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, supported and listened to. Patients said they were treated with dignity, respect, felt they were treated as individuals, and were encouraged to be involved in their care and treatment plans. The provider minimised restrictive practices, and managed risk well. Staff were familiar with policies and procedures used to safeguard patients and maintain a safe environment whilst using a least restrictive approach.

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 able to approach staff if they had any concerns or felt unsafe. Staff supported them to manage risks and would act where needed to keep them safe and offer support.

Staff had good knowledge of safeguarding and knew how to identify and report safeguarding concerns. 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 had good quality meaningful engagement with patients and appeared to display a genuine interest in the patient. Staff were observed having a caring and compassionate approach when engaging with patients. Safeguarding information was displayed on the ward notice boards.

A clear process was in place to support staff when raising a safeguarding. Managers had meetings regularly with the local authority safeguarding where progress on investigations was discussed. The service had had 8 safeguarding incidents between June 2024 and August 2024, all were involved with the local authority and managers had put appropriate actions in place where required.

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 tried to keep patients as safe as possible and they were aware of potential risks on the ward. Staff had a person-centred approach and involved patients, where possible when completing and reviewing risk assessment and care plans. All staff had a pinpoint personal alarm which they used to request support at the time of incidents to maintain ward safety. Staff were trained in and had a least restrictive approach to manage risk, using de-escalation and distraction techniques before using physical intervention when incidents occurred. Staff attended a thorough shift handover, where patients individual risks and risk management plans, including nursing observations were discussed. Patient observations were completed efficiently, searches were completed when patients returned from leave, if appropriate to do so. There was a risk item register which was regularly updated.

There was a comprehensive patient search policy in place which staff had access to, the policy was detailed that gave clear guidance on when staff would carry out searches on patients, their belongings and where required patient rooms. It highlighted the need for staff to seek consent form the patient first and constituted to a search that was justifiable. There was a restricted items log which was person-centred and relevant to the individual risk of the patient. This supported staff to maintain the safety of the patient, and environment.

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

Patients felt there were enough well trained staff who were able to keep them safe. They felt able to approach staff if they felt their health was deteriorating. Staff supported them and offered support and advice around staying well.

Safe staffing numbers were in place, and these were adjusted to reflect patient needs. Wards were very rarely short staffed and there was capacity to increase staff at short notice if required. Patient activities and leave were sometimes delayed but rarely cancelled due to staffing issues. Managers carried out ongoing recruitment drives. New staff completed an induction and comprehensive mandatory training.

Sufficient staff were in place to complete individual patient observations, and to provide patient support including 1 to 1 key worker meetings. The ward office was situated with a good view of the ward which allowed staff in the office to observe the environment and provide additional support where needed.

The service met safe staffing levels. Staff rotas showed the service and ward were staffed mainly by permanent staff. To ensure safe staffing levels were met, managers used bank and agency workers who were regular to the service and therefore knew the patients and their needs. All staff completed mandatory training and completed relevant updates. The service had a mandatory training compliance of over 88%. Managers supported staff with regular managerial supervision. 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.

Patients raised no concerns with medicines during the assessment.

The on-call doctor attended the ward when a patient was admitted and completed the admissions process which included the formulation of a medicines chart. All patients received information leaflets, and this was discussed with patients in their multi-disciplinary ward round meetings where medicines were reviewed regularly.

All clinic rooms and medicines fridges were clean, and staff had access to all appropriate equipment. Medicines were stored, managed and dispensed in line with national guidance including the management of controlled medicines. Staff had access to relevant patient medicines documentation, including information on patient allergies.

Staff had access to 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 medicines policy and safe prescribing practices. The clinic room appeared well stocked with relevant well-maintained equipment available for use.