Harborough home care service ‘delighted’ after latest CQC report
The team behind a home care and live-in service provider in Harborough have shared their delight after being given a ‘good’ report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Bluebird Care (Market Harborough and Oadby) was handed the report this month after an inspection in September.
The service, which provides personal care to people living in their own homes in the community, had been previously rated as good in 2019.
Ami Parmar, director of the service, said: “We are delighted to have maintained our Good rating across all five areas following our recent CQC inspection, conducted as part of the regulator's 'Returning to Good' programme.
“This focused assessment was specifically designed to confirm that services already rated good continue to maintain those standards. We are extremely pleased that inspectors have once again recognised the safe, compassionate and personalised care our team provides to people in their own homes.”
Inspectors found that staff were aware of potential risks to people’s safety and knew how to report any concerns; this was the same for safeguarding issues.
The report read: “The provider had effective systems in place to monitor, investigate and respond to safeguarding matters. When incidents or accidents occurred, appropriate action was taken to protect people and strengthen safety arrangements.”
Medicines were found to have been managed safely, with medication audits taking place.
Inspectors said: “PRN ‘as required’ protocols were in place; however, records did not consistently demonstrate the effectiveness of PRN medicines following administration.
“The provider acknowledged this during the inspection and took action to strengthen recording practices and staff guidance.”
Staff were praised for their “good understanding of gaining consent and supporting people to make decisions about their care”.
The feedback from people, relatives and visitors given to the CQC inspectors was overwhelmingly positive about the quality of care.
Inspectors said: “People consistently described staff as kind, caring and respectful. One person told us, ‘The kindness they [staff] show me I don’t have to ask for.’”
Ami said: “What is particularly rewarding is the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our customers and their families.
“These comments mean a great deal to us. They reflect the genuine relationships our care professionals build with the people they support, treating everyone with dignity, kindness and respect, while helping them maintain their independence and enjoy life at home.”
People and their relatives told the CQC they felt safe with the staff who supported them.
The CQC said most of the feedback about the service was positive.
The report stated: “A small number of relatives noted some variations between carers, with one relative commenting, ‘Everyone is different. Some do more. Some people reported occasional late calls, however, feedback indicated staff generally communicated delays and ensured support was still provided.”
The director added: “Above all, this recognition is a credit to our dedicated care professionals and office team, who work tirelessly to deliver a service that local families can trust.
“Our focus remains on providing safe, compassionate and truly personalised care, helping people live happily and independently in the place they know and love: their own home.”