Easy Healthcare (Yorkshire) Limited

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.

This is the first assessment for this Easy Healthcare (Yorkshire) Limited. This key question has been rated 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 provider had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff understood their responsibilities to record and report accidents and incidents. Accident and incidents were logged appropriately by staff, and these were monitored by the manager. Action was taken to mitigate any risks to people. Accidents and incidents were reviewed by the manager to identify any trends. The registered manager shared examples of where trends were identified, and learning was provided to staff to prevent recurrence. The registered manager also analysed concerns and complaints; changes were made to prevent any recurrence.

The provider worked with people, their relatives and any healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care. The registered manager assessed the needs of people before they started using the service. The registered manager said, “We go out and complete an initial assessment with them and their relatives, this helps us get their views on things and how they want to be supported.” The registered manager also gave examples of how they involved relatives who could not be present during the initial assessment. We received positive feedback from relatives about the provider’s assessment process. One relative said, “When the service first started, Easy Healthcare (Yorkshire) Limited came and did a full assessment and checked the house. They were professional and seemed really interested in [relative] and their needs. This really opened up communications for us and I felt confident I could ring the manager if necessary.” Once the initial assessment was completed, the provider ensured staff were able to meet people’s needs. The registered manager shared examples of training they had sourced for staff to ensure people’s needs would be met. Relatives and people spoke positively about how they were kept informed of any changes to their calls due to factors out of staff control.

The provider had systems to help safeguard people from abuse and improper treatment. Staff undertook training to understand how to recognise and report abuse. Staff were able to tell us about these processes and knew how to protect people from abuse. Staff knew how to report concerns both internally and externally to keep people safe.Relatives and people felt safe being cared for by Easy Healthcare (Yorkshire) Limited. One relative said, “The level of care is good, and I feel [relative] is safe with them.” The registered manager had good knowledge of safeguarding and what action they would take if they suspected abuse. We received no concerns from other professionals in relation to safeguarding.

The provider had systems to assess, monitor and mitigate risks.As part of the initial assessments, risks were identified, and plans were introduced to reduce the likelihood of harm. Action was also taken to reduce the likelihood of harm occurring, for example staff completed training around people expressing distress or agitation to support them to care for a person who presented this. We received positive feedback from relatives in relation to this as it assured them their relatives would be cared for by staff who knew how to support them. Risk assessments were regularly reviewed and updated when people’s care needs changed. Staff told us they accessed up to date information using the electronic care planning system and knew how to keep people safe.

The provider made sure people’s home environment was safe for staff to provide care. The provider completed risk assessments of people’s homes, to identify any risks that may impact on the staff’s ability to provide safe support. Where equipment was being used, arrangements were in place to complete routine checks. The provider kept oversight of this to ensure all equipment was safe to use. Relatives shared positive feedback about the use of equipment. One relative said, “The equipment [relative] uses is kept clean and the staff let me know if they are running short of something or repairs are needed."

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. The provider had recruited enough staff to meet the needs of the people using the service.There was good staff retention.People using the service and their relatives knew staff well. Staff told us they supported the same clients which gave people consistency. One relative said, “Continuity of staff is so important for [relative], even without their official diagnosis.” Staff told us they had enough time to complete the required tasks during calls and enough time to travel between people’s home. The recruitment process included checks on applicants’ employment history, criminal records check and their right to work in the United Kingdom. New care workers undertook induction, shadowing an experienced care worker and completing a range of training including the care certificate. Managers also assessed staff competencies and skills before they started their employment and throughout in their role. Staff found the training useful for their role. One staff member said, “The training was very good and we get continuous training throughout, initially I did some training but I asked for some more, so this was arranged. Relatives and people felt staff were suitably trained to meet their needs. One relative said, “Staff all seem well enough trained to work the hoist and do medication and everything else."

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. We received no concerns in relation to infection prevention and control. Staff had completed infection prevention and control training. They also confirmed they had access to enough personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and aprons. People confirmed staff used PPE when providing care.Relatives and people reported that staff left their home clean when they had finished.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. No people or relatives raised concerns in relation to medicines. People’s care plans clearly identified if the person was able to manage their own medicine, if they received support from a relative or if they required these to the administered by Easy Healthcare (Yorkshire) Limited. People confirmed that staff supported them with their medicines when required and they felt staff had appropriate training.Staff knew how to respond to any changes or concerns in relation to medication, including seeking medical advice. There were regular medicines audits and areas for improvement were identified and addressed. Medicines incidents were appropriately reported and investigated, so measures could be put in place to prevent a recurrence and learning could be shared.