Background to this inspection
Updated
8 September 2022
The inspection
We carried out this performance review and assessment under Section 46 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act). We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements of the regulations associated with the Act and looked at the quality of the service to provide a rating.
Unlike our standard approach to assessing performance, we did not physically visit the office of the location. This is a new approach we have introduced to reviewing and assessing performance of some care at home providers. Instead of visiting the office location we use technology such as electronic file sharing and video or phone calls to engage with people using the service and staff.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides nursing and personal care to people living in their own homes.
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
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be available to meet with us.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from commissioners who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
This inspection was carried out without a visit to the location’s office. We used technology such as video and phone calls to enable us to engage with stakeholders, and electronic file sharing to enable us to review documentation. We spoke with the provider and registered manager on 22 July 2022 and received all the files needed to complete the inspection on the same date. We also spoke with a relative and two care workers and had email contact with a commissioner.
Updated
8 September 2022
About the service
Ransom Wood Business Park is a domiciliary care agency providing nursing and personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection one person was using the service.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
This small, caring service was run by two experienced registered nurses. The staff were friendly and kind and got on well with people using the service. A relative said, “The staff have earned [person’s] affection. [Person] looks out of their window and waits for them to come. They brighten [person’s] day.”
The service was well-staffed. People using the service and relatives received a weekly rota, so they knew which staff were coming to them. A care worker said, “We have enough travel time, calls last the length they’re meant to, and we are rarely late or early for calls due to well-organised, realistic rotas.”
Staff protected people from harm and followed risk assessments to ensure they were supported in a safe way. Staff wore personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks, when supporting people and were trained in infection control.
People’s healthcare needs were assessed, monitored and met in conjunction with healthcare professionals where necessary. People’s care plans were personalised and included their preferences. Medicines were managed safely.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported.
The registered manager communicated well with people, relatives, and staff and involved them in decisions about people’s care and support. A staff member said, “Messages are always passed on. If there are any changes in people’s care needs staff are told right away.”
The service had a positive, person-centred approach and staff had a good understanding of equality, diversity and human rights. They were sensitive and respectful regarding people’s cultural needs.
The provider and registered manager audited the service to ensure it was running effectively. They sought feedback from people, relatives, and staff and used it to make ongoing improvements to the quality of care and support.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
This service was registered with us on 08 July 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was the first inspection of a newly registered service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
During the inspection
This was an 'inspection using remote technology'. On these type of inspections we do not visit the office location and instead use technology such as electronic file sharing to gather information, and video, phone calls and emails to engage with people, relatives, staff and other stakeholders.