Note10 Aug 2022
Strong on-call system and whistleblowing awareness ensured staff could raise concerns at any time.
Note10 Aug 2022
The service worked with external health professionals including dieticians and occupational therapists to achieve good outcomes.
Note10 Aug 2022
Effective governance systems including regular audits, improvement action plans, supervisions, and spot checks were in place.
Note10 Aug 2022
People had access to their own online care records, rotas and care plans, supporting transparency and involvement.
Note10 Aug 2022
People and relatives were overwhelmingly complimentary about the service, with staff noted to 'go over and above'.
Note10 Aug 2022
Safe recruitment procedures including DBS checks were in place and ongoing recruitment maintained safe staffing levels.
Note10 Aug 2022
Risk assessments and a risk analysis tool were used proactively, with electronic care plans updated promptly when people's needs changed.
Note10 Aug 2022
Robust electronic medicines administration records with backup paper records and monthly medicines audits ensured people received medicines as prescribed.
Note10 Aug 2022
Staff received induction training including the Care Certificate, regular refresher training, and on-going specialist training such as planned diabetes training.
Note10 Aug 2022
People felt safe and relatives expressed total confidence in staff, with one stating 'I have total confidence in the safety of my relative from staff at Essential Care.'
minormedication_management10 Aug 2022
In one person's care records we found they had recently been prescribed medicine that needed to be applied via a patch...the instructions for staff required more detail.
moderateleadership10 Aug 2022
At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. The service had not had a registered manager in post since 2017.
Note29 Jan 2020
Staff felt well-supported and the provider implemented a weekly open-door session to ensure timely access to management.
Note29 Jan 2020
Hospital prevention checklist implemented in partnership with local commissioners to support early intervention and avoid admissions.
Note29 Jan 2020
Effective complaints handling with prompt responses and a quality monitoring programme including client audits and telephone checks.
Note29 Jan 2020
Provider recruited staff based on values and behaviours, fostering a caring culture praised by people and relatives.
Note29 Jan 2020
Person-centred care with consistent staff teams, life story books, and care plans reflecting individual preferences and communication needs.
Note29 Jan 2020
Staff received comprehensive training including safeguarding, medicines administration, moving and handling, first aid, and infection control.
Note29 Jan 2020
People felt safe with regular, trusted staff and received care in line with their agreed care plans with no reports of missed or late visits.
moderateleadership29 Jan 2020
There was not a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection, because they had left the service and deregistered with us in September 2017.
minorgovernance29 Jan 2020
The provider did not have a regular routine for checking medicines were managed safely, but checked intermittently when they conducted unannounced spot checks.
minorsupervision_appraisal29 Jan 2020
Due to changes in the office based management team, staff support sessions had not taken place as promptly or as frequently as some staff had wanted.