Archived: Caremark Camden

Caremark (Camden) is a currently small domiciliary care service, currently providing support to two people.

On this occasion we sought feedback from relatives of people using the service but unfortunately received no feedback. However, we did see feedback that the service had directly received from people using the service, where possible and relatives which was usually positive.

Everyone that used the service received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (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

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; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People’s safety was promoted because the service assessed, monitored and managed their safety well. Risks to people had been identified, assessed and were regularly reviewed. The assessments provided information about how to support people to ensure that any potential risks were minimised.

The service had enough staff to cater for the needs of people currently using the service. Pre-employment checks had been carried out. These checks helped to ensure only suitable applicants were offered work with the service.

People received their medicines safely. They were supported by staff who followed systems and processes to administer, record and store medicines safely. Medicines safety was monitored by the provider.

People were protected from the risks associated with poor infection control because the service used effective infection, prevention and control measures. Personal protective equipment, for example face masks, gloves and hand sanitiser, was provided in suitable quantities to staff. Guidance for staff and training was provided and staff were assessed to ensure these measures were maintained.

The service completed a comprehensive assessment of each person’s needs and personal wishes about how they were cared for and care plans included guidance about meeting these needs.

There was a process in place to report, monitor and learn from accidents and incidents. Significant events were documented timely in line with the service’s policy and guidance.

There was an effective training system in place. People were supported by staff who had received relevant and good quality training in evidence-based practice.

People’s nutritional needs were met. They received support to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. Staff had taken steps to make sure people’s nutrition and hydration needs were met.

People’s health needs were met. Staff from different disciplines worked together to make sure people had no gaps in their care.

Staff respected people’s choices, including those relevant to protected characteristics due to cultural or religious preferences.

Governance processes were effective and helped to assess, monitor and check the quality of the service provided to people. Audits were carried out on a range of areas vital to the effective and safe delivery of the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 13/03/2020 but had not provided a service until 20/11/2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on our timelines for inspecting newly registered services.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.