First inspection of My Homecare Newcastle, a domiciliary care service supporting 109 people, rated Good across all five key questions. Minor improvements were identified around incident record clarity, care plan detail, occasional late calls, and updates to medicines and PPE practices, all of which the provider was already addressing.
Concerns (6)
minor
Record keeping
: “Accidents and incidents were recorded and reported. Some of the records were not completed clearly.”
minorMissed or late visits: “No missed calls were reported, although a small number of people reported some late calls.”
minorCare planning: “Care plans were bespoke and included personalised details of how people wanted to be cared for and supported. Some lacked detail”
minorStaff training: “The provider was in the process of refreshing training with all staff in putting on and taking off PPE and general infection control procedures.”
minorSupervision / appraisal: “Staff were supported, but asked that positive feedback received, should be relayed back to them.”
minorMedication management: “The provider was in the process of updating their medicines policy in line with transferring to electronic recording.”
Strengths
· Staff were consistently kind, caring and compassionate, with positive feedback from people and relatives
· Medicines were managed safely with electronic recording and competency assessments
· Safe recruitment procedures including DBS checks and references
· Person-centred care plans developed with people and families, including choice of staff gender
· Strong partnership working with other healthcare professionals
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Using medicines safelyNot rated
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management; Learning lessons when things go wrongNot rated
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionNot rated
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseNot rated
safe: Staffing and recruitmentNot rated
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceNot rated
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawNot rated
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceNot rated
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietNot rated
effective: Staff working with other agencies; Supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare servicesNot rated
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityNot rated
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careNot rated
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceNot rated
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesNot rated
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsNot rated
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsNot rated
responsive: End of life care and supportNot rated
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsNot rated
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringNot rated
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourNot rated
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staff; Continuous learning and improving careNot rated
well-led: Working in partnership with othersNot rated