Background to this inspection
Updated
8 January 2021
The inspection
This was a focused inspection to check on specific concerns we had about the service in relation to their infection prevention and control practices and oversight of whether safe moving and handling practices were carried out by care staff.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector, with another inspector who made calls to people and relatives.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure staff were able to speak with us.
Inspection activity started on 25 November 2020 and ended on 18 December 2020. We visited the office location on 25 November 2020.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from Northamptonshire Country Council and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person who used the service and seven relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, assistant manager and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records, including medication care plans. We looked at thirteen staff records in relation to staff competency. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found and made calls to care staff. We looked at training information and quality assurance records. We spoke with one professional who regularly works with the service.
Updated
8 January 2021
About the service
The Care Bureau Wellingborough is a domiciliary care agency. It provided personal care to 102 people living in their own homes at the time of the inspection.
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
People and relatives said the staff provided safe, good care. They told us the staff were caring and they got on well with them. A relative told us their relative had a good relationship with their care staff.
People were risk assessed when they began using the service and staff knew how to keep them safe. Staff provided personalised care and were knowledgeable about people's preferences as to how they wanted their care provided.
Relatives were satisfied with the times of the calls; however, people had reported care staff being late on occasions. The provider said the service had done its best to get to people on time during the COVID-19 pandemic and staff would continue to strive to be as punctual as possible.
Staff protected people from the spread of infection. They were trained in infection prevention and control and used the required personal protective equipment including masks, gloves, aprons and goggles as necessary. The provider kept staff up to date with any improvements or changes to infection control policies and procedures. The provider audited all aspects of the service to help ensure people were receiving good quality, safe care.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, peoples’, relatives' and staff views were collected by phone and surveys. The staff worked in partnership with local health and social care professionals to ensure people accessed services they were entitled to.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 19 March 2020).
Why we inspected
We received information of concern about infection control and prevention measures at this service. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider had in place.
We inspected and received some further concerns which required further investigation, so we widened the scope of the inspection to become a focused inspection which included the key questions of safe and well-led.
The overall rating for the service has remained the same. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.