Background to this inspection
Updated
22 July 2021
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 Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was undertaken by an inspector, two assistant inspectors 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 homes.
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 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure the provider or registered manager would be available to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 13 May 2021 and ended on 21 May 2021. We visited the office location on 13 and 18 May 2021.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since its registration. We sought feedback from the local authority. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
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.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service and ten relatives. We also spoke with 15 members of staff including the registered manager, office staff and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care and medication records and five staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service.
After the inspection
We obtained feedback from two health and social care professionals.
Updated
22 July 2021
About the service
Apex Prime Care Poole is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people at home. Not everyone who uses the service receives 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. There were 75 people using the service at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and relatives experienced good care. They said staff were kind, caring and patient, respected their privacy and did not rush them. People’s care needs were individually assessed and planned for. Risk assessments and care plans were kept up to date. Staff understood people’s needs and preferences.
People felt safe with the staff who supported them and had confidence in their skills. There were pre-employment checks to ensure staff were suitable to work in a care setting. The registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people from abuse and avoidable harm. Where people needed support with their medicines, this was managed safely.
People and their loved ones reported that staff noticed changes in their health and supported them to get the appropriate healthcare. The service worked in partnership with health and social care professionals to help ensure the best possible outcomes for people.
People generally had a small team of regular staff. Staff were well supported through training, supervision and informal support from the office team. New staff went through an induction to ensure they had the skills required and felt comfortable with their role.
People and relatives told us care workers always wore clean personal protective equipment (PPE) and washed their hands regularly. PPE was readily available for staff, who were part of a regular coronavirus testing programme. Staff were familiar with current guidance about using PPE.
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.
People and relatives were confident in the leadership of the service and valued the good communication. Staff spoke positively about their work and the way they were managed. The registered manager and staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Quality assurance processes were in operation, with action on any issues identified.
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 8 May 2019 and this is the first inspection.
The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 12 April 2016.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date the service was registered with us.
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.