Background to this inspection
Updated
24 February 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.
The inspection of Midsummer Care took place on 28 and 29 January 2016 and was announced. The registered manager was given 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. We did this because the registered manager is sometimes out of the office supporting staff or visiting people who use the service.
The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.
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. We contacted one of the stakeholders who has a commissioning role with the service; and checked the information we held about the service.
During our inspection we undertook telephone calls to six people who used the service and two relatives. We spoke with three care workers and the registered manager.
We reviewed a range of records about people’s care and how the service was managed. These included care records for three people, three staff files and three Medication Administration Record (MAR) sheets. We also looked at minutes from staff meetings and quality assurance audits.
Updated
24 February 2016
The inspection was announced and took place on the 28 and 29 January 2016.
Midsummer Care provides personal care and support to people living in a supported living complex and in the community. At the time of our inspection the service was providing care and support to 12 people. The frequency of visits ranged from one visit per week to three visits per day depending on people’s individual needs.
This was the first inspection of Midsummer Care since it was registered in February 2014.
The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Staff had been provided with safeguarding training to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm.
There were risk management plans in place to protect and promote people’s safety.
Staffing numbers were appropriate to keep people safe. There were safe recruitment practices followed to ensure staff were suitable to work with people.
People’s medicines were managed safely, in line with best practice guidelines; and staff had been provided with training in the safe handling of medicines.
People were matched with staff who were aware of their care needs; and staff received the appropriate training and support to enable them to carry out their roles and responsibilities.
People’s consent was sought in line with current legislation and guidance. The service worked in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
People were supported by staff to have a balanced diet. If needed, staff supported people to access healthcare services.
People were treated with kindness and compassion by staff. They had established positive and caring relationships with them.
People were able to express their views and to be involved in making decisions in relation to their care and support.
Staff ensured they promoted people’s privacy and dignity.
People received care that met their assessed needs. Their care plans were updated on a regular basis, or as and when their care needs changed.
A copy of the service’s complaints procedure was issued to people when they started to receive care. This ensured that people would be aware of how to raise a complaint if the need arose.
The culture at the service was open and inclusive. The registered manager led by example, which inspired staff to deliver a quality service.
There were quality monitoring systems in place. These were used to good effect and to drive continuous improvements.