Archived: Profectus Healthcare Ltd

As a result we undertook a focused inspection to look into those concerns. This report only covers our findings in relation to those concerns. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Profectus Healthcare Ltd on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This announced focused inspection took place on the 15 October 2016. At the time of this inspection Profectus Healthcare was providing care to four people in their own homes for a range of personal and nursing care needs. We carried out this inspection because we had received information of concern in relation to staffing and allegations about the provider of the service.

People were supported by staff who had not been subject to safe recruitment practices to make sure they were of a suitable character to provide care to people. The provider had failed to ensure that staff were subject to appropriate pre-employment checks. Staff without criminal records checks and pre-employment references were providing care to people in their own homes unsupervised.

People could not be assured that they would be protected from the risk of harm. The provider had failed to implement an appropriate safeguarding procedure. We found examples of people that had experienced missed calls that the provider was aware of, that had not been reported to the appropriate external authorities.

There had been a failure in the leadership, governance and oversight of the service. The provider had failed to implement their own policies and procedures and ensure that safe systems of working were followed. The provider was unable to maintain a strategic oversight of the service because they were delivering people’s care and support personally due to staff shortages.

We received serious allegations about the registered manager, who was also the sole provider, clinical lead and director of Profectus Healthcare. The allegations are subject to an on-going investigation by the Local Authority Safeguarding Adults Team.

The provider had failed to ensure that an appropriate staffing structure was implemented to coordinate people’s care and support safely. There were insufficient numbers of suitably competent staff employed by the provider to ensure that people received the care that Profectus healthcare had been commissioned to provide.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

At this focussed inspection we found the service to be in breach of three regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated activities) Regulations 2014. Full information about CQC’s regulatory response to any concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were supported by staff who were respectful and caring. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibility to report any unsafe or abusive practices. The provider had systems in place to report safeguarding concerns to the appropriate authorities.

Recruitment procedures were safe with appropriate checks undertaken before new members of staff commenced their employment. Staff received regular training and were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities. They had the skills and knowledge required to support people with their care needs. Staff competencies were assessed before they were able to work independently.

Specific and general risks to people's safety had been assessed and were detailed clearly within their care plans. Staff used these to assist people to remain as independent as possible.

Safe systems and processes were in place to ensure that medicines were handled, administered and disposed of safely.

Staff and the registered manager promptly engaged with other healthcare professionals to ensure that peoples identified healthcare needs were met. The provider was quick to make changes to the service provision in response to changes in people’s health.

Staff received regular on task supervision and benefited from a period of induction before they were asked to work independently. Staff understood their responsibility to seek peoples consent before providing care.

People had care plans that were personalised to their individual needs and wishes. Records contained detailed information to assist care workers to provide care and support in an individualised manner that respected each person’s individual requirements and promoted treating people with dignity. People using the service and their relatives told us that they were encouraged to be actively involved in planning their care, regularly reviewing their care and where asked for feedback about the care they had received.

Staff spoke to people politely and treated them with dignity and respect. People were positive about the care and support being provided to them.

People knew who to contact and how to contact the service if they had a concern or complaint.

The registered manager consistently monitored and reviewed the quality of care people received.

The service encouraged feedback from people and their representatives. This was used to identify, plan and make improvements to the service.

A relative said, 'Profectus are very good my husband needs a lot of nursing care and the carers come four times a day. If I am out they will leave a note in a message book if needed and I will do the same so communication is good. I was fully involved in his care plan. Profectus meet all his needs, I am completely happy with the service.'

We found that Profectus Healthcare Ltd., was compliant with the regulations we inspected against.