The Farndon Unit

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

The service provided care and treatment in a way which made patients feel safe, listened to and supported. They were treated with dignity and respect and encouraged to be involved in their care planning and treatment, patients were treated as individuals. The service maintained a least restrictive approach which minimised restrictive practices, risk was managed well. Staff were familiar with safeguarding policies and procedures used to maintain and promote the safety of the patient and environment.

This service scored 62 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

Patients felt safe, supported and approached staff if they had any concerns or felt unsafe. Staff supported them to manage risks and when needed would act to maintain their safety and offer support.

Staff identified and reported safeguarding concerns and demonstrated good knowledge. They identified different forms of abuse, and the signs associated with these. Staff attended regular patient safety and safeguarding meetings where important information, and lessons learned were shared.

Staff engaged with patients in a caring and meaningful way, having a genuine interest in the patient. Staff approached patients in a compassionate and caring manner. Relevant safeguarding information was displayed on the ward information boards.

There was a clear process when raising a safeguarding. Senior leaders had regular meetings with the local authority safeguarding team to discuss progress on investigations. The Farndon Unit had 8 safeguarding incidents between June 2024 and August 2024, all involved the local authority and where required managers had put appropriate actions in place.

Staff supported patients to manage risks, they felt safe and supported on the ward. If items had to be removed or restricted to manage risk, an explanation was given.

Staff always tried keep patients as safe as possible. being aware of the risks on the ward. Staff had a person-centred approach and involved patients, where possible to complete and review care plans and risk assessments. Staff had personal alarms which were used to request support at the time of incidents and maintain the safety of the ward. Staff had a least restrictive approach when managing risk. There was a thorough shift handover which staff attended. When patients used their section 17 leave staff checked patients in and out of the ward, and where appropriate security searches were completed. Patient risk was managed through observation levels dependant on level of risk, this was agreed by a multi-disciplinary team. Patient observations were completed as prescribed. There was a risk item register which was regularly updated.

Staff had access to a patient search policy that gave clear guidance on when staff would carry out searches on patients, patient belongings and patient rooms. It guided staff to always seek consent from the patient first and constituted to a justifiable search. There were several banned and restricted items on the ward area to help maintain patient safety.

We did not look at Safe environments during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

There was enough staff for patients who were well trained to keep them staff. If their health deteriorated, they would approach staff who offered advice and supported the to stay well and safe.

Wards had enough staff on them to meet people's needs. Managers reviewed staffing regularly and adjusted to reflect the needs of the patient. Staffing could be increased at short notice if required. Patients leave and activities were occasionally delayed but very rarely cancelled due to issues with staffing. The service had an ongoing recruitment drive, an induction was completed by new staff and all staff completed mandatory training.

Staffing numbers were sufficient to complete individual patient observations safely, and to provide support for patients, including 1 to 1 meetings with their key worker. The ward office had a good view of the environment which allowed staff to in the office to observe and provide support if required.

Safe staffing levels were met by the service, staffing rotas showed the wards were staffed with mainly permanent staff, to guarantee safe staffing levels were met the service did use agency and bank workers, who were regular to the service and therefore knew the needs of the patients. Mandatory training was completed by all staff which was updated regularly. The services mandatory training compliance was over 88% The managerial compliance rate was over 90%.

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

There were no concerns raised by patients regarding medicines during this assessment.

When a patient was admitted the on-call doctor came to the ward and completed the admission process, this included formulating a medication chart. Patients received the relevant information about their medicines, patients would also discuss this in their multi-disciplinary ward round meetings. Medicines and treatment were reviewed regularly.

All clinic rooms and medicines fridges were clean, and staff had access to all the appropriate equipment. Medicines were managed and dispensed according to national guidance, this included the management of controlled medicines. Staff could access patient medication documentation, this included individual patient allergy information.

Staff could access the services medicines management policy. All medication records had a photograph of the patient with their consent to maintain safe dispensing, the medicines charts were maintained electronically. Staff followed the services safe prescribing practices medicines policy. The clinic rooms were well stocked with the necessary equipment available.