The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has again rated Mach Care Solutions (Birmingham), inadequate, and it remains in special measures following an inspection in May.
Mach Care Solutions Birmingham is a domiciliary care service in Acocks Green, Birmingham, that provides personal care to people living in their own homes.
The inspection was carried out to check on areas of concern that were highlighted at the last inspection.
Following the inspection, the overall rating for the service remains as inadequate overall. Safe and well-led remain as inadequate, and effective, caring and responsive remain requires improvement.
The service remains in special measures which means it will be kept under review and, if CQC do not propose to cancel the provider's registration, there will be a re-inspection within six months to check for significant improvements.
Sonia Brooks, CQC deputy director of operations in the midlands, said:
“When we inspected Mach Care Solutions, it was concerning to see that some areas where we told leaders to improve last year still hadn’t been actioned which continued to place people at risk of harm, especially in relation to how much time carers spent with people.
“Although some improvement had been made in this area, people continued to receive calls that were either late or too short in duration for their needs to be met. One person who required a 30 minute call received a visit for only four minutes which is unacceptable.
“At the last inspection, we were concerned that care records were poorly managed, with some containing conflicting or inconsistent information which placed people at risk of not receiving their medicines or having their conditions managed properly. This continued to be the case and leaders must focus their attention on improving this area as a priority.
“Staff didn’t always give people food or fluids that were appropriate because care plans weren’t filled in with this information. For example some people at risk of chocking weren’t being fed appropriate thickened fluids.
“However, we did see some improved areas of care. People and their relatives told us they were now involved in decision making and helped create their own care plans to meet their needs and wishes. Staff also now sought consent prior to supporting them and encouraged people to make their own decisions in the least restrictive way.
“We will continue to monitor the service closely to ensure significant and urgent improvements are made. If we are not assured people are receiving safe care, we will not hesitate to take further enforcement action to ensure people are receiving the high standard of care they deserve.”
Inspectors found:
- The provider's oversight of the service had not identified some of the shortfalls found during the inspection process as part of their audits and checks
- Care plans continued to lack information and guidance for staff to follow and some had not been reviewed and updated
- The management of medicines still required improvement. Guidance in place was not clear for staff to follow
- Some people's care plans contained conflicting information to guide staff with appropriate support for people with nutritional and hydration needs
- Pre-employment checks were not always carried out to make sure newly recruited office support staff were suitable to carry out their role, prior to them commencing work.
However:
- The provider and staff were more consistent in their approach in working in partnership with people’s relatives and health and social care professionals
- Staff effectively followed infection and prevention control measures on each visit
- Staff felt able to raise any concerns or worries they may have and were confident issues raised with management would be investigated and acted on.