Archived: Team Medical (Southampton) Limited

Team Medical Support Limited is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people who are living with complex medical needs, including brain injuries, in their own homes. A service was being provided to 26 people at the time of the inspection.

People’s experience of using this service:

People received a service that was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

The service had the characteristics of a good service in all areas.

Systems were in place to keep people safe.

People’s needs were met by suitable numbers of staff who worked in teams and knew them well.

People received support with their medicines as prescribed.

People were protected from the risk of infection because staff had received relevant training.

People were supported to prepare and cook food when appropriate.

People were supported by staff who treated them with respect and cared about them.

People’s privacy and dignity was respected.

People had care plans in place which detailed how staff would support them and meet their needs.

People received personalised care which was responsive to their individual needs.

People were supported by staff who knew them well and understood their personal preferences.

People were supported to enjoy activities of their choice.

People could access the complaints procedure and complaints were investigated appropriately.

People’s views were sought and they were included in the running of the service.

Rating at last inspection:

At our last inspection, (report published 8 December 2016) we rated the service as Good.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned comprehensive inspection.

Follow up:

We did not identify any concerns at this inspection. We will therefore re-inspect this service within the published timeframe for services rated good. We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

The inspection took place on 13 and 18 October 2016 and was announced.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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 felt safe when they were supported by staff. Staff had completed training with regard to safeguarding people. Risk assessments were undertaken to identify and minimise risks to people’s health and wellbeing and were updated annually or sooner if necessary. People’s needs were met by enough staff who worked in teams to ensure shifts were covered. The provider sought references and completed pre-employment checks before new staff could start work. People received support from staff to take their medicines as prescribed.

People were supported by staff who had completed appropriate training and could access bespoke training, relevant to people’s needs. Staff were supported in their work through supervision, spot checks and appraisal. Staff had training in and understood legislation designed to protect people’s rights. People were supported to eat and drink in ways which met their needs. Staff supported people to visit the GP and the dentist when appropriate.

Positive caring relationships were developed with people using the service. People were encouraged to express their views and be actively involved in making decisions about their care and support. People’s privacy and dignity were respected and promoted by staff who understood how to support people with their personal care.

People received personalised care and support which was responsive to their needs. Initially, people’s needs were assessed and this formed the basis of their care plan. People’s care plans were detailed and showed people’s needs, wishes and preferences and informed staff how people wished to be supported. The provider had a complaints procedure in place and people and/or their relatives knew how to complain if they were not happy with the service provided. Complaints were investigated and responded to as well as changes made to improve the service.

The registered manager promoted a positive culture which was person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering. The registered manager had systems to monitor the quality of the service provided which included auditing the completion of records and following up issues identified. The provider sought the views of people using the service, their friends and family, as appropriate, through a system of spot checks, regular visits and an annual questionnaire which sought people’s views about the specific staff who supported them. Action was taken, as necessary to improve the experience of people receiving care and support.