Background to this inspection
Updated
12 July 2019
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. The registered manager was also the owner of the agency.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 25 June 2019 and ended on 27 June 2019. We visited the office location on 25 June 2019.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with ten members of staff including the registered manager, team administration officer and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We also reviewed feedback we had received from one social care professional about their experience of the service.
Updated
12 July 2019
About the service
Medical Partnerships is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection 24 people were using the service. Of those 24 people, 23 were receiving a regulated activity, and the remainder received help in the home. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Not all staff who had started work at the service since August 2018 had received training. However people told us they felt staff had the skills to provide them with support they needed.
Systems were in place to check the safety and monitor the quality of the service, further improvements were required to ensure these systems were robust and imbedded.
Although people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; staff's understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 was variable and not all staff had received training. We have made a recommendation that the provider refers to current guidance .
Recruitment procedures were safe. Staff had been recruited following relevant checks being completed. Staff enjoyed working at the service and could approach the registered manager for support and guidance at any time.
People were supported to maintain good health and access health care professionals. Where appropriate, referrals were made to health care professionals. Where required, people were supported with their nutritional needs.
People and relatives told us they were very happy with the care and support they received and would not hesitate in recommending the service to others. They spoke positively about the kind, caring attitude of staff and felt safe in the presence of staff. One person described staff as ‘their lifeline’.
Staff treated people with dignity and respect. People's independence was promoted and, where possible, they were encouraged to do as much as they could for themselves.
Assessments were undertaken prior to people using the service to ensure their care needs could be met. People continued to be consulted over their care and support needs.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection (and update)
The last rating for this service was good (published 3 August 2016). Since this rating was awarded, the registered provider of the service has changed. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned comprehensive inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.