Background to this inspection
Updated
13 July 2022
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by an inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was announced. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or the registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 8 June 2022 and ended on 23 June 2022. We visited the location’s office on 23 June 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We also contacted Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.
A Provider Information Return (PIR) was completed prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people and one relative by phone. We also emailed a relative for their feedback. We spoke with the registered manager and a care worker. We also emailed five care staff including the field care supervisor and received responses from three staff about what it was like to work for Radfield Home Care Newcastle upon Tyne. We reviewed records which the registered manager sent us remotely including records relating to three people’s care, staff training and recruitment and the management of the service.
Updated
13 July 2022
About the service
Radfield Home Care Newcastle upon Tyne is a service providing personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were nine people receiving personal care. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
There was a safeguarding system in place. People told us they felt safe with the staff who supported them. One person said, “I’m doing very well with this agency. I feel very safe with everyone that comes here.” A staff member told us, “I strongly believe that people are safe with the staff teams, I feel that the management team are very approachable and will solve any problems that I and others feel need raising.”
Medicines were managed safely. Recruitment was ongoing. Whilst there were sufficient staff deployed to meet people’s current needs, the registered manager told us that a delay in DBS checks and increased fuel costs had impacted upon recruitment.
People and relatives told us that staff used PPE appropriately to help prevent the risk of cross infection. One relative said, “They always wear gloves and aprons – yes, they do. The carers have had spot checks done on them too.” We have made a recommendation about staff COVID-19 testing.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
An effective system was in place to ensure that staff were competent, trained and supported. One staff member said, “I have had a great induction and a lot of training making me feel confident in my role for example, catheter care training, medication training and manual handling training.”
People and relatives told us staff were caring and treated people well. Staff gave us examples of how they not only met people's physical needs, but also helped promote people's emotional wellbeing. For example, one staff member bought sponge cakes and scones for a person who was feeling a little down.
People and relatives told us that staff were responsive to their needs. One relative told us, “I think they're very responsive - yes, the staff are all so patient.”
People and relatives spoke positively the service. Comments included, “I think the agency is very well run, the manager knows exactly how she likes things to be” and “I think they are outstanding. I would give them top marks.”
Staff also spoke highly about working at the service. One staff member stated, “Radfield is a great place to work and I would recommend this to friends and family, and I would be happy to have a member of Radfield caring after a loved one of mine.”
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 21 April 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date the service was registered.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.