We visited the service, spoke with the registered manager and reviewed records which provided evidence to show that an appraisal system and supervision was now in place for members of staff.
We looked at medical equipment on three vehicles and found it was clean, maintained and ready for use. We checked records and found that regular quality and safety checks were in place for all items of equipment.
Refresher training and adhoc clinical skills training was available for staff and records indicated that staff had received adequate training. Although the manager had taken steps to introduce performance appraisals for staff, this had not been started. Staff who we spoke with told us their manager was approachable and supportive when they needed advice or feedback but there was no evidence that supervision or one to one meetings had taken place on a regular basis.
Although we did not speak with people who used the service during this visit, the provider had completed a patient survey to seek their views. Although the results had not been summarised into a report at the time of our visit, overall the comments people had made were very positive.
We found that staff assessed each person to ensure they were able to meet their needs and provide appropriately trained staff to do so.
We found there were good cleaning procedures in place, staff had sufficient knowledge about infection control issues and the vehicles were clean and hygienic.
The vehicles were well maintained and fit for use, however fire safety checks were not always completed. An oxygen cylinder had not been safely secured on one of the vehicles that we checked which placed staff and people who used the service at risk of injury.
Appropriate recruitment procedures were in place to ensure that suitable staff were employed.
People were asked for their views about the care and treatment received by the service. No complaints had been received during the past year and only one incident had been reported. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service.