Home Comfort Healthcare, a small domiciliary care agency in Corby supporting one person at the time of inspection, received a Good rating across all five key questions at its first CQC inspection in December 2022. The service demonstrated strong safeguarding, consistent staffing, person-centred care and effective governance, with minor shortcomings in recruitment record organisation and the level of person-centred detail in the care plan.
Concerns (2)
minor
Record keeping
: “Paperwork with employments checks was in place but was disorganised and difficult to locate.”
minorPerson-centred care: “The care and support plan we looked at was reflective of the persons current needs but lacked some person-centred information. For example, the persons preferences around personal care.”
Strengths
· Person using the service reported feeling very safe and well supported by consistent, knowledgeable staff
· Staff received thorough induction, ongoing training including safeguarding, infection control, food hygiene and medication training
· Strong person-centred ethos with the registered manager and nominated individual regularly providing direct care
· Effective governance systems including audits, spot checks, supervision and appraisal programme
· Positive culture with open communication between management and staff, and high satisfaction from the person using the service
Quality-Statement breakdown (21)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
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 careGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
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 supportNot rated
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
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; continuous learning and improving careGood