Archived: The Hospital of God Care Services

Updated 25 August 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 24 and 28 June 2016 and was announced. We gave the provider two days’ notice of our visit. We did this because we wanted to make sure the registered manager would be available to talk to us. The inspection was carried out by an adult social care inspector.

Before we visited the agency we checked the information we held about this location and the service provider, for example we looked at the inspection history, safeguarding notifications and complaints. We also contacted professionals involved in caring for people who used the service, including commissioners and safeguarding. No concerns were raised by any of these professionals.

We also contacted the local Healthwatch and no concerns had been raised with them about the service. Healthwatch is the local consumer champion for health and social care services. They give consumers a voice by collecting their views, concerns and compliments through their engagement work.

During our inspection we spoke with three people who used the service about the care and treatment they received from The Hospital of God Care Services and three relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager, registered provider, two community support workers and four social care professionals. We looked at the personal care or treatment records of three people who used the service and the personnel files for three members of staff. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service, such as audits, surveys and policies.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

Updated 25 August 2016

We undertook an announced inspection of The Hospital of God Care Services (Community Pastimes – East Durham) on 24 and 28 June 2016. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice of our visit because we wanted to make sure the registered manager would be available to talk to us.

The Hospital of God Care Services is a domiciliary care agency, registered to provide personal care to support people to continue living in their own homes through pursuing hobbies, playing board games, carrying out arts and crafts, listening to music and preparing snacks. The service supports people to access activities in the community including going shopping, attending leisure facilities, the cinema, museums, tea dances, going out for lunch or to the seaside. The service also provides respite for carers and their families.

The Hospital of God Care Services was last inspected by CQC on 30 July 2014 and was meeting the regulations inspected. At the time of our inspection the service was providing support to 16 people.

People who used the service were complimentary about the standard of care and support provided by The Hospital of God Care Services. People told us, “I am really happy with the service” and “The staff are very helpful and supportive”.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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. There was also a community services manager and a senior support worker appointed by the registered provider to manage the day to day operation of the service.

The registered manager was accessible and approachable. Staff and people who used the service felt able to speak with the registered manager and provided feedback on the service. The registered manager undertook regular spot checks to review the quality of the service provided.

The registered provider had an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to health, safety and welfare. People were kept safe and free from harm.

The registered provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure in place and carried out relevant checks when they employed staff. There were appropriate numbers of staff employed to meet people’s needs and provide a flexible service. Staff were able to accommodate last minute changes to appointments as requested by the people who used the service.

Staff were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities and training was up to date. Staff had the experience required to support people with their care and support needs.

Staff received supervision and appraisal which meant that staff were properly supported to provide care to people who used the service.

Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported and people were involved in making decisions about their care. Care plans were written in a person centred way. ‘Person-centred ‘is about ensuring the person is at the centre of everything and their individual wishes, needs and choices are taken into account. The care plans made good use of personal history and described individuals care, wellbeing and support needs. These were reviewed regularly or when people’s needs changed.

Staff knew the people they were supporting and provided a personalised service. Staff supported people to help them maintain their independence. People were encouraged to care for themselves where possible. Staff treated people with dignity and respect.

The service had policies and procedures in place that provided staff with clear instructions.

Records were kept securely and could be located when needed.