Holmwood Rest 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 safe and protected from harm, procedures in place meant risks were managed well. There were enough staff who were skilled to provide care and support. People received medicines as prescribed. Lessons were learnt from events within the home. Infection prevention and control measures were robust. People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment when this is in their best interests and legally authorised under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). In care homes, and some hospitals, this is usually through MCA application procedures called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA, whether appropriate legal authorisations were in place when needed to deprive a person of their liberty, and whether any conditions relating to those authorisations were being met.

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 safe with the care at Holmwood Rest Home. A relative told us, “If any incidents happen, they always inform me.”

Accidents and incidents were recorded in people’s records and care plans were updated. The registered manager was informed of each incident and reviewed accidents across the home monthly to identify trends and themes.

Events that occurred within the home, were recorded, and discussed to prevent reoccurrence. "Staff explained the actions they took when accidents occurred within the home." All necessary steps for safety were maintained and records reflected their actions.

People’s needs, and care requirements were detailed within their care plans and risk assessments. A summarised version was available if the person went into hospital or moved to another care establishment. The registered manager told us they ensure all information is sent in a handover document, generated by their care planning system. This supported continuity in care for people.

Staff worked well with external professionals, sharing information to ensure people’s care needs were met. Feedback received during the assessment was positive about the registered managers engagement with external agencies.

People felt confident their needs would be met and information shared for their benefit. They were involved in decisions and their opinions valued. A relative told us, “They keep in touch with things that are happening.”

Scheduled meetings to discuss people’s care needs were in place, for example for medical needs. People’s care records and daily notes were completed and were available for relevant external agencies to examine.

Staff knew how to ensure people were protected from harm and abuse. They told us how they would raise concerns both within the home and outside. Staff were confident the registered manager would follow up any concerns and make the necessary referrals. Staff understood how to ensure people’s rights were fully respected and had received training in DoLS.

People told us they felt safe living at Holmwood Rest Home. Relatives were confident their loved ones were safe, and staff worked to raise any concerns or resolve any they had. A relative told us, “The staff keep my loved one [name] safe there. Staff are conscious of what they want and need.” A person said, “I feel the staff are very good, attentive.”

Safeguarding procedures were robust; a policy was in place and staff knew the correct reporting procedures. Staff had received safeguarding training, and this was updated annually as a refresher. The registered manager told us safeguarding procedures were discussed with the staff team periodically. All legal applications had been made in accordance with DoLS, this meant people’s rights were fully respected. The registered manager had oversight of DoLS applications, authorisations, and conditions.

During the inspection we conducted several observations of staff interactions with people, we found them to be respectful, giving people time to express their needs and choices. Where staff supported people to move around the home, they did this ensuring the correct and agreed safe procedures were carried out.

People and their relatives told us they felt safe, and their risks were considered. One person told us, “Staff know my needs.” Another person said, “Staff know what risks I have.” People felt involved in planning for their needs in relation to risks and keeping safe. A relative said, “Staff keep an eye on people’s safety, they have a good grasp of the risks in my loved ones [name] life.” Risks were managed well, and records showed events such as falls for people had reduced after they moved into the home. One person told us about having frequent falls at home and said, “I feel much more confident living here.”

People’s risks were assessed prior to and when they moved into the home. People had individual risk assessments, for example, supporting their mobility, falls and safe swallowing. Risk assessments were updated as people’s needs changed.

Staff told us they understood people’s risks and how to keep them safe. Holmwood Rest Home being a smaller home, staff knew people well. The registered manager had improved how risk assessments were recorded and this had made it easier to guide staff to work in safe ways.

Holmwood Rest Home was clean and well maintained. Equipment was in good working order. Fire safety procedures were in place, this included equipment and instructions for emergency services, about the assistance people require to safely evacuate the building.

Equipment and utility checks were up to date and closely monitored to ensure they were always maintained. The registered manager had calendar reminders of expiry dates and used external experts and contractors to undertake the checks. This meant they had been carried out by competent individuals.

People and their relatives told us the home was well maintained and equipment they used was in good working order. A relative said, “I would recommend the home, its warm, clean and comfortable.” People were encouraged to bring in their personal effects and belongings into the home, they told us this was important to them.

The registered manager told us they were confident in the upkeep and condition of the home, ensuring a safe environment was very important to them and the provider. There was an ongoing maintenance, redecoration, and refurbishment plan. Staff told us they had fire safety training, including fire drills, records confirmed this.

Staff received the training and supervision to ensure they worked within the values of Holmwood Rest Home. Staff told us they felt supported fully by the registered managers and received all the training required to carry out their role effectively.

The inspection team observed the correct number of staff which was in accordance with people's assessed needs. Staff were there when people needed them.

Staff were there when people needed them, there were enough staff on duty. One person said, “I think there are enough staff on.” A relative said, “There are enough staff on to manage the home and give the level of care required.” Another person told us about staffing in the home, they said, “I feel safe because my bell is close by and staff are always around.”

Staffing numbers had been planned to meet people’s needs and had been assessed using a dependency tool, this helped the registered manager know how many staff were needed to provide safe care. Staff were recruited safely, and recruitment records reflected this. 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.

We observed a clean, clutter free and hygienic surrounding. People were supported to maintain their own hygiene and staff were attentive around the home to ensure the levels were maintained. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was worn appropriately by staff.

Infection prevention and control procedures were robust, underpinned by a comprehensive policy. Staff had access to plentiful supplies of cleaning materials, products, and PPE.

Everyone was responsible for keeping the home clean and tidy. The registered manager told us with events in the past few years everyone has become more aware of the importance of cleanliness and hygiene.

People and their relatives told us the home clean and tidy; they had no concerns about cleanliness. A person told us, “I think my room is very nice and is kept clean.”

Staff worked safely to ensure people had their medicines on time. Staff told us they received training and ongoing checks to ensure safe practices. Records confirmed this had taken place. The registered manager was working on further improvements to guidance for staff where people took medicines occasionally. We observed staff carrying out safe practices during our inspection.

Safe procedures were in place for the administration of medicines. This included medicines taken occasionally and those which had required stricter handling as required by law. There was a policy and procedure in place and the home were complying with them.

People received their medicines as prescribed. There were safe procedures in place for ordering, storage, and administration of medicines. People were confident they received their medicines on time and records reflected this. One person told us, “Staff give me my medicines, I get them on time.” A relative told us, “Staff give the medicines on time.”