We carried out our on-site assessment on 10 April 2024 and 15 April 2024, off site assessment activity started on 12 April 2024 and ended on 22 April 2024. We looked at 7 quality statements; Safe systems, pathways and transitions; Safeguarding; Involving people to manage risks; Safe and effective staffing; Independence, choice and control; Freedom to speak up; Learning, improvement and innovation. The service performed well against all statements we looked at. Safeguarding procedures and policies were in place and well understood. Risks were regularly reviewed; people and their relatives were involved in care planning and risk assessment reviews. Staffing levels were sufficient to keep people safe. Rotas were planned in a way to minimise risk. Late/missed calls were rare and the provider had systems in place to reduce these, and to learn lessons. People were supported to maintain their independence and have a clear say in how they received care. People, relatives and staff felt they could speak up if they had any concerns. The provider worked well with local partners and was finding ways to try and continually improve the service through this partnership working. At times people told us communication with the office was inconsistent but the provider made recent changes and improvements in this area.
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Sphere Specialist Healthcare achieved a Good rating across all five key questions in its first CQC inspection, with people and relatives consistently praising the compassionate, skilled and personalised care delivered. Minor concerns were noted around occasional late or missed visits with poor advance communication, and a failure to submit statutory CQC notifications due to a technical issue, both of which the registered manager committed to address.
Concerns (3)
moderateGovernance: “The registered manager was aware of their responsibility to notify CQC of significant events...due to a technical problem these had not been submitted.”
minorMissed or late visits: “The only complaint is timing they have been late, and they could improve on this. One of the issues is also communication they don't let us know.”
minorCommunication with families: “We received mixed feedback from professionals regarding the management of the service. We have discussed this with the registered manager who has taken the feedback onboard.”
Strengths
· People and relatives spoke highly of the compassionate, skilled care provided by staff
· Safe recruitment practices and sufficient staffing levels maintained
· Medicines managed and administered safely with regular audits and competency assessments
· Detailed, personalised care plans involving people and relatives in planning and review
· Staff received comprehensive training including Care Certificate induction and MCA training
Quality-Statement breakdown (20)
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 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: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood