Coastal Lodge

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.

The service 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. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. Relatives told us they had received calls from the service if a significant event occurred. A person told us, “The staff always inform my loved one [name] if anything changes.” Incidents within the service, were recorded, and discussed to prevent reoccurrence. Accidents, incidents and events were recorded on the provider’s electronic systems. The registered manager was informed of each incident and undertook monthly reviews to identify trends.

The service 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.

People felt confident their needs would be met by staff and information would be shared to promote seamless care. A person told us, “Staff give you a road map to getting better.” Information about medical professionals was included within people’s care plans. Records of conversations were extensive and discussed at weekly review meetings. Progress goals were clear which meant care and support plans were updated frequently as people achieved their goals. Staff told us information was available to them about people’s care or if they needed to speak with external professionals. People’s needs, and care requirements were detailed within their care plans and risk assessments on the electronic system. A summary sheet was available if the person returned to hospital, moved to an alternative care provider or went to their own home. This had promoted continuity of care for people.

The service 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. People told us they were safe and happy with their care and support at the service. A person said, “Oh, they are fabulous here.” Another person told us, “They are as close as it can be to being with friends.” Staff had received training in safeguarding adults, they told us how they would raise concerns and were confident the registered manager would act immediately. Safeguarding procedures were in place to ensure people were protected from avoidable harm. Safeguarding was a topic for discussion, not only during annual training but within all staff meetings. Posters displayed within the service reminded people, visitors and staff of contact details for reporting concerns. Records showed safeguarding referrals had been made as necessary and this included notifying CQC of certain events as required by law. All legal applications had been made in accordance with DoLS, this meant people’s rights were fully respected. The registered manager had oversight of DoLS applications and fully understood their responsibilities.

The service 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. Risks to people’s wellbeing and safety had been identified, assessed and measures put in place to reduce them. Records detailed how staff should work to ensure safety, together with how to meet people’s individual rehabilitation goals. General risk assessments for the service were in place which considered people’s individual needs within the communal environment such as fire safety. A person told us how the service managed his risks and said, “Staff have protocols, and they stick to them.”

The service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care.

Equipment and utility checks were in place and closely monitored to promote safety. There was a programme of works and reminders of expiry dates. The service used external specialists and contractors to undertake some checks, particularly where there was need for a specialism, such as gas and fire safety. The provider ensured all works were scheduled and carried out. Checks undertaken in the service such as water temperatures and fire equipment checks were complete.

The service made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. People told us staff were there when they needed them. A person told us, “You press that bell, and 3 or 4 staff are here as quick as a flash.” People told us the staff knew how to support them well. Staff received a programme of training and support which helped them to carry out their role effectively. A member of staff said, “I’m always up for more training. I like to learn and refresh my knowledge. I’m open to anything that will help me do my job better.” Staff told us they felt supported by the registered manager and management team. Supervisions were carried out and staff told us they could access support at any time. We observed the service to be busy but also calm and relaxed. A person said, “Staff are wonderful, whatever you ask for they will do.” There was a process in place to measure people’s dependency and levels of need which had informed staffing levels within the service. Staff were recruited safely, and recruitment records reflected this. Procedures were in place to ensure the required checks were carried out on staff before they commenced their employment. This included enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for adults. DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the police national computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. Learning and development was in place to ensure staff were properly inducted into the service and their knowledge developed. The registered manager and management team had oversight of training within the service.

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. Staff received training in infection prevention and control. Dedicated staff ensured the home was clean, they worked to agreed schedules. We observed the service to be clean and hygienic, this was mentioned positively to us by each person and their relatives. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was worn appropriately by staff. Safe infection prevention and control procedures were in place, and this underpinned practices within the service. Infection control procedures and audits were in line with good practice guidance. Staff had plentiful supplies of cleaning materials, products, and PPE.

The service made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. They involved people in planning, including when changes happened. People received their medicines as prescribed. There were safe processes in place for ordering, storage, administration and disposal of medicines. Staff who were responsible for giving people medicines were trained and had their competency assessed. A programme of checks was in place to support safety. Medicines were stored at safe temperatures and checks were in place to ensure this was maintained. Guidance supported staff to ensure medicines taken occasionally were given in a consistent way. Medicines which required stricter controls were monitored and correct control measures were in place. Risks associated with some prescribed creams were assessed and staff were aware of safe control measures. However, we found the providers process was not always followed in regard to stock counts and completion of documentation. The registered manager took immediate action and completed a full-service audit to ensure compliance.