Symphony House Nursing Home

Symphony House Nursing Home provides accommodation across 2 floors with 2 communal lounge and dining rooms. The second floor can be accessed via a lift. Bedrooms have private en-suite facilities.

Individualised risk assessments were in place. However, measures were not always in place for staff guidance and to mitigate risk. Risks in the environment such as from fire and water safety and hygiene were assessed and mitigated with regular safety checks taking place.

People were not always supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives as mental capacity assessments were generalised to all decisions and did not consider what decisions people could make independently. However, staff were observed and feedback suggested that people were supported in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service required improvement to support this practice.

Medicines required some improvement to ensure staff had clear guidance, people received their medicines as prescribed and effectiveness of medicines could be monitored. Medicines were stored and disposed of safely and staff were trained in specialist techniques for administration.

Systems and processes were not consistently effective in maintaining oversight of the safety and quality of the service.

The home was clean and free from odour, infection control measures were in place to prevent the risk of infection. Staff were trained and used PPE appropriately. Staff were tested in line with current guidance.

Accidents and incidents were recorded and analysed for trends and patterns and referrals were made to professionals where required to mitigate risk.

There was a supportive culture in the home with evidence of independence, choice and inclusion. Positive risk taking was supported.

Feedback was sought about people's experience of care which was collated to look for where improvement could be made. People and their relatives had developed good relationships with staff and were leading their own care. Staff felt well supported, were able to share ideas and concerns and felt listened to. There was evidence of partnership working with other healthcare professionals to support people's needs and improve the service.