Archived: Allied Healthcare Brigg

Updated 26 July 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 19 and 27 June 2017 and was unannounced. The first day of the inspection was carried out by two adult social care inspectors. The second day was undertaken by one adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection, we reviewed all the information we held about the service which included notifications submitted to the Care Quality Commission by the registered provider. The registered provider had completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the registered provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We contacted the local authority commissioning and safeguarding teams to gain their views of the service.

During the inspection, we spoke with three people who used the service and two people’s relatives. We spoke with the registered manager, the business development manager, the assistant manager and three members of care staff.

We looked at four people’s care plans and their Medication Administration Records (MARs). We looked at how the service used the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to ensure that when people were deprived of their liberty or assessed as lacking capacity to make informed decisions, actions were taken in line with the legislation.

We reviewed a selection of documentation relating to the management and running of the service. These included quality assurance information, minutes of meetings, staff training records, supervision and recruitment information for three staff, questionnaires and complaints information.

Updated 26 July 2017

Allied Health Care Brigg is registered to provide personal care to people in the community.

This comprehensive inspection was completed on 19 and 27 June 2017. It was the first inspection of the service since its registration.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

The service was not always well-led. During this inspection we found that the provider’s governance systems were not used effectively. When concerns with call delivery times were identified, appropriate action had not been taken to ensure people received their care at agreed times. Audits had failed to highlight that staff had not stayed for the full duration of care calls. People who used the service and their relatives were asked to provide feedback on the service; their opinions were used to improve the service when possible. Team meetings were held regularly and staff told us they felt supported in their roles. The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities to report notifiable events to the Care Quality Commission.

The service was safe. People were supported by staff who had been trained to recognise the signs that could indicate abuse had occurred and understood their responsibilities to report any poor care they became aware of. Risk assessments had been created to ensure people were supported safely and potential risks were mitigated. Staff were recruited safely and could be deployed in suitable numbers to meet people’s assessed needs. Staff had been trained to administer medicines safely and had their competencies assessed regularly which, helped to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.

The service was effective. Staff received appropriate training, supervision and appraisal. Clinical skills training was completed by staff to ensure they could meet people’s individual needs. People or their appointed representative provided consent for the care they required. People received care and treatment from a range of healthcare professionals as required. People were encouraged to eat a healthy, balanced diet of their choosing. When concerns with their nutritional intake were identified appropriate action was taken to monitor them.

The service was caring. People were supported by caring staff who understood their needs and knew their preferences. The majority of staff had worked at the service for a number of years which helped to ensure people had continuity in their care. Staff understood the importance of treating people with dignity and respect. People were enabled to make choices in their daily lives. Private and sensitive information was handled and stored appropriately.

The service was responsive. People or their appointed representative were involved in the initial and on-going planning of their care. Care plans and risk assessments were updated as people’s needs changed to ensure staff were fully aware of their needs. The provider’s complaints policy was given to people at the commencement of the service. We saw evidence to confirm that when complaints were received, appropriate action was taken to investigate and respond in line with the provider’s policy.