About the service: Meridian Health and Social Care is a domiciliary care service care providing support to older adults in their own homes. At the time of our inspection, there were 49 people using the service.
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:
People told us they felt safe. Staff understood safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures. There were sufficient staff employed to meet people’s needs. There was a safe recruitment process, which ensured only staff suitable to work with vulnerable adults were employed. Accidents and incidents were monitored. Risks to people were identified and assessments were in place to ensure staff knew how to manage risks and meet people’s needs. People were protected by the prevention and control of infection. Medication systems were in place to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed. These were being improved at the time of our inspection as the quality monitoring system had identified some errors in documentation. Care staff and management were aware of correct systems to follow.
Staff we spoke with were knowledgeable about people’s needs. Staff had received effective training to ensure their knowledge was up to date. Staff were supervised and supported. Care plans and supporting documentation included people’s individual preferences and choices. 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 we spoke with told us staff were extremely kind and caring. Relatives we spoke with were positive about the care and support provided. Staff understood people’s needs and people we spoke with told us the staff were excellent and provided support that met their needs. Relatives felt listened to and said concerns were appropriately dealt with and resolved. Relatives told us the communication was good and the manager was very approachable.
There was a quality monitoring system in place that was effective. Feedback from staff was very positive. They told us they were well supported and worked well as a team.
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 12 October 2020 and this is the first inspection.
The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 13 September 2017.
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection.
Follow Up:
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.