The Care Quality Commission
  • Services in your home
  • Homecare service

Archived: Midshires House

10 Church Street, Riddings, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 4BX (01773) 528080

Provided and run by:
Midshires Healthcare Limited

All Inspections

13 February 2014

During a routine inspection

We spoke with two of the people who use the service and also observed the way that staff interacted with people. People told us that they were respected by staff and their independence was promoted. One person said, 'I make my own bed and do my own buttons.'

The people we spoke with told us that staff cared for their welfare and knew what their likes and dislikes were. Staff felt that the service's activities were centred on people's assessed and expressed needs. Records showed that the service was aware of people's individual needs and preferences.

People told us that they felt safe living at the service. One person said that if they were worried by anything, 'I'd go to a staff member.' Staff described to us practices that keep people safe.

Staff told us that they felt supported in their work and described a wide range of staff training. Records confirmed that essential training was being carried out.

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

At our inspection visit to Midshires House in January 2013 we found that the provider had not made suitable arrangements to ensure that people were safeguarded against the risk of abuse. We judged that this had a minor impact on people using the service and asked the provider to take action. This review was carried out using evidence sent to us by the provider to inform us of the progress made after our visit in January 2013. We found that the provider had taken appropriate action.

The provider sent us evidence of the actions they had taken and the new systems put in place to keep a regular overview of the use of people's personal money. The provider's actions included immediate contact with relevant external agencies and disciplinary action regarding staff. The provider also sent us evidence of a new records system designed to regularly audit people's use of their money so that they were kept financially safe.

7 January 2013

During a routine inspection

On the day of this inspection there was one person using this service. We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of this person because they had complex needs. This meant that they were not able to tell us their experiences. We spoke to a health professional who had had contact with the person for a number of years. We also spoke with two members of staff and the manager, and read the care plans of the person using the service, to find out more information.

The health professional that we spoke with felt that said that the person was, 'happy [at Midshires House]' and they had 'no concerns' about how staff treated the person. These comments were supported by staff we spoke with who respected, and met, the person's needs and personal preferences.

The health professional that we spoke with thought that the person felt safe living at the service. We saw evidence supporting this. However, we also found that the service was not making a consistent effort to ensure that staff were not personally benefiting from the person's finances. Staff had received training that kept the person safe. The health professional we spoke with felt that staff were well trained to meet the person's needs, and records we saw supported this.

The views of the person using the service were, as far as possible, identified and acted on. The views of others, important to the person, were regularly sought by various means.

31 October 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

One person told us they were looking forward to an outdoor activity and we saw that they were engaged in a hobby of their choice.

A relative told us there had been 'big improvements' and described the person they were involved with as 'settled'. They said their biggest concern was the number of staff changes in the service.

A visiting professional said the service was 'on the whole, okay' and that the person they were involved with was 'ticking along'.

30 March 2011

During a routine inspection

People who were able to communicate verbally told us that they received adequate support and that they were 'happy' living in the service. They told us they enjoyed their meals and that they liked their rooms. We saw that the premises were clean and tidy.

Visiting professionals told us there was a lack of knowledge on dealing with specialist needs and a relative told us they were concerned about the number of staff and manager changes in the service.