Premier Care Blackburn Branch

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

The recent introduction of a new management structure had resulted in improvements to the safe management of the service and people's care. Staff knew how to report incidents and safeguarding concerns; the manager monitored these and made sure lessons were learned and changes made to practice. The service utilised effective electronic systems so that staff had up to date information about people's care, and the manager could monitor the quality of care provided. The manager and senior staff undertook risk assessments regarding people and staff, and these were reviewed. Staff were recruited safely and the manager planned to recruit more staff to make sure rotas were consistent. The manager provided good induction and training so that staff had the right knowledge and skills to meet people's needs. Staff followed appropriate infection prevention and control policies. The service managed medicines safely, and conducted spot checks to check staff competency, and undertook medicine audits.

This service scored 62 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The manager had improved the incident recording process. Staff completed further training about how to identify and report concerns and incidents, and they felt confident about doing so. Managers monitored these via an electronic system and made sure any lessons were learned and changes made to improve practice.

People said that information was passed between services when they were first referred to the service via the local authority. The manager told us that sometimes more information was required and the service would request this to aid detailed assessments.

Partners confirmed that there were safe systems to ensure good continuity of care.

There were effective processes in place to make sure that care was delivered safely, and the manager made sure that information was communicated in a timely way to the right people.

Leaders had implemented robust processes so that safeguarding concerns were identified and referred to the local authority. Leaders made sure information was captured and that investigations were undertaken. Recommendations from investigations were implemented and monitored which kept people safe. Staff completed safeguarding training and knew what the process was to raise concerns.

There was an up to date safeguarding which was accessible to staff. The service worked alongside the local authority well to investigate and deal with safeguarding concerns.

There were effective processes to make sure that risk was assessed, monitored and managed. Managers assessed people's needs and risks, and reviewed these regularly. Staff accessed people's care plans via a handheld electronic device. People and their relatives could access their care plans via an app.

The manager conducted environmental risk assessments for every home that staff visited. Staff completed training in moving and handling, and training for specific moving and handling equipment. A person told us, "One thing I will say, I use a hoist to move and every carer that has ever been here has been trained well to use it correctly, that is a sign of a good training programme.” There were contingency plans in place in the event of poor internet access for staff to view care plans.

People told us that staff seemed to have completed relevant training and had the right skills to do their jobs. People were happy with the standard of their care. However, some people said they did not always have a consistent staff team, and sometimes staff did not stay for the right amount of time.

Staff confirmed they had completed a high number of training courses recently to complement their knowledge and skills. The manager provided thorough inductions and new staff had the opportunity to shadow more experienced staff until they were confident. The manager monitored staff performance.

We checked several staff recruitment files and found that staff were recruited using safe processes. Necessary safety checks such as references and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks were in place and up to date.

There was a relevant infection prevention and control policy in place which staff followed. Staff wore PPE and masks when required. People confirmed that staff followed good hygiene practices and washed their hands.

People told us staff managed their medicines safely. Some people managed their own medicines or relatives supported.

Staff completed medicines training and knew how to support people safely. Managers checked staff competencies regarding supporting people to take their medicines, and monitored staff performance.

There were effective processes to make sure medicines were managed safely. The manager completed spot checks during visits and completed medicine audits. Staff knew to report medicine errors and the manager followed up any issues with relatives, the GP or pharmacy. Staff signed to say they had supported people to take their medicines on an electronic recording system. Any issues or gaps were flagged to the management team who responded accordingly.