Health and Social Care Centre, a nurse-led domiciliary care agency supporting 47 people, was rated Good across all five key questions at its first inspection. Minor issues around historic staffing gaps, overdue supervisions and a consent record had been identified and addressed through audits and recruitment drives.
Concerns (3)
minor
Staffing levels
: “some care packages did have staffing gaps, I know they struggle to get staff sometimes, but there seem to be enough staff now.”
minorSupervision / appraisal: “We saw from an audit carried out in April 2021 some staff had not received supervision or it was overdue.”
minorConsent / capacity: “One person's records did not show the person had given consent to care... this was a technical problem as the computer system had been updated and the signature had not transferred.”
Strengths
· Safe recruitment practices including DBS checks, references and English language testing for overseas staff
· Medicines safely managed by trained and competent staff with up-to-date records
· Robust infection prevention with PPE, COVID-19 vaccinations and testing
· Person-centred care plans with involvement of people and relatives, including 'meet and greet' staff matching
· Strong governance with weekly, monthly and quarterly audits and action plans driving improvement
Quality-Statement breakdown (23)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
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: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting 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 preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Working in partnership with othersGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood