpet, but we are so lucky. I can't remember the last time we were short of staff. We have a good staff team and there is good teamwork.” Rotas showed that staffing was consistent, and we did not see any days where there was a shortage of staff.

We observed sufficient numbers of staff to meet people's needs. For example, people were well supported at meals times to ensure their dietary needs were met. There was a good rapport between people and staff, and we saw a lot of banter and laughing.

An assessment of people’s needs was completed before a care package was agreed. This meant the provider was able to assess how much support a person needed and how many staff were required to provide that support safely. The assessment also identified the skill mix of staff needed to provide people’s care. Staff rotas showed that sufficient numbers of staff were consistently deployed to fully meet people’s needs. The provider followed robust recruitment procedures to ensure people were protected from staff that may not be fit to support them.

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.