Winslow House

Safeguarding procedures were updated and incidents were reported to the appropriate outside agencies. The home was no longer in breach of the safeguarding regulation.

“Staff understood their responsibilities and had reported incidents and involved external agencies as required.” from the report

The home worked with health professionals to manage people's health needs and followed advice. A weekly meeting with the GP surgery and regular health checks were in place.

“Two professionals told us the service referred to them appropriately and had responded well to their advice.” from the report

People's weights were monitored and action was taken when weight loss or gain suggested that extra support was needed.

“Systems for monitoring and responding to weight loss had improved.” from the report

People and relatives generally said they felt safe and well cared for. People said staff listened to them and managers responded to complaints.

“People and their relatives were positive about the service and told us they felt safe and well cared for.” from the report

Medicines processes were not always followed. Records and audits did not reliably show that medicines, creams and prescription changes were handled safely.

“People were not always protected from risks associated with medicines as provider processes were not always followed and medicines audits had not identified these shortfalls.” from the report

Care plans did not contain enough information about diabetes, insulin and constipation. Staff gave different answers about when to act if someone's blood glucose was low.

“The 3 staff we spoke with about managing hypoglycaemia each gave different blood glucose levels they would act upon.” from the report

Paper records were not always complete or up to date, and staff did not often use the risk assessments and support plans available to them.

“Paper records were not always complete or up to date; staff rarely referred to people's risk assessments or support plans.” from the report

The provider could not show recruitment records for checking at this inspection. The recruitment policy also did not clearly set out all required checks.

“The provider had not established safe recruitment procedures to ensure staff employed were suitable to support vulnerable adults.” from the report

New monitoring systems were not yet reliable. Cleaning records had not been completed or audited for several months, and medicines problems had not been identified by audits.

“The provider had failed to operate effective systems to monitor and improve the safety and the quality of the service.” from the report

Some people and relatives reported long waits for call bells, help to use the toilet and entry to the building. Managers planned to review call-bell times and staffing needs.

“Feedback from people and relatives suggested staff start times and break times needed review to ensure people's needs were met at busy times.” from the report