Archived: Caremark (Bradford)

During our inspections of December 2013 we found the registered care provider was not fully compliant with the Essential Standards of Quality and Safety. The registered care provider wrote to us to tell us about the improvements they were making to enable them to become compliant. We carried out this inspection to see if they had taken action to become compliant with the standards. We found that the necessary improvements had been made to ensure people received safe and effective care.

People were protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.

We found the provider had taken sufficient steps to ensure the care, welfare and safety of individuals using the service due to accurate and appropriate records being maintained. All relevant records looked at were in date and stored in appropriate ways to protect peoples

confidential information. Comments from records we saw included, "They are always on time and smart," another person commented, "We have noticed a massive difference in my relative. They are fantastic, my relative is more alert."

We carried out this inspection to see if they had taken action to become compliant with the standards and look into the concerns received. Four compliance inspectors carried out the inspection over six days. The inspection was carried out jointly with local authority officers.

We spoke with eight relatives and fourteen people who used the service either in person or by telephone. We received a mixture of positive and negative comments. Some people who used the service or their representatives described how they were pleased with the service, while others described concerns like, "I had to show the carer how to care for my relative," and another person said, "My relative has had missed calls so they missed their medication." Other comments included, "They are a bit disorganised," and "They are alright they keep me going." People we spoke with said they had a care plan which they kept at home. We also spoke with six members of staff. They told us how they were required to have references and a Disclosure and Barring service check before they could commence work. Staff felt they had enough time for their calls and they never missed a call. If there was any problems they would contact the office.

We found that the provider did not have effective systems in place to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people who used the service.

People were not always protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider did not always have appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.

We had concerns because people were at risk as their care records were not accurate and not fit for purpose. We found people were not protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment because inaccurate and inappropriate records had been maintained.

As a result of recent and previous concerns raised with the City of Bradford Commissioners, Caremark (Bradford) are not receiving any new contracts from the Commissioners.

We received a mixture of positive and negative comments. Some people who used the service or their representatives described how they were pleased with the service, while others described concerns like "I had to show the carer how to bathe my relative," and another person said "I was not happy with my carer so contacted the manager and they sent me someone else." People also stated that "I have a care plan which I have read and signed" and "the staff are lovely they understand my relative's needs."

People who used the service and/or their relatives we spoke with said the care workers were on time, one person said "they were very punctual and would stop longer if needed." Another one said "they never missed a visit."

However concerns had been raised with the City of Bradford Commissioners and as a result of these concerns they issued a suspension notice on new contracts with Caremark (Bradford).