The Care Quality Commission
  • Services in your home
  • Homecare service

Archived: Caremark (Barnsley)

Digital Media Centre, County Way, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2JW (01226) 720745

Provided and run by:
Focal Care Ltd

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

2 July 2013

During a routine inspection

At the time of our inspection, Caremark provided care and support to 89 people. We visited two people who used the service in their own home. One person was supported by a relative with whom we spoke. We spoke with a further ten people who used the service, and six relatives of people using the service via the telephone to obtain their views.

People's views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their care. People told us they could make their own choices. One person said, "we have a routine, they (staff) know what to do but always ask first.'

People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights. All people we spoke with were satisfied with their care. Their comments included, 'I am happy with them', 'no complaints at all, they're brilliant'and 'I'm satisfied with them.' We saw that people had current care plans in place which were reviewed at regular intervals.

Where people were assisted and/ or prompted with their medication, people we spoke with did not have any concerns. Staff were appropriately trained and risk assessments were in place where applicable.

People were cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. The provider had appropriate and effective recruitment procedures in place.

The provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive.

3 August 2012

During a themed inspection looking at Domiciliary Care Services

We carried out a themed inspection looking at domiciliary care services. We asked people to tell us what it was like to receive services from Caremark (Barnsley) as part of a targeted inspection programme of domiciliary care agencies with particular regard to how people's dignity was upheld and how they make choices about their care. The inspection team was led by a CQC inspector joined by an Expert by Experience who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service.

We used postal surveys, telephone interviews and home visits to people who used the service and to their main carers (a relative or friends) to gain views about the service.

We were able to speak with 20 people. People we spoke with made positive comments about the care and support they received from Caremark (Barnsley). They told us that the care workers treated them with respect and helped them maintain their dignity. They also told us the care workers checked with them what their needs were and then explained what they had come to do. They said care workers asked for their consent before carrying out care. These were some of the comments we received. 'Yes, the girls help me, always ask what I want them to do for me; it helps me keep my independence and self respect. They are very obliging.' 'I keep my dignity, the girls know I am rather private, they respect how I feel and I appreciate what they do for me. I keep as independent as I can.'

All the people who spoke with us told us the care and support was planned with their help and they were able to make changes to their care plan as and when they needed to. They said this was carried out at care reviews or by them letting the care workers know or informing the office staff.

All the people we spoke with told us that they felt safe and comfortable when the care workers were around and they had no cause for concern.

People we spoke with said they had regular care workers most of the time and they only had different care workers when they were on leave or off sick. They also said the care workers arrived at the pre-arranged time and if they were to be late they contacted them to let them know. However, one person said that there was a lack of continuity due to them receiving different care workers. The provider was aware of this and told us that they were taking action to correct this.