Access 24/7 Healthcare Ltd

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. At our last assessment we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The service had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported incidents. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. The registered manager shared learning with staff from incidents, accidents, complaints and safeguarding so that the service could continually improve and develop positive outcomes for people. Information was shared with staff through a secure messaging service, monthly group supervisions and meetings. The registered manager also held regular reflective workshops with staff to discuss reflective learning and development. Minutes of the meeting contained summary of outcomes and recommendations. The registered manager carried out staff surveys. Results were analysed for themes and trends and an email was sent out to staff detailing ‘what you said and what we have done’. People were provided with a QR code in their homes which allowed them to provide instant feedback regarding their care. The registered manager reviewed the feedback and responded accordingly.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safeguarding during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. Risks to people had been assessed and plans had been put in place to help mitigate these. Risks included areas such as supporting people with physical healthcare needs, use of mobility equipment and with personal care. Staff knew the risks to people well and told us they were kept up to date if there had been any changes to risk assessments. Staff told us they always read the care plan and checked the care planning application they used on their phone to see if there had been any changes to the care package.

People received personal care and support in their own homes. The registered manager told us, ''We involve families and health professionals when formulating and reviewing the care plans and work closely with them on a regular basis.'' A comprehensive home and environment risk assessment and a domiciliary care individual client checklist had been completed to provide staff with guidance on how to keep people safe and minimise risks. For example, there was a detailed risk assessment in place describing risks to people's home environment including home access and external areas. The registered manager completed a monthly audit to ensure risk assessments were reviewed, accurate and up to date.

The service made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. Staff worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs. The registered manager had processes in place to ensure all staff received an extensive induction. Appropriate checks were in place before staff started work including providing full work histories, references and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. DBS provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. The registered manager had implemented a new staff file audit process which ensured that all employee records were regularly reviewed, up to date and contained all the necessary information. There was enough staff available to provide safe and consistent care to people safely.

of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. Staff had undertaken infection prevention and control training and were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) which was sent directly to people’s home. The registered manager completed a monthly PPE audit to ensure stock levels were correct. The clinical nurses also had oversight on PPE stock levels on a weekly basis and carried out regular PPE staff observations. These were signed off by the registered manager.

We did not look at Medicines optimisation during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.