Rothbury Cottage Care Ltd

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

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. This was the first inspection for this service. This key question has been rated good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 72 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The management team had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. The registered manager used the information to identify areas where lessons could be learnt. A staff member said, “As a team we discuss and incidents and how we can make sure they don’t happen again.”

Staff worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. A visiting professional said, “The staff are really receptive to what we say and follow the care plans closely. This has meant we can be confident people will get just the right support. They are also good at letting us know when people’s needs have changed.”

The management team worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The service shared concerns quickly and appropriately. Staff had training and a good understanding of what to do to make sure people were protected from harm or abuse. The management team ensured DoLS authorisations were sought when needed and any conditions imposed by them were followed.

The staff team worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. A person said, “Staff have been brilliant, and make sure I’m always safe.”

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. Environmental risks were assessed and addressed. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care and worked with external professionals to review people’s aides. People were supported to be as independent as possible within the environment. The staff team knew who to contact when people might benefit from additional aids or equipment, which staff knew how to use.

The provider took steps to ensure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. There were always 2 care staff on duty. During the weekday this was enough staff to deliver the care, as there was also the manager, domestic staff, catering staff and the activities coordinator on duty. However, the dependency tool needed reviewing because it did not account for when a number of people needed the support of 2 staff, the staff cover outside of the weekday, what was reflected in needs assessments or if there was an emergency. We heard for the NHS beds there was more flexibility and, when requested, additional staff members were available for individual clients. The provider had noted these issues and was already looking for a more effective dependency assessment tool and calculator. A person said, “When I came here, I thought oh my goodness just 2 staff that may be a problem but overall it seems to work.” Recruitment practices were meeting requirements. However, staff records needed to include information about what DBS checks had been completed, the application forms had space to record dates of employment and up to date photographic identity. The registered manager immediately addressed these matters.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. Staff appropriately followed the required infection control guidelines.

Staff made sure medicines and treatments were managed in a safe manner and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff who administered medicines had the appropriate training and competency checks. The staff worked closely with the GP and pharmacist to manage the medicines and determine appropriate administration times for them. A person said, “The staff are very good at making sure my medicines are given on time and are right.”