The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Alternative Care Limited

Unit 17, Monckton Road Industrial Estate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 7AL (01924) 383388

Provided and run by:
Mrs Gaynor J Smith

All Inspections

23 July 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We found that the provider had made improvements since our last inspection and had addressed the issues raised.

We spoke with four people who used the service and with three relatives. People told us they felt involved with their care and they could change things about their care if they wished. People made the following comments about the staff:

'A lot are very good.'

'They're great they help me out.'

'Some are alright. I'd like to have set carers.'

'I can't fault them. They're very good.'

'Absolutely fantastic. I couldn't have cherry picked them better.'

We looked at three care records and found they now contained a greater amount of detail regarding people's preferences and how people wished their care to be delivered. All the people we spoke with were aware they had a care plan and told us they could change things if they wished.

The care records we looked at had been regularly reviewed and kept up to date. We saw that an effective system had begun to be developed to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people using the service and others.

24 July 2012

During a routine inspection

Due to the complex needs of people using the service we were not always able to speak to people. To help us understand the experiences of people using the service, we spoke to the relatives of three people.

The three relatives we spoke with told us the staff were good and they treated the people they cared for with dignity and respect. One relative told us; 'The carers are very friendly and respectful.' The relative also said that the carers respected the family's cultural differences. Another relative told us; 'The staff are brilliant.'

The relatives told us that before services commenced with the provider, a meeting was held with the provider and others involved in the person's care. The relatives said they were consulted, and where possible, their family members were consulted about the care they wanted and how they wished their care to be delivered. One relative said; 'We can change things in the care plan if we want.'

The relatives we spoke with told us the carers had a good knowledge of the person they cared for and knew how care should be delivered. Each relative confirmed there was a care plan in place. They told us they could contribute to the care plan and, where possible, their family member was involved in making decisions about their care plan.

The relatives we spoke with told us they were consulted about the quality of service that was being received. They confirmed they received regular feedback questionnaires. The relatives all said they knew what to do if they needed to make a complaint. One relative said; 'In the file we were given, there is information about how to make a complaint.'