Bluebell Homecare received an overall Good rating across all five key questions at its first inspection in November 2019, with 32 people receiving personal care in their own homes. Minor gaps were noted in risk assessment detail and absence of recorded end-of-life care plans, but no regulatory breaches were identified and the service was widely praised for compassionate, person-centred care.
Concerns (2)
minor
Care planning
: “Although individual risks to people had been assessed, managed and reviewed, some guidance did not always reflect the highly person-centred support being provided to keep people and others safe.”
minorEnd-of-life care: “Although the service placed great importance on high quality end of life care, there were no care plans in place which recorded information on people's end of life wishes and preferences.”
Strengths
· People and relatives consistently described staff as kind, compassionate and like family, with multiple unsolicited compliments received.
· Consistent staffing with no missed visits reported; people always informed if staff running late.
· Medicines managed safely with manager observations of practice and audits of MAR sheets.
· Strong multi-disciplinary working with district nurses, community matrons, GPs and local authority praised by health and social care professionals.
· Staff well trained with induction, shadowing, supervision, appraisals and ongoing training opportunities.
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
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: 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; 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: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Working in partnership with others; Continuous learning and improving careGood