Uniq Health Care's first CQC inspection rated the service overall Good, with Safe requiring improvement due to gaps in controlled drug registers, staff recruitment checks, fire safety, infection control, and a failure to notify CQC of one safeguarding incident. The remaining four key questions were rated Good, reflecting strong person-centred care, low staff turnover, effective multi-disciplinary working, and a positive, improvement-driven leadership culture.
Concerns (8)
criticalSafeguarding: “The registered manager did not always recognise when to notify concerns of abuse to CQC as required, which meant one previous incident was not reported”
moderateMedication management: “the service did not implement their policy and procedure to ensure a CDs register was in place. The registered manager said this was an oversight and took immediate action”
moderateStaff training: “National guidance recommends these types of techniques are usually for administrative staff or short term until more robust training is implemented”
moderateStaffing levels: “Staff recruitment processes such as employment references, reasons for leaving employment and recent photographic identification were not always robustly implemented”
moderateGovernance: “Audits had not always identified shortfalls in implementing policies and procedures in relation to controlled drugs or staff recruitment”
minorRecord keeping: “recorded assessments did not always consider the storage of medicines to promote privacy and independence”
minorInfection control: “the service did not consistently advise visitors about hand hygiene or health screening to reduce the risk of catching and spreading infection”
minorIncident learning: “The management team told us they reviewed and acted upon every accident and incident although this was not documented on the report documentation”
Strengths
· Staff turnover was very low, supporting consistent care from staff who knew people well
· Staff understood and implemented STOMP principles, ensuring medicines were not used excessively or inappropriately
· Service worked closely with multi-disciplinary teams including the community Intensive Support Team to reduce restrictive practices
· People were well matched with designated support workers, promoting comfort, engagement and positive relationships
· Staff promoted equality, diversity and culturally appropriate care, understanding people's cultural needs
Quality-Statement breakdown (24)
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementRequires improvement
safe: Using medicines safelyRequires improvement
safe: Staffing and recruitmentRequires improvement
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionRequires improvement
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies; supporting people to live healthier lives and access healthcareGood
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 controlGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships 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: Promoting a positive, person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering cultureGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about roles; understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people, the public and staffGood