We carried out a review of the data available to us about First Line Healthcare Limited on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about First Line Healthcare Limited, you can give feedback on this service.
First Line Healthcare Limited is a domiciliary care agency. The agency provides personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection, care was being provided to four people. Some were living with dementia and some had physical disabilities.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe and protected from harm. This was supported by relatives and loved ones. Staff had completed safeguarding training and were able to tell us the steps they would take if they had concerns. Everyone had risk assessments relating to their specific care and support needs for example, diabetes and dementia. Accidents and incidents were recorded within people’s care plans and had been investigated. Staff had been recruited safely. Some people were supported with medicines by staff who had received appropriate training. The service had robust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.
New staff completed a 12-week induction process. This was followed up with supervision and appraisal meetings and regular unannounced checks on staff working practices during care calls, by the registered manager. People had the same staff supporting them and staff had got to know people very well. Some people were supported with food and drink needs including checks on blood sugar levels for those living with diabetes. Staff understood the importance of gaining consent from people and had received training in mental capacity and best interests. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People and relatives told us that staff were caring. People were treated in a dignified way; privacy was respected and independence promoted.
Care was provided in a person-centred way and people’s wellbeing was supported. Staff sometimes offered support to people to meet medical appointments and were aware of the importance of communicating clearly with people who required more time. No complaints had been made about the service but a policy was in place and easily accessible to people and their loved ones. No one was in receipt of end of life care at the time of the inspection but all staff told us they had previous experience in supporting people at this important stage of their lives.
The registered manager showed us business continuity and contingency plans which demonstrated a clear understanding of management of the service and vision moving forward. Everyone we spoke to, people, relatives, professionals and staff, spoke highly of the registered manager, their ongoing support, knowledge and presence when needed. Feedback was sought through questionnaires and day to day conversations. Auditing of all key areas of documentation was carried out by the registered manager.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 3 December 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a scheduled inspection on a previously unrated service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.