Alina Homecare Specialist Care - Somerset was rated Good overall following a November 2022 inspection, with Safe and Effective both Good, but Well-led dropped to Requires Improvement due to inconsistent staff communication, absent handovers, lack of keyworker allocation, and irregular supervision. The provider had acknowledged these issues and was introducing corrective measures including handover documents and a keyworking system.
Concerns (8)
moderateCommunication with families: “I informed the company I wanted to be informed on every occasion emergency medicine was given and I am not. Another relative said, "They don't communicate with me."”
moderate
Staffing levels
: “Staffing levels are a problem, not enough staff. There have been new staff join but then they leave again.”
moderateGovernance: “The systems to communicate messages to staff were not consistently effective. Staff did not always receive a verbal or written handover.”
moderateSupervision / appraisal: “Supervision had been completed with staff but not as regularly as planned by the service. Staff commented, "I have had one supervision this year."”
moderatePerson-centred care: “People did not have a named keyworker. One relative said, "[Name of person] has been with Alina care for 19 months, but we still do not have a named key worker."”
moderateLeadership: “Staff rota planning and changes impacted service delivery. A staff member said, "Staff get moved around all the time. The rota keeps changing. Staff can't plan anything."”
minorInfection control: “A staff member said, "Cleaning gets done but there is not a structure. No cleaning records are kept."”
minorConsent / capacity: “Some staff we spoke with were not always clear on the status of people's DoLS. The registered manager said this would be addressed.”
Strengths
· Medicines were managed and administered safely with competency assessments, temperature monitoring, and regular audits.
· Staff received safeguarding training and understood how to identify and report concerns; safeguarding notifications were submitted appropriately.
· Risk assessments were completed for individual risks and guidance was in place for staff to manage and reduce risk while promoting independence.
· Staff supported people with healthcare needs including annual health checks, dental and eye care appointments.
· People were supported with nutrition and involved in planning, shopping and preparing meals.
Quality-Statement breakdown (16)
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
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; supporting people to live healthier livesGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standardsGood
well-led: Promoting a positive, person-centred, open and inclusive cultureRequires improvement
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about roles, quality performance and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people, the public and staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care; working in partnershipGood