Thornlea 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

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

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.

Thornlea had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. The management team listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events.

Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. People were able to explain how the learning culture affected their experience in the care home in a positive way. For example, one person said, “At this home it was paradise. I am talked to and guided when necessary. It's wonderful.”

People told us they had been supported to be admitted to the home safely. One person said, “I was not in a good place when I came here. I had a problem with alcohol. The staff couldn't have been more helpful. They got help from outside agencies and I very quickly settled in, and alcohol was no longer an issue.”

The management team worked with people, social care and healthcare partners to design, establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was always well managed and monitored. We received positive feedback from people living at Thornlea.

The management team worked well with people and healthcare partners to fully understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They had a clear focus on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect.



Staff and management team shared concerns and appropriately. Staff knew how to report any safeguarding concerns and the process to follow should they be concerned. Safeguarding training was provided and regularly updated. Staff confirmed this when we spoke with them.

The management team and staff worked well with people and their families to fully understand and manage risks. We found they provided care that met people’s needs and was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them.

Records we reviewed showed risks were assessed and reviewed regularly. Care plans were in place to manage identified risks, and reflected people’s choices and individual needs. Processes were in place to ensure the quality of records was maintained, and supported managers identifying any improvement areas.

The staff and management team at Thornlea were aware of potential risks in the care environment and controlled them. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

We walked around the building and found the building to be clean and tidy. However, the management team acknowledged that some refurbishment and redecoration was needed in communal areas and corridors. For example, the carpet was worn in areas of the home and could be a potential health and safety issue. In addition, paint on walls and doors had been removed or required re painting to prevent any infection control issues. We made the registered manager aware of objects such as wheelchairs left in areas that could be a potential safety hazard. They moved any obstructive equipment before the end of the assessment visit, to reduce the risk of any accidents to people. In addition, regular auditing of the building and required maintenance checks had been done. For example, fire checks and gas certificates were up to date to ensure peoples safety.

The Registered manager made sure there were always enough skilled and experienced staff, who received, supervision and development opportunities. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.

People and their relatives told us staffing levels at Thornlea was sufficient to meet the needs of people. Staff told us they felt supported and was appropriate and they managed well. One staff member said, “We have enough of us on duty to help residents, it’s a friendly family atmosphere.”

The management team assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared any concerns they may have with appropriate agencies promptly.

Health, safety and infection control checklists were used to ensure equipment was regularly cleaned, checked and operating correctly, for example wheelchairs and hoists. Staff told us there was a plentiful supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). We confirmed this by looking at supplies the home had in reserve.

The staff and management team ensured medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. They involved people in their administration of medicines planning, including when changes happened. PRN protocols were in place and records showed they were accurate.

Audits identified any discrepancies if they occurred during stock checks. Medicines competencies were completed for staff. We observed medicines being administered safely during the morning period. The member of staff explained what they were doing throughout the process. One person said, “I am aware of when and how I get my tablets and there always on time.”