St Giles Hospice CQC Report 2017 St_Giles_Hospice_CQC_Report_2017 | Page 9

Good
Is the service safe?
Our findings
People and their relatives told us they felt safe when staff provided care. They said that staff took time to
make sure that people were safely supported. All confirmed they had no concerns about the safety in care
provided by the hospice. One person said, "I feel completely safe; staff are brilliant; they know what they are
doing." Another person's relative told us, "Staff always take the time to listen and explain options, they
always make us feel safe and reassured." The provider's records of feedback received from people and their
relatives from April to June 2016 showed that people felt safe and secure when they received care from staff
at the service. Survey returns we received from people and their relatives also showed this.
During our inspection we observed that staff supported people safely when they provided care. For example,
when they supported people to move or to take their medicines. People and relatives told us that staff
consulted with them about known risks to people's safety from their health conditions and environment
and how these could be managed. Many commented that this helped them to feel safe and in control of
their care. Staff we spoke with understood people's safety needs and related care requirements, which were
recorded in their written care plans.
People's care records showed that risks to their safety from their health conditions, environment and care
equipment, were assessed, monitored and reviewed with them or their representatives before they received
care. This was done in a way that met with recognised national guidance. For example, in relation to known
risks associated with certain medical treatments; risks from falls, infection and skin sores or from care
equipment such as urinary catheters. Staff we spoke with understood people's safety needs and related care
requirements. This showed that people were safely supported in a way that helped them to feel safe and in
control of their care.
The provider's arrangements to identi fy; monitor and act on care and service level risks were
comprehensive, routinely followed and regularly reviewed. For example, this included known risks
associated with people's clinical care and treatment, staffing arrangements, the hospice environment and
equipment used for people's care. Clinical incidents, accidents and safeguarding concerns were routinely
monitored, recorded and analysed. This helped to determine any root cause; whether they were avoidable
and action plans to mitigate further risk when required. Related discussions with staff along with staff
meetings, patient safety and training records showed that findings and any improvements needed were
routinely shared with management, relevant staff groups and hospice board members. Staff said this was
done in a highly positive way that helped to promote their reflection, learning and where required debriefing
and critical incident review. This helped to ensure people's safe care and treatment.
Throughout our inspection we saw the hospice environment was clean and well maintained with no related,
observable hazards to people's safety. Survey returns we received from people, their relatives and staff
showed they felt the hospice environment was well maintained, kept clean and hygienic. They also showed
that staff did all they could to ensure good infection control. For example by using anti-bacterial hand gels,
and protective clothing such as gloves and aprons when required, which we observed during our inspection.
External health and social care professionals we surveyed told us they felt staff followed good hygiene and
9 St Giles Hospice - Whittington Inspection report 24 February 2017