Polly Care Services received an overall Good rating at its first inspection, with Safe rated Requires Improvement due to recruitment shortfalls where only one reference per staff member had been obtained. The provider responded immediately, and Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led were all rated Good.
Concerns (3)
moderate
Staff competency
: “The provider did not always obtain two satisfactory character and/or previous employer references from previous employer/s to check the suitability and fitness of staff they employed.”
moderateOther: “the provider had only obtained one reference for each member of staff they currently employed, contrary to recognised best staff recruitment practice and the providers own staff recruitment procedures.”
minorMedication management: “following a number of medicine's recording errors that occurred in the first half of 2022 the provider responded appropriately by introducing a new electronic medicine's monitoring system”
Strengths
· People received consistently good-quality and safe care from the same group of staff who were familiar with their needs and preferences
· Medicines were well-organised and people received their prescribed medicines as and when they should
· Staff followed current best practice guidelines regarding the prevention and control of infection, including those associated with COVID-19
· Staff had the right mix of knowledge, skills and support to deliver good-quality, safe care
· Person-centred care plans tailored to individual needs and wishes
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Staffing and recruitmentNot rated
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseNot rated
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementNot rated
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionNot rated
safe: Using medicines safelyNot rated
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongNot rated
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawNot rated
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceNot rated
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietNot rated
effective: Supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare services and supportNot rated
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceNot rated
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceNot rated
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityNot rated
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careNot rated
responsive: Planning personalised care to meet people's needs, preferences, interests and give them choice and controlNot rated
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsNot rated
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsNot rated
responsive: End of life care and supportNot rated
well-led: Planning and promoting person-centred, high-quality care and support; duty of candourNot rated
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffNot rated
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements; continuous learningNot rated
well-led: Working in partnership with othersNot rated