Esteemed Life Care (Preston) achieved a Good rating across all five key questions at its first CQC inspection in October 2023, with 65 people supported by well-trained, caring staff who worked effectively with external professionals. Minor areas for improvement included risk assessment consistency, moving and handling training, statutory notification timeliness, and the absence of formal feedback mechanisms for people using the service.
Concerns (5)
minor
Care planning
: “not everyone had the same risk assessments completed. The manager planned to streamline the risk assessments to improve consistency and make sure all areas were covered”
minorStaff training: “Some staff felt that training for specific types of equipment for moving and handling could be better.”
minorGovernance: “there was a delay to the submission of others as the manager did not have the correct access. This was addressed immediately, and notifications made retrospectively.”
minorRecord keeping: “there was no contingency in case there was no signal, for example in rural areas. The manager had plans to address this in the near future.”
minorPerson-centred care: “Although people said they had never been formally asked for feedback they said they had regular contact with managers.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and spoke positively about staff; 'The carers are wonderful that I've got at the moment, and they keep me very safe.'
· Medicines managed safely with monthly audits, competency checks and a medicines policy in place.
· Staff were well trained, up to date, and the manager held 'train the trainer' qualifications to cascade training.
· Electronic care planning and rota systems enabled remote access for people and relatives.
· Staff worked effectively with a range of external professionals including district nurses, OTs, community mental health teams and social workers.
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
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 care; Supporting people to live healthier livesGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversity; privacy, dignity and independenceGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
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: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships; support to follow interests and take part in activitiesGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportNot rated
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care; Working in partnership with othersGood