Altimate Care Services UK Ltd received a Good rating across all five key questions in its first CQC inspection, conducted remotely on 3 May 2023. The service demonstrated safe, well-managed domiciliary care with strong recruitment practices, personalised care planning, and positive feedback from people and relatives.
Strengths
· People felt safe with staff and no missed visits were reported; a relative confirmed 'We never had a missed call where the staff did not come.'
· Robust recruitment with DBS checks, identity verification and references completed before staff started work.
· Medicines administration records were fully signed with no gaps, and medicines were managed safely.
· Staff received regular training including safeguarding, MCA, infection control, equality and diversity, and end of life care.
· Comprehensive, personalised care plans developed with involvement of people and relatives.
Quality-Statement breakdown (21)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare services and supportGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferences; End of life care and supportGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements; Promoting a positive cultureGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staff; Continuous learning and improving careGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood