Caremark Doncaster, Bassetlaw and West Lindsey

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 people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. This is the first assessment for this newly registered service. 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 listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. Accidents and incidents were reviewed and analysed to identify learning. Lessons learned were shared and discussed with staff members at team meetings and through a communication and information sharing app used by all members of staff.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. They made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. Appropriate systems were in place to share information about people's care and support to ensure continuity of care. Members of staff worked with community-based health and care professionals to ensure people received safe support and treatment.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way for this to be achieved. Staff concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately. Policies and procedures were in place to protect people from harm and abuse. Members of staff confirmed they understood how to report concerns about safety and they were confident the management team would take appropriate action. A member of staff told us, “I have access to safeguarding policies and when I suspect abuse, I complete a concern form to share my suspicion and forward it to the management team who follow up by investigating my concern.”

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs which was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things which mattered to them. People’s care plans were detailed and explained how care should be provided safely. People were involved in developing their own care needs assessments and risk assessments and care was planned and delivered in the least restrictive way.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. The provider took a proactive approach to assessing risks and ensuring provision of safe care in people’s homes. They had created specific and detailed guidance about the use of hot water bottles to keep people safe and they worked closely with local fire and rescue services to refer people for additional support around fire safety and prevention.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care which met people’s individual needs. Staff were recruited safely and pre-employment checks were completed prior to new employees delivering care and support. Staff received an induction into the organisation and were supported to complete a range of training courses which ensured they were suitably qualified. Staff were well supported by the management team through a series of quality spot checks and supervision sessions.

The provider assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly. Members of staff had access to supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) and received training about how to use it appropriately. The provider followed UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance relating to the use of PPE in a domiciliary care setting. Spot checks were carried out to check infection prevention and control measures were followed in line with the provider’s IPC policy. Staff meetings provided an opportunity to discuss any risks, concerns or updates, relating to infection prevention and control.

The provider made sure medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened. Medication administration was managed safely. Staff received appropriate training and support and regular audits of processes checked compliance and safety of administration of medicines. Feedback from family members confirmed medicines were managed safely. One family member said, "My [relative] enjoys the calls and likes all the carers. They talk to [relative] and meet their needs. [Relative's] medication and hygiene needs are met. The service takes pressure off me and slows me to spend quality time with my [relative].”