Archived: HMP Grendon & Springhill

We considered our inspection findings to answer questions we always ask:

. Is the service safe?

. Is the service effective?

. Is the service caring?

. Is the service responsive?

. Is the service well-led?

This is the summary of what we found.

Is the service safe?

An assessment of people's health care and support needs was carried out when people started to use the service.

Risk assessments were in place. Audits were carried out to look at accidents and incidents and the necessary action was taken to keep people safe. Information was available to show that the service worked with other agencies to help ensure people's health needs were met safely. We saw there were enough staff on duty at the time of inspection.

Is the service effective?

We spoke with fifteen people who used the service who told us they were happy with the service they received. One person said; "The staff go the extra mile." Another person said; "The healthcare is excellent." Another said; "the healthcare staff are brilliant." People said health care staff worked hard to make sure their care needs were met and we were told that staff were kind and supportive." People also commented how helpful and friendly the workers were.

Staff we spoke with were knowledgeable about people's health care needs. They had received training to help them understand the different care and support needs of people they worked with. Staff were observed to be patient and supportive as they worked with people.

Is the service caring?

People spoken with were very complimentary about the health care provided by staff. We found people were encouraged to be involved in decision making. Staff were helpful and offered people information and support about their care. We saw there was good interaction between staff and people who used the service. We observed the interaction and noted the kind and caring way staff supported people.

Is the service responsive?

Information was collected by the service with regard to the person's healthcare and support needs when they started to use the service. Various assessments were completed by the staff of the service with the person to help make sure staff could meet their health care needs. Medical reviews were carried out, at intervals, with the person who used the service to make sure the person's health care and support needs had not changed. This helped ensure staff supplied the correct health care and treatment.

Referrals for specialist advice were made when staff needed guidance to ensure the health needs of people were met. People's individual needs were taken into account and they, or their representative if they were not able, were involved in all decision making with regard to their health care and treatment. They were kept informed and given information to help them understand the care and treatment choices available to them.

Regular meetings took place with staff and representatives from people who used the service to discuss the running of the service and to ensure the service was responsive in meeting the changing needs of people.

Is the service well-led?

There was a focus from management on the provision of individual care and support to people who use the service. Staff were knowledgeable about the health care and support needs of people. Staff received regular supervision and commented they felt supported by the manager and advice and support was available from the management team.

We saw people had the opportunity to comment on the quality of the service and that they felt able to speak to the manager and staff about any issues.

We used our SOFI (Short Observational Framework for Inspection) tool to help us see what people's experiences were when they received treatment. The SOFI tool allows us to spend time watching what is going on in a service and helps us to record how people receive treatment. We observed one person being assessed by one of the Registered General Nurses (RGN). Checks on the person's presenting symptoms were made and the RGN explained clearly the opinion reached. The RGN asked the person if they were satisfied with the assessment and advice.

We received mixed views from people about the service they received. The majority of these were positive. People said they were treated with respect. One person commented that they felt the health centre staff did not always believe them when they presented their symptoms. Another person said nursing staff were 'cool,' but felt the doctors did not always believe what they told them.

We saw that records were made of any assessments and treatment plans. Mental health assessments were comprehensive.

The health centre was found to be clean and had policies and procedures regarding the prevention and control of infections. We noted the cleaning staff did not have a schedule or checklist to work to.

We saw that staff were subject to the required checks before starting work including criminal records bureau (CRB) and /or disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks as well as checks of professional registration statuses.

People were asked to give their views on the service they received. The health centre had a number of audits and checks on its own performance.