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Archived: Allied Healthcare - High Wycombe

The Old Chapel House, Bryants Bottom, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16 0JS (01494) 488040

Provided and run by:
Allied Healthcare Group Limited

All Inspections

22 January 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

When we inspected the service on 16 May 2013 we had concerns regarding the care and welfare of people who used the service. We found one person had not received the care they were expecting at the agreed time. The office staff were unaware of this situation at the time of the inspection.

During this inspection we examined the computerised system for monitoring the visits made by staff members to people who used the service.We saw the system had been upgraded to ensure people's needs were met in a timely manner and how staff responded to difficult situations to protect the care and welfare of individuals.

We read documents that showed how the manager reinforced to staff the importance of reliable and consistent timing when visiting people who used the service.

16 May 2013

During a routine inspection

Allied Healthcare shares its office and management structure with another domiciliary care service Saga homecare. Separate staff were employed by each service. The registered manager was not available on the day of the inspection. Information was supplied to us by the office manager.

We spoke with three people who used the service. They were complimentary in their appraisal of the support they received. One person told us 'I can't speak highly enough of them, I find them exceptionally good and I have had them a good few years.' Another person told us that they felt the staff "know their job and can turn their hand to anything."

We spoke with three staff members, who all told us they believed they offered a good service to the people they supported.

We read the care plans of three people and recruitment files for three staff members. We found records reflected people who use the service were involved in their care planning, and had given their agreement to the support they were provided with. We read how the provider safeguarded people from abuse through safe recruitment practices, and through training and supervision of staff members.

We spoke to a person using the service, who reported to us that the care staff who was due to support them that day had not turned up. They also told us that they had not been given any information as to why this had happened. We reported our concerns to the office manager, who dealt with the situation immediately.

19 September 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

People told us they were involved in making decisions about their care and support. They said the care they received was personalised and met their individual needs. People described staff as "reliable, efficient, nice, friendly and professional." People said their views were sought and they were asked to complete annual surveys.

We found people's needs were assessed and their care and support was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. The service had a system in place to ensure people were protected against the risk of abuse. People's medicines were safely administered.

The service prioritised visits when there were staff shortages. This was to ensure people living alone and the most frail had the highest priority. People were cared for by staff who were trained to deliver care and support appropriately. There was an effective system in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of the care people were receiving. Complaints were responded to appropriately.

5 August 2011

During a routine inspection

People said they were happy with the care they were receiving. They told us that they were able to choose the times they wished staff to visit them within reason.

People said that they knew whom to speak to if they had a concern. They said they were able to comment on the care they were receiving. They told us they felt safe and comfortable with staff looking after them. They said staff were kind and respected their privacy and dignity.