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

Archived: Allied Healthcare - Redcar

Room 311, The Innovation Centre, Vienna Court, Kirkleatham Business Park, Redcar, Cleveland, TS10 5SH (01642) 777739

Provided and run by:
Allied Healthcare Group Limited

All Inspections

2 December 2013

During a routine inspection

Most people who were supported by Allied Healthcare Redcar told us that they were happy with the support they received and felt safe. Some people, however, thought that some parts of the service could be improved. For example, some people thought some staff did not support them in the way they wanted, or did not always have the skills and knowledge to meet their needs.

We found evidence that the service communicated with other service providers to make sure that the care people received was coordinated and appropriate. Care plans reflected professional advice.

Although the service did not have responsibility for maintaining the safety of equipment in people's homes, staff were responsible for identifying problems and informing those who were responsible. We saw within records that this happened.

The service had an effective recruitment procedure in place and all staff had undergone the necessary pre-employment checks to ensure that they were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

There was a robust system in place to monitor the quality of the service provided by Allied Healthcare Redcar including surveys to staff and people who used the service, telephone calls to people who used the service and spot checks on records completed by staff.

10 September 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with eight people who used the service by telephone. People told us that on the whole they were happy with the support received by care staff. They said that staff were polite, supportive and appeared to be confident about the support they were giving. One person told us, 'I couldn't wish for anything better' and another said 'I've used the service for some time and I'm happy with it'. Three people mentioned that care staff sometimes ran late but that the office tried to keep them informed about this. One relative told us, 'Sometimes it can be annoying if I have appointments planned, but they try their best in the office to get someone here if that is the case'.

Five people told us that on the whole they had the same team of support staff on a regular basis and they liked this because it meant they could build up a rapport and relationship with people. One person told us that in the past there had been problems because they didn't have regular carers. They said that since they had complained about this and the situation was improving. Two further people told us that they didn't have regular carers. One person said, 'I don't know who is coming, but I know what time and they haven't been late so far'.

People who used the service thought that staff respected their privacy and made sure that their dignity was preserved whilst promoting independence and safety. They also felt as though they had been involved and consulted about their care plans and were able to contribute to them.