Caremark (Cheshire West & Chester) achieved a Good rating across all five key questions at its first inspection in December 2022, demonstrating safe, person-centred care delivered by a consistent, well-trained staff team. Minor areas for improvement included ensuring full PPE compliance, completing overdue appraisals, and maintaining records of compliments.
Concerns (4)
minor
Infection control
: “one person told us, "They did have masks on to start but not now, they do have gloves and aprons though."”
minorSupervision / appraisal: “The care manager acknowledged that some appraisals were overdue, however, a plan was in place to address this.”
minorRecord keeping: “The care manager and care co-ordinator advised that several compliments had been received although recording of these had lapsed.”
minorStaff training: “We discussed training with the registered manager and care manager including the requirement to ensure all staff are suitably trained when supporting people with a learning disability or autistic people.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and received care from a consistent staff team who knew them well and arrived on time.
· Person-centred care plans were well-developed, regularly reviewed, and reflected people's individual needs, likes and preferences.
· Medicines were safely managed with staff competency checks and regular medication audits.
· Staff received a thorough induction including the Care Certificate, shadowing, and mandatory training.
· The service worked effectively with external professionals and agencies to promote good outcomes.
Quality-Statement breakdown (19)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management; Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely care; Supporting people to live healthier livesGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversity; respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staff, fully considering their equality characteristics; Working in partnership with othersGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candour; Continuous learning and improving careGood