Collingwood Ear Care

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

We looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

This is the first inspection for this service since its registration with CQC. This key question has been rated as good.

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 service had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. They listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

There was a system to record and investigate complaints, and when things went wrong, the provider apologised and gave people support. Learning from incidents and complaints resulted in changes that improved care for others. We saw evidence that the provider reflected on their own practice regularly.

The service worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. The provider would signpost clients to other services such as the local pharmacy or the client’s own GP practice where needed. The provider made referrals on the behalf of clients where needed.

The service worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. The service shared concerns quickly and appropriately.

Safeguarding policies were in place and known to the provider, who was appropriately trained in safeguarding procedures. We saw examples where safeguarding policies had been used and followed to good effect. The provider had a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding principles and their responsibilities.

The service worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe and supportive.

The provider carried a first aid kit. The provider could recognise a deteriorating patient and knew of what action to take. Clients were advised on risks related to their condition and actions to take if their condition deteriorated. Any medical history or risks were collected by the provider in a pre-assessment form. Leaflets on aftercare were provided for clients either in paper format or via email.

The service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment.

Collingwood Ear Care is a mobile service, which provides ear care in the homes of clients. The provider made sure that equipment supported the delivery of safe care.

The service was run and staffed by a single individual. This individual was registered and trained appropriately. Logs and certificates that demonstrated this training was kept up to date and readily available.

The service assessed and managed the risk of infection.

Cleaning schedules were in place and followed. Personal protective equipment was used by the provider when carrying out ear irrigation. Clinical waste was stored securely until a clinical waste company collected it.

No medicines were carried by or prescribed by this service. This quality statement is not relevant for this service.