Background to this inspection
Updated
5 January 2023
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
We gave a short period notice of the inspection. This was because it is a domiciliary service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection. Inspection activity started on 7th September 2022 and ended on 29th November 2022. We visited the location’s office on Thursday 8th September 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection to help plan the inspection and inform our judgements. We sought feedback from Nottingham City's Adult Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Team and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.
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 7 people and 3 relatives of people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 6 staff members this included 2 carers, a care coordinator, a team leader, the registered manager and the regional manager.
We reviewed a range of records. This included 6 people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including staff training information, and policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
5 January 2023
About the service
Meridian Health and Social Care, Nottingham is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people living in their own homes supporting them to remain as independent as possible. The service provides support to people living with dementia, learning disabilities or autism, people with mental health needs, older people, physical disability and sensory impairment. The service provides care and support to 170 people, 114 people were reiving support with personal care.
At the time of the inspection, the location did not care for or support anyone with a learning disability or an autistic person. However, we assessed the care provision under Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture, as it is registered as a specialist service for this population group.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Records for medicines administration and governance and oversight arrangements were in place and completed. The provider's policy framework was up to date, comprehensive and was followed. Audits were completed regularly and any shortfalls identified were addressed and learning taken from this to continually improve the service.
Care plans and risk assessments were in place to help reduce risks and promote safe care for people.
Systems kept people safe from the risk of abuse and avoidable harm. Risks from infection transmission, including COVID-19, were assessed and actions in place to reduce risks.
Recruitment processes were followed to check staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Assessment processes helped to inform people's care plans and people using the service were involved in this. Advice and guidance from other health and social care professionals to help provide people with effective care were included in care plans. Staff were provided with training relevant to people's health and care needs. People were assisted with relevant nutritional support where this was part of their care.
People received care from friendly and caring staff. Staff understood how to promote people's independence and respect their privacy and dignity. People's equality and diversity needs were respected. People were listened to and involved in their care decisions.
People received personalised care and their choices were respected so they retained control over their lives. Staff knew the people they cared for and provided responsive care. People were supported with any communication needs they may have. Care was provided in a way that helped to reduce social isolation and
promoted people's relationships with others. People were able to provide feedback or raise complaints which were listened to and responded to.
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 15 August 2019)
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection as part of a random selection of services rated Good and Outstanding.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.