Background to this inspection
Updated
21 May 2019
The Inspection:
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection Team:
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type:
Caremark is a domiciliary care agency which provides support to people in their own home or in the community. At the time of our inspection they were providing approximately 730 care hours per week. The provider was also the manager of the service. This means they are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection:
This inspection took place on the 1 and 2 May 2019 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection visit as we needed to be sure that the provider would be at the offices.
What we did:
Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed previous reports and notifications that are held on the CQC database. Notifications are important events that the service must let the CQC know about by law. We also reviewed safeguarding alerts and information received from a local authority.
During our inspection we spoke with six people and two relatives. We spoke with the provider, field care supervisor, care co-ordinator and a care worker. We reviewed four care files, three staff files and records held in relation to the running of the service.
Updated
21 May 2019
About the service: Caremark (Southend and Rochford) Care Services Limited provides personal care and support to people who require assistance in their own home.
People’s experience of using this service: People and relatives were very complimentary of the service and staff. One person said, “They are fabulous.” Another person said, “I am so grateful to them they really go that extra mile.”
Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. There were systems in place to minimise the risk of infection and to learn lessons from accidents and incidents. People were cared for safely by staff who had been recruited and employed after appropriate checks had been completed. People’s needs were met by sufficient numbers of staff who had received the appropriate training
People were supported with their medication by staff who had received training to do so.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.
People were supported to eat and drink enough to ensure they maintained a balanced diet. Referrals to other health professionals were made when required.
Staff had a good understanding of people’s preferences of care, staff promoted people’s independence. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis.
People and their relatives were involved in the planning and review of their care. People were supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. The provider investigated and responded to complaints. Support was provided to people at the end of their life.
The provider had systems in place to monitor and provide good care and these were reviewed on a regular basis.
Rating at last inspection: Good report published 24/12/2016
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor all intelligence received about the service to ensure the next planned inspection is scheduled accordingly.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk