Aegis Care Solutions achieved an overall Good rating at its June 2023 inspection, with strengths in medicines management, consistent care delivery and positive service-user feedback. The Well-led domain was rated Requires Improvement due to ineffective quality assurance audits, inconsistent staff supervision and a culture where staff did not always feel safe raising concerns.
Concerns (6)
moderateGovernance: “care plan audits had not identified inconsistent quality in relation to risk assessments or MCA records. Staff audits did not identify issues with some staff's employment end dates not being recorded.”
moderate
Supervision / appraisal
: “staff were not always aware of whistleblowing procedures or consistently supported via structured supervisions.”
moderateLeadership: “Some staff members told us they did not always feel comfortable raising concerns to management or if concerns were raised, these would not be acted upon.”
moderateConsent / capacity: “We found examples of mental capacity assessments which were not decision specific. The service was not consistently confirming if relatives had the required Power of Attorney.”
minorRecord keeping: “1 person's risk assessment indicated they required thickener in their drinks, however this had been reviewed by the speech and language therapist and was no longer required.”
minorStaff competency: “the service was not always recording staff's employment end dates and there was the risk of employment gaps not being fully explored.”
Strengths
· Medicines management systems were well organised and people were receiving their medicines when they should; MAR records were detailed and regular audits conducted.
· People and relatives were positive about care quality, describing staff as experienced, consistent and punctual with no evidence of late or missed visits.
· Most risks to people's care were assessed and measures put in place; the registered manager had clear oversight of accidents and incidents with lessons learnt.
· Staff completed a comprehensive induction and training programme with up-to-date records.
· The provider was responsive and open with the inspection process, quickly acting on issues raised.
Quality-Statement breakdown (15)
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceRequires improvement
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
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
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles; continuous learning and improving care; promoting a positive cultureRequires improvement
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood