Verity Healthcare - Milton Keynes

Verity Healthcare – Milton Keynes is a domiciliary care service. People are supported in their own homes so that they can live as independently as possible. At the time of our inspection there were two people receiving personal care.

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.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

There were systems and processes in place to safeguard people from potential harm. Staff completed training about safeguarding people from harm and knew how to report abuse. Risks to people’s safety were assessed and strategies were put in place to reduce the risks.

There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people's needs safely. People were supported by regular staff who knew them and their needs well, which promoted continuity of care. The provider had followed their recruitment practices to ensure people employed were suitable to work at the service and support people.

At the time of our inspection the provider had not taken on the responsibility for administering people’s medicines. However, systems were in place and staff had been trained so they could support people with their medicines if it was required. People were kept safe from the spread of infection because staff consistently followed the providers infection control procedures.

People’s needs, and choices were fully assessed before they received a care package. Staff received an induction and ongoing training that enabled them to have the skills and knowledge to provide effective care.

Where the provider took on the responsibility, people were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their dietary needs. People were supported to live healthier lives and staff helped them to access healthcare services when required. We saw that the service worked closely with healthcare professionals to ensure good outcomes for people.

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.

Staff were kind and caring and provided people with warm, person-centred care. Staff understood people’s individual care needs and preferences and used this knowledge to provide people with good quality care.

People and their families were fully involved in the care planning and reviews of their care. The provider had a complaints procedure which was accessible to people using the service. There had not been any complaints received at the time of our inspection, but systems were in place to address and investigate complaints.

The service had good governance systems in place to ensure all aspects of the service and people’s care were continuously assessed and monitored. A range of audits were in place to monitor the quality and safety of service provision. Lessons were learned when things went wrong, and the provider was committed to the continuous improvement of the service.

The service was well-managed and well-led. Everyone we spoke with knew who the registered manager was and said they saw them regularly. They told us they were approachable and always available to talk.

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 CQC on 28 June 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection following registration.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.