12 January 2017
During a routine inspection
This announced inspection took place on 12 and 13 January 2017. This was the provider’s first inspection since their registration in August 2016. This inspection was prompted in part by a concerns shared by an anonymous person. The information shared with CQC about the concerns indicated potential concerns about the about the arrangements for the management of medicines of people using the service. This inspection examined those concerns.
We found that the arrangements for the management of medicines of people using the service were not robust. Some medicine errors were not fully investigated and managed appropriately and some staff had not been fully assessed as competent to administer medicines, following their medicines training in line with the provider’s policy. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.
At this inspection we found a breach of regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities), Regulations 2014 in relation to safe care and treatment.
The service had a system to assess and monitor the quality of the care people received. However, the system had failed to identify the errors in relation to the management of medicines and this requires improvement.
The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. However, currently a new manager was in day to day management of this service and their application for a registered manager was being processed by CQC.
People and their relatives told us they felt safe with the staff. The service had clear procedures to recognise and respond to abuse. All staff completed safeguarding training. Senior staff completed risk assessments for people who used the service which provided sufficient guidance for staff to minimise identified risks. The service had a system to manage accidents and incidents to reduce reoccurrence.
The service had enough staff to support people and carried out satisfactory background checks of staff before they started working. The service had an on call system to make sure staff had support outside the office working hours. The service provided an induction and training, and supported staff through regular supervision and annual appraisal to help them undertake their role.
People’s consent was sought before care was provided. The manager was aware of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and acted according to this legislation.. At the time of inspection they told us they were not supporting any people who did not have the capacity to make decisions for themselves.
Staff supported people with food preparation. People’s relatives coordinated health care appointments to meet people’s needs, and staff were available to support people to access health care appointments if needed.
People told us they were consulted about their care and support needs. Staff supported people in a way which was caring, respectful, and protected their privacy and dignity. Staff developed people’s care plans that were tailored to meet their individual needs. Care plans were reviewed regularly and were up to date.
The service had a clear policy and procedure for managing complaints. People knew how to complain and would do so if necessary. Staff felt supported by the manager.