• Community
  • Community substance misuse service

Archived: Addaction - Rugby

1 Regent Place, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2PJ 07917 186481

Provided and run by:
We are With You

All Inspections

23 August 2017

During a routine inspection

  • Addaction Rugby had made improvements to the building to provide a confidential space for the needle exchange and an area that was compliant with infection control principles in which to store its clinical waste bins.

  • Staff checked all areas for cleanliness and local Addaction management had appointed a member of staff as the health and safety lead. This individual was responsible for ensuring that medical equipment was calibrated as per manufacturer’s guidance. They also liaised with the company responsible for cleaning the building to ensure standards were met. Fire safety assessments had been undertaken and there were a number of individuals who were nominated to act as fire wardens. Their details were posted around the service and next to an up to date evacuation plan specific to the building.

  • Staff morale had improved and staff stated that they felt that managers and team leaders were a visible presence around the service. Staff stated that they felt supported by their managers and team leaders and that they were happy in their work.

  • A process had been identified to ensure that notifications were made to the Care Quality Commission when required. This had identified key personnel who were responsible for ensuring that notifications were made.

13 July to 18 July 2016

During a routine inspection

We do not currently rate standalone substance misuse services.

We found the following areas of good practice:

  • Clients who used the service were very positive about staff. Some clients linked their reduction in substance misuse to the support staff had provided. Clients felt staff listened to them and treated them as partners in their recovery. Clients described staff as caring, attentive, supportive and good listeners. The service routinely gathered feedback from clients and looked at ways they could change things as a result of client suggestions.

  • Clients were assessed and treated in a timely manner. There were no waiting lists. Clients received a holistic assessment which looked at all of their needs. Medical staff carried out a physical examination and communicated with clients’ GPs before prescribing medication. The service had a robust policy for re-engaging with clients who had missed their appointments.

  • Staff began the risk assessment process as soon as they met with clients. They developed risk management plans when they felt these were required.Staff were able to identify when there may be safeguarding concerns for adults and children and they knew how to report these to the local authority. They understood mental capacity and how to support clients who needed help to make decisions.

  • Staff were committed and passionate about their work. They supported each other well. Sickness absence rates were low and the service provided external counselling and support for staff that needed it.

  • Staff received regular supervision, annual appraisals, mandatory training and role specific training. There was a thorough role induction process and staff had opportunities to develop special interests. They knew how to raise concerns and some were confident they could do so without recrimination.

  • Clients using the service reflected the diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds found in the local population and the service catered for all of their needs.

  • The service had developed good working relationships with other agencies and worked effectively together to support their clients. There were strong links with other local voluntary groups who offered support to clients and their families.

  • There were low numbers of complaints but when a person made a complaint, the service investigated it. Staff understood their duties under the duty of candour and if they made mistakes, they were open about these with clients.

However, we also found the following issues that the service provider needs to improve:

  • Staff morale was low and staff turnover had been high in the year leading up to the inspection. Most staff said the team was not a happy one and some felt managers did not listen to them. Several staff said they did not receive debriefs after incidents. The managers’ office was located on the second floor of the building and some staff felt the physical and professional distance between them was too great. Managers did not demonstrate that they fully appreciated the extent of low morale.

  • The service had not been providing the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with regular notifications. This is a requirement of all providers registered with the CQC.

  • The service did not have access to cleaning schedules for the building. They only had a communication book between themselves and the contract cleaning company. This meant staff could not easily monitor cleaning carried out on the premises and the kitchen area in particular looked grubby and not well cleaned. The client fridge was dirty and excessively frosted and there were stains on the wall and around the bin.

  • The service stored clinical waste bins on a carpeted floor. This meant there was an increased risk to the spread of infection.

  • The service could not evidence that medical equipment had been regularly calibrated. This meant there was a risk that equipment such could give inaccurate readings.

  • There was no blind or other covering to the window of the needle exchange room. Other clients used the area and could easily see in. This meant there was a risk to the privacy and dignity of clients using this room, particularly if they wanted to show staff their injecting sites.

  • The door to the main staff office on the ground floor was routinely left open. Staff said clients sometimes walked into the office, and some had been angry or upset. This meant staff could potentially be at risk of violence or aggression from clients.

  • The service had their last Fire Risk Assessment in March 2015. Seven low / medium risk issues were identified as requiring attention, either within three months or by March 2016. Managers did not provide evidence that they had rectified these actions in line with the report recommendations.

  • The service did not assess for potential ligature risks in unsupervised areas of the building such as toilets. Managers had not included any ligatures risks in their environmental risk assessment.

17 September 2013

During a routine inspection

When we visited Addaction Rugby we did so unannounced. This meant that no one that used or worked at the service knew we were coming. During our visit we spoke with the team leader, two members of staff, a nurse and the service manager of the partner organisation. We also spoke with three people who used the service.

The service is provided as part of a recovery partnership in collaboration with another organisation. Addaction continues to provide the regulated aspects of the service.

People who used the service told us that they were satisfied with the support and treatment they received. "They've done exactly what I wanted, I would recommend this service" and "I'm very appreciative that this place exists. I don't know where I'd be now if it wasn't for them" were comments made to us.

People went through an initial assessment and staff then supported them to compile a recovery plan based on what they wanted to achieve. One person said, "I had an initial assessment then went straight into group therapy."

Staff were provided with support to enable them to provide support and treatment safely for people.

Processes were in place to monitor the quality and success of the service provided. This included seeking the views of people who used the service.

15 January 2013

During a routine inspection

When we visited Addaction Rugby we did so unannounced. This meant that no one that used or worked at the service knew we were coming. During our visit we spoke with the service manager, acting team leader and two members of staff. We also spoke with four people who used the service either face to face or by telephone.

The service is provided as part of a recovery partnership in collaboration with another organisation. We were told that Addaction provided the regulated aspects of the service.

Project staff told us that at the present time Addaction did not complete people's initial assessments or undertake brief interventions or complementary therapies as these were done by the partner organisation. We were told that a more generic way of working, which would enable staff from both partners to undertake a more generic role, was being looked into.

People who used the service told us that they were satisfied with the service they received. They told us that they felt that the staff treated them with respect and did not judge them at all. "They treat me with respect and are definitely non judgemental" was one comment made.

People had assessments in place that covered all aspects of their alcohol or drug use and other pertinent and key areas. People had signed consent forms and recovery plans were in place. These were based on the information in the assessments which identified what people wanted to achieve.