Archived: Medic 2 UK Limited - Romford

Updated 23 June 2016

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 provider is 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.

Before the inspection, we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. Due to technical problems a PIR was not available and we took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

Prior to the inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the registered provider including previous notifications and information about any complaints and safeguarding concerns received. A notification is information about important events which the registered provider is required to send to us by law.

During the inspection we reviewed people’s records and a variety of documents. These included four people’s care plans and risk assessments, four staff recruitment files, the staff training, supervision and appraisal records, medicine administration record (MAR) sheets, and quality assurance records and surveys.

After the inspection we spoke with four people using the service, two relatives and four members of staff to obtain their views of the service.

Updated 23 June 2016

This inspection took place on 25 May 2016 and was announced. The registered manager was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service. This was to ensure that members of the management team and staff were available to talk to. At our last inspection in May 2014 we found the provider was meeting the regulations we inspected.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

Medic 2 UK Limited is a domiciliary care service that provides support, including personal care, to people in their own homes. At the time of our visit they were providing personal care to 25 people however 11 of them were not receiving personal care as they were admitted to hospital.

People felt safe using the service and when staff were in their homes. Staff received training to raise awareness of how to recognise signs of potential abuse and poor practice and what actions they would need to take. Staff were confident in their knowledge and understanding of abuse.

There were safeguarding policies and procedures in place. We have made a recommendation about the safeguarding policies and procedures.

The registered manager had individual risk assessments completed to ensure both people and staff were protected from the risk of harm.

The service had a recruitment process to ensure suitable staff were recruited. New staff underwent an induction programme and shadowed experienced staff, until they were competent to work on their own. Staff supervision and appraisal sessions were regularly completed to reflect on good practice and to discuss areas of improvement. This enabled staff to carry out their duties effectively. Staff training was on-going and staff could access training whenever it was required.

People received continuity of care and support from regular members of staff.

There were systems in place to ensure, where staff helped people to take their medicines these were done safely.

There were policies and procedures to guide staff in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The registered manager understood what their responsibilities were for ensuring decisions were made in people's best interests. People were supported to make their own decisions and choices.

People were satisfied with the service they received. They felt staff had the right skills and experience to meet their needs. Staff were kind and caring in their approach and knew people and their support needs.

People and/or their family were encouraged to be involved in the planning and review of individual care and support needs. Care plans contained information about people’s needs, wishes and preferences. Regular reviews were completed to ensure that the needs of people were met.

People’s nutritional needs were noted and they were supported to maintain good health.

Relevant information was given to people who used the service, such as the information pack, which included an outline of the services on offer.

People, their representatives and staff told us the management were approachable and supportive.

People and their relatives felt staff and management listened to people's concerns and acted upon them. They knew how to raise a complaint and to whom.

The registered provider had an effective quality assurance system to ensure that all aspects of service provision were regularly reviewed and maintained to a good standard. The service worked with the wider community to ensure people received the support they needed.