Winton Lodge

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

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff were recruited safely. Safeguarding processes were robust, and staff were aware of how to report potential abuse. Environmental checks and maintenance processes were in place to ensure people were safe. People received their medicines as prescribed . Risks to people and the environment were assessed and reviewed. Staff were recruited safely and infection control procedures were in place.

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 told us they felt comfortable raising concerns with staff and felt they would be listened to.

The registered manager and staff were aware of their responsibilities for reporting and recording incidents and accidents. Staff told us what actions they took following real-life events within the service. Those included reflection forms and detailed handovers to other staff.

Safety was a top priority for the registered manager and staff. Incidents and accidents were recorded, reviewed and analysed to identify trends, themes and used as learning opportunities.

People and their relatives told us they felt confident staff at Winton Lodge would share important information regarding people’s health and care needs. Relatives were complimentary about the level of communication they received and were kept fully informed about people’s appointments.

Staff told us they were able to easily access people’s information if they needed it to speak with an external health and social care professional. The service used a key worker system, which meant staff knew their key people well and were able to support them to attend their appointments.

Health and social care professionals were complimentary about the service. One health and social care professional said, “[The person] is safe at Winton Lodge and has good links with the GP who monitors their physical health.”

The service had systems in place to ensure continuity of care. For example, staff had access to paper-based hospital passports which are a summary of people’s care and social needs. The passports were used to support people who were admitted to hospital. When a person needed 1 to 1 support during a hospital stay, this was provided by the service.

People told us they felt safe at Winton Lodge. One relative said, “[The person] is very, very, very safe.” Another relative told us, “I trust staff implicitly. We try to work with them in partnership.”

Staff told us they were aware of and followed the established safeguarding processes to keep people safe. Staff told us they were confident the registered manager would follow up any concerns. One staff member said, “I have never had to report a concern, but [the registered manager] would take actions straight away if needed.”

People appeared comfortable in the presence of staff. We observed positive interactions between people and staff, for example when staff provided emotional support to people.

Safeguarding incidents were recorded and reported to the local authority in line with the providers policy. People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, and some hospitals, this is usually through the Mental Capacity Act 2005 application procedures called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Where people lived with restrictions to help keep them safe, this was done in line with legislation and people had DoLS authorisations in place. All legal applications had been made in accordance with DoLS.

People told us they were involved in making decisions about their care.

Staff told us they adhered to established protocols and followed people’s positive behaviour support plans when supporting people who may become anxious.

We observed staff working safely with people. People were encouraged to join activities outside of the service. Staff took time to explain what was involved in each activity, who would be supporting the person and how long it would take. This meant people had enough information to make an informed choice.

Staff worked with people to understand and manage risks in a way that was safe and supportive. People were involved in creating and reviewing their care plans and risk assessments. This meant their care needs were met in a safe way which allowed people to do things that mattered to them.

People told us they were happy with the way their bedrooms and communal areas looked. People were proud of their bedrooms, which they enjoyed decorating with photos and posters.

Staff told us they knew how to request new equipment or report maintenance concerns when necessary.

Environmental risks were managed safely. For example, window restrictors were in place and radiators were covered to maintain people’s safety.

Regular checks of the environment were in place to promote safety. These were performed by staff at the service. The provider used external contractors to service the fire system and carry out checks of electrical and gas systems. This ensured systems remained in working order and reduced the risk of harm to people.

People and relatives told us they were happy with the staff who worked at the service. Comments included, “Staff are friendly”, “The registered manager is great” and, “The registered manager is very understanding and on the ball.”

Staff told us they felt supported by the registered manager. One staff member said, “[The registered manager] is receptive and approachable.” Staff told us they had received training that was appropriate and relevant to their role.

We observed staff supporting people in a calm and relaxed manner. Staff had time to discuss various activities with people and organise their time to suit the needs of people using the service.

Procedures were in place to ensure the required checks were carried out on staff before they commenced their employment. This included enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for adults. DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the police national computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. Staff training was in place to ensure staff had the necessary skills to do their job. This included an induction process with extensive shadowing before staff were able to care and support people on their own. Staff received supervisions and competency checks. These were monitored by the registered manager.

People told us staff wore personal protective equipment (PPE) when required. People were supported to participate in keeping their bedrooms clean to minimise the risk of infection.

Staff told us they were aware of the importance of cleanliness and participated in cleaning duties in the service. Staff told us they understood their responsibilities in this area.

We observed the service to be clean and free of clutter. At the time of the assessment the service held a food hygiene rating of 5 which meant hygiene standards were very good and fully complied with the law.

Staff had access to PPE and received training in infection prevention and control. The service had an up-to-date infection control policy in place.

People told us they received their medicines.

Staff told us they had received training to administer people’s medicines safely. Staff gave us real life examples of working with external health and social care professionals to ensure people’s medicines were reviewed and amended when necessary.

Safe procedures were in place for the ordering and administration of medicines. Storage temperatures were monitored, and creams were dated when opened and stored safely. Some people were prescribed medicines to be taken only when required, known as PRN medicines. Guidance was in place to help staff give the medicines in a consistent way. Medicines which required stricter controls were monitored and correct control measures were in place. The service had an up-to-date medicines policy.