Walfinch Mid & South Buckinghamshire achieved a Good rating across all five key questions on its first CQC inspection, with strong person-centred care, effective multi-agency working, and well-regarded leadership. Two minor recommendations were made regarding staff hand hygiene practices and the robustness of employment references.
Concerns (2)
minor
Infection control
: “We observed two staff who came in to the office were wearing nail varnish or had acrylic nails fitted. These prevent effective handwashing.”
minorRecord keeping: “Some references for perspective employees provided insufficient information...one had no date and was written 'to whom it may concern' by what appeared to be a colleague and friend.”
Strengths
· People spoke highly of staff kindness, compassion and competence, with comments including 'I cannot fault them'
· Comprehensive training programme including face-to-face and online courses; service received a best training award from the Walfinch franchise of 40 branches
· Strong multi-agency working with community professionals, including going 'beyond the call of duty' to raise welfare concerns
· Robust care planning with personalised, regularly reviewed care plans reflecting communication and sensory needs
· Effective governance including audits, spot checks, and duty of candour policy with documented examples of application
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
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: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
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
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversity; promoting 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: 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: Continuous learning and improving care; working in partnership with othersGood