safe:Insufficient evidence to ratewell-led:Insufficient evidence to rate
This targeted inspection of Boomerang Healthcare Ltd examined concerns about recruitment, safeguarding and statutory notifications following an alleged theft incident, finding no evidence of ongoing harm to people. Both the safe and well-led key questions were inspected but not rated as only partial elements of each were reviewed, with a recommendation issued to improve timeliness of statutory notifications to CQC.
Concerns (3)
criticalSafeguarding — “This inspection was prompted in part by notification of an incident following which a person using the service was subject to theft.”
moderateIncident learning — “Not all statutory notifications had been submitted without delay to CQC. This means CQC may not have a full oversight of the service.”
moderateGovernance — “The provider was sometimes delayed in making statutory notifications to CQC. We have made a recommendation about this.”
Strengths
· People were safe from the risk of abuse; incidents of alleged abuse were investigated and shared with external professionals including police, local authority and safeguarding teams.
· Staff were recruited safely with all necessary pre-employment checks including DBS checks in place.
· People and relatives received apologies when things went wrong, and support was provided to repair damage that had occurred.
· The management team were aware of their responsibilities in relation to staff recruitment, safeguarding and notifications.
· The registered manager took immediate action to submit overdue statutory notifications upon inspection.
Boomerang Suite, a domiciliary care agency in Gateshead serving 24 people, received a Good rating across all five key questions on its first CQC inspection in April–May 2021. The service demonstrated safe, person-centred care delivery with strong leadership, consistent staffing, effective quality assurance, and positive feedback from people, relatives, staff and health professionals.
Strengths
· People and relatives consistently praised the kindness, reliability and punctuality of care staff.
· Robust infection prevention and control procedures were in place, with staff trained in IPC and provided with PPE.
· Risk assessments were carried out for all people and updated to reflect individual health conditions.
· Medicines were managed safely, with staff competency checks and additional verification processes implemented.
· Staff received up-to-date training, regular supervisions and appraisals, and strong management support.
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
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 staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care; Working in partnership with othersGood