Background to this inspection
Updated
24 March 2021
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check on a specific concern we had about the supply and use of personal protective equipment and access to Covid-19 testing for staff.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of two inspectors.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
Inspection activity started on 11 February 2021 and ended on 26 February 2021. We visited the office location on 11 February 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people using the service and five members of care staff including the registered manager about how infection control was managed in the service.
Updated
24 March 2021
About the service
Allied Health-Services Macclesfield is a domiciliary care service providing care to 77 people at the time of the inspection. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
Most of the care packages delivered were to older people living in their own home, however the service also provided personal care to a small number of people with a learning disability living within a supported living setting.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Important information was captured through the assessment process about end of life care, however we found peoples wishes and preferences could be more detailed. We have made a recommendation about this.
In all other areas of care, 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 had been involved in developing their care plans which were person centred, and people could change their care plans when they chose.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent. This included accessing employment opportunities. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People received a caring service and felt supported and valued as individuals. People told us they were treated with respect and staff upheld their dignity during care visits. People were supported by staff who knew them well and trusting relationships had been developed.
Systems were in place to manage risks to people’s health and wellbeing and medicines were managed safely.
The service was well-led and staff felt well supported by an open and honest culture. The provider also worked with other professionals and organisations to ensure positive outcomes were achieved for people.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 8 August 2018). Since this rating was awarded the registered provider of the service has changed. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.
Why we inspected
This is the first inspection since the service re-registered with the CQC on 21 January 2019.
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.