The Care Quality Commission
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Archived: Mears Care - Northants

Barnstones Business Park, Grimscote Road, Litchborough, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8JJ (01327) 831183

Provided and run by:
Cera Care Operations Limited

All Inspections

19 November 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We spoke with six relatives and friends of the people who used the service, they told us that the organisation of the care workers visits had improved and that the care workers understood what each person needed.

We looked at the records kept in case of an emergency and found that Mears Care had improved the method of recording and keeping this information so that the most up to date information was available in an emergency.

25 September 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We spoke with relatives of people who used the service and they told us that they were pleased with the care that the care workers provide. They told us they would like to have the same carer more often and would like them to turn up on time. We found that there had been a vast improvement in the organisation of the schedules for people who use the service and the staff rotas. This meant that people could be confident that they would receive their visits and receive the care they needed.

17 July 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

We spoke with people who use the service and their relatives who told us that Mears were making an effort to improve on the whole. One relative told us 'when I read the daily log it says 'had a chat' it warms me to think that they are taking time to be sociable'. We found a number of concerns in relation to the care and welfare of people who use the service, record keeping and safeguarding people from abuse.

21 February 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

We spoke with eight people receiving a service from Mears Care Northants and two relatives. Six people told us that they were generally happy with the service they received from Mears Care Northants. Although most people told us they were happy with their service, we found that people did not always have their individual needs met and care provided did not always ensure people's welfare and safety. Out of the ten people we spoke with, five told us that on occasions care staff did not arrive. One person told us when her care worker does not arrive she tries to 'get myself ready and do the bits I can' explaining that she then has to 'sit, not dressed, waiting for them.'

12 September 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We spoke to six people who use Mears Care Northants. One person told us that she does not always know when her care worker is going to call but 'it is improving recently' another person said that she 'had trouble with call times in the evening as the call was too early but (this is) getting better now." People spoke highly of the care that they receive. One person told us that the 'care staff are brilliant'. Another person told us that his care staff were 'very helpful and very kind.' Another person said she 'could not wish for anybody better, if I ask anything they do it.'

People told us that if they had any concerns that they would contact the Mears Care office.

12 September 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns

During this review we spoke to five people who receives a service from Mears Care Northamptonshire and / or their relatives.

One person who receives a service from Mears Care Northamptonshire told us that 'she has a rota so knows who is calling.' Another person confirmed that she was also given a rota. Three other people who use Mears Care Northamptonshire stated that they are not always given a rota. One person told us 'I'm lucky if I get a rota, I have not got a rota for this week so do not know who is coming.'

One person who receives a service from Mears Care Northamptonshire told us that she was initially asked what time she would like her calls but was not given the time requested. Another person told us that her care workers do not come at the time that she had requested

Three people who receive a service from Mears Care Northamptonshire told us that they were happy with their care workers. One person told us that her care workers 'do anything that I ask them to, they know that I like my hair done nicely so they spend time doing it.' A relative told us that her husband 'normally has the same care worker' who is 'fantastic' and 'always goes the extra mile.'

Five people who receive a service from Mears Care Northamptonshire told us that they had a lot of different carers each week. Three people told us that they were not happy with the inconsistency of having many different care workers.

Three people who receive a service from Mears Care Northamptonshire told us that there had been occasions where no care worker has arrived. One person explained that without her care workers she is unable to get washed or dressed and cannot prepare herself anything to eat or have a hot drink.

Three relatives and two people who receive a service from Mears Care Northamptonshire told us that they did not feel that their concerns were addressed when they raised them with Mears Care Northamptonshire.