We carried out a review of the data available to us about Alcedo Care Chester on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Alcedo Care Chester, you can give feedback on this service.
Alcedo Care is a nurse led domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care and support to people living in their own homes within the areas of Chester, Ellesmere Port, Neston and Wirral. At the time of our inspection 45 people were using the service.
Not everyone who used the service may receive 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
Recruitment procedures were safe and staffing levels were sufficient to meet the needs of the people using the service. There was a consistent induction programme that included shadowing opportunities. Staff training included e-learning and classroom sessions. People consistently said staff were kind and caring. People’s privacy and dignity was respected.
Safeguarding policies and procedures were in place. People were protected from the risk of abuse. Staff had received training and understood how to keep people safe and who to report to if they had any concerns.
People’s care plans and risk assessments were detailed and reviewed regularly. They reflected people’s individual needs and preferences. People who used the service told us they felt well supported by some regular staff that knew them well. The staff and management team worked closely with health and social care professionals to ensure the best outcomes for people.
Medicines policies and procedures were in place. Staff were trained and regularly had their competency assessed in medicines management. Staff knew how to ensure people received their prescribed medicines on time.
The provider had quality assurance systems in place. These included care plan audits, review of daily records, analysis of accidents and incidents and staff spot checks. This information was were used to drive development and improvements at the service. There was a complaints procedure in place that people and their relatives were aware of. People told us they felt confident to raise any concerns and complaints they had.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
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.
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 28 April 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.