Good –––
Is the service safe?
Our findings
People we spoke with had no concerns about their own
safety during their stay at the hospice and felt staff helped
them to feel safe due to being there when they needed
them. One person told us that they felt safe because staff
made sure their pain was relieved and staff were always
available to meet their needs during the day and at night.
They told us, “I feel safe and secure here, the staff give me
reassurance when I need it, this means a lot to me right
now. If I need staff they come, make sure I am safe; it
doesn’t matter if it is day or night. Staff have showed
nothing but kindness, I have never once felt neglected by
them.”
Staff told us about how they would protect people’s safety
from the risks of potential harm and abuse. Staff explained
how they would recognise and report abuse. One staff
member told us they had never witnessed any harm or
abuse to people at the hospice. They said that they could,
“Honestly say patients have never been harmed here none
of us would tolerate them being harmed.” Staff consistently
told us they would report any harm or abuse they
witnessed to the appropriate senior staff on duty and felt
confident appropriate actions would be taken so that
people’s safety was maintained.
We saw risks to people’s safety and welfare had been
considered whilst they received their care at the hospice.
We heard examples from staff where possible risks to
people’s wellbeing had been assessed and actions
identified to reduce risks. One staff member told us how
people’s individual needs were assessed before and on
arrival at the hospice. They were able to provide examples
of where people may need support due to their
deteriorating health condition which could impact upon
their skin and walking abilities. We saw different risk
assessments were used to both indicate the level of risk to
a person and what preventative actions staff took to reduce
risks to people. The registered manager gave us examples
of where some people’s sore skin had been helped to heal
which was positive as people were at times very poorly.
Another staff member explained how people’s physical
abilities were assessed to make sure all staff knew how to
assist each person so that people received safe care
consistently. Staff spoken with knew how to manage the
risks to people who were using the hospice service at the
time of our inspection. One person we spoke with told us
5 St Giles Hospice - Walsall Inspection report 21/12/2015
how they would be at risk of falling without the support of
staff. They said, “The care they give me really helps me to
feel safe, if I need any aids we talk about how they will help
me and they make sure I have them but only with my
agreement.” We saw staff had specialised equipment in
order to meet people’s needs and reduce risks, such as,
bed sides. Staff told us all equipment used was reviewed
daily during each shift to further ensure people are not
placed at risk due to the specific equipment in place.
The registered manager and staff gave us examples of how
they assessed and balanced the risks associated with what
people wanted to achieve in their lives. One example was
when a person suddenly changed their mind about where
they wanted to die and wanted to go home. To enable this
person’s wishes to die at home to be realised equipment
and support was put in place in a timely way so that risks to
their safety were managed and reduced. One staff member
told us, “All the team here will always make sure patients
are safe. We discuss safety and risks with patients and gain
their views.” One person we spoke with confirmed this was
the case. They told us, “The doctor has spoken with me
about plans for when I leave here, so that I can get the care
I need and I am safe.” We also saw the hospice environment
supported people to meet their individual lifestyles so that
people were not discriminated against whilst risks were
reduced for other people. For example, we saw some
people used the dedicated room for smoking which was
situated away from the main rooms in the hospice so that
this did not compromise other people’s needs and
wellbeing.
Staff told us, and records showed that when accidents and
incidents had occurred they had been analysed so that
steps could be taken to help prevent them from happening
again. For example, when people had a pressure ulcer or
when people experienced a fall the outcomes from the
analysis were used to influence consistent staff practices.
Staff told us and we saw from the last quarterly report
specific equipment had been introduced so that the risks
to people from falling and sustaining injuries could be
reduced. This included movement sensors when these
were assessed as appropriate for the person.
People we spoke with did not have any concerns about the
availability of staff to meet their individual needs at times
they required assistance and support. One person told us,
“When I need staff they are here immediately, I never have
to wait which is what I need when I am in pain or need