9, 10 January 2014
During a routine inspection
We completed this inspection over two days. We visited the provider's offices to speak with staff and review records on 09 January 2014. We spoke with people who used the service and their families or carer's on 10 January 2014.
We saw the provider had a process in place for seeking consent for care and treatment. People we spoke with, including relatives and carers of people who used the service, told us they were involved in decisions about their care. This included on a day to day basis when care staff visited people to provide care and support. People told us the care staff always asked first before they provided them with care. Comments included '(The company director) explained everything to us', 'The carer's ask my wife 'what are we wearing today (service user's name)' and 'They (the carer's) are very good and courteous, dignified, and treat (the service user) as an individual.'
We found people's needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan.
People said they were happy with the care and support they received from Eboney Home Care Limited. One person told us "I can't speak highly enough of them.' Another person said 'They are very supportive of our needs, both of us.' Other comments included 'I'm quite satisfied at the moment', 'They are brilliant with me now' and 'I can ring them up and ask them to take me to an appointment; and they will.'
People were protected from the risk of infection because appropriate guidance had been followed. We saw the provider had an infection control policy in place and saw evidence to confirm staff had completed infection control training.
The people we spoke with said the care staff took precautions to prevent the spread of infection when they provided care to them. They told us the staff washed their hands regularly, including on arrival, and wore disposable gloves when it was necessary.
We found there were effective recruitment and selection processes in place.
People we spoke with were complimentary about the staff employed by the provider to give care and support to them. Comments included 'The girls that come actually care', 'I think they do more than they are supposed to do. They've become friends with my (relative)', 'They've got to know (service user's name) very well. They know if (service user's name) is distressed. They contact me regularly' and 'I couldn't wish for better carer's.' People also said they felt the care staff had the skills and experience to be able to meet their needs.
People who used the service and their representatives were asked for their views about their care and they were acted upon.
People told us they were generally happy with the service and knew how to contact one of the managers if they had any concerns. One person told us 'Things have changed for me, so (the company director) is coming out to do a review. I'm having a whole new plan made out.' Other comments from the people we spoke with included '(the company director) pops in regular to see if everything is alright', 'I've rang and they've sorted them (any problems I've had)' and 'I've no complaints.'