MSK Healthcare, a small domiciliary care agency supporting 7 people, achieved a Good rating across all five key questions at its first CQC inspection in March 2023. The service demonstrated strong person-centred practice, safe recruitment, consistent staffing, and effective governance, with only minor gaps around PRN medicines guidance and end-of-life care training, both of which were promptly addressed.
Concerns (2)
minor
Medication management
: “staff did not have written guidance for medicines which were required 'as needed' (PRN). This was not in line with the providers own policy.”
minorEnd-of-life care: “Staff had not completed end of life care training at the time of our inspection. However, since our visit the provider told us staff had now completed this training.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and praised staff and management for kindness, honesty and consistency of care.
· Risks were thoroughly assessed and regularly reviewed, with clear staff guidance including falls risk management.
· Staff were safely recruited with full DBS, reference and employment history checks.
· People received care on time from consistent, familiar staff, reducing anxiety.
· Care plans were personalised and people and families were fully involved in their development.
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
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: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
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 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: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people, continuous learning and improving careGood