Background to this inspection
Updated
13 April 2021
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check on specific concerns we had about the infection prevention and control measures the service had in place to keep people safe. This was so we could understand the preparedness of the service in preventing and managing COVID-19.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of community care service.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes.
The service had a manager registered with the CQC. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection because we needed to be sure the office-based managers and staff would be available to support our inspection. Inspection activity started on 18/03/2021 and ended on 19/03/2021. We visited the providers offices on 18/03/2021.
What we did before the inspection
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. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
We made telephone or email contact with two people who received personal care from the service, 10 relatives, and six care staff.
During the inspection
We spoke in-person with three office-based managers including, the registered manager, the human resources manager and the nurse case manager.
In addition, we looked at a range of records. This included three people’s care plans, multiple staff records in relating to their training and other records relating to the providers management and governance of infection control.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We requested the provider send us additional evidence after our inspection in relation to people’s risk assessments, their risk assessment policy and personal protective equipment (PPE) monitoring records.
Updated
13 April 2021
About the service
Rainbow Medical Services Ltd is a domiciliary care agency. At the time of our inspection they were providing personal care and support to 36 adults who lived at home. Most people using the service had a range of complex health care needs. Two people received 24-hour care from live-in staff.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were satisfied with the standard of care and support they received from this home care agency. This quote we received from a relative summed up how most people now felt about Rainbow Medical Services Ltd, “We had a few problems in the beginning with lots of different carers turning up, sometimes late or not at all, but since [name of registered manager] has been in charge these issues have ceased.”
People were supported by staff who knew how to prevent and manage risks they might face and keep them safe from avoidable harm. People received continuity of care and support from staff who were familiar with their complex health care needs, wishes and daily routines. Staff were also punctual and the introduction of a 24 hour on call rapid response team helped reduce the risk of staff missing a scheduled visit. New staff continued to undergo all the relevant pre-employment checks to ensure their suitability and fitness for the role. People received their medicines as prescribed. The provider had effective systems in place to assess and respond to risks regarding infection prevention and control, including those associated with Covid-19.
People, their relatives and staff all spoke positively about the way this home care agency was now managed. Since our last inspection the service had appointed a suitably fit, experienced and competent person to manage Rainbow Medical Services Ltd. They recently registered with us in February 2020. The provider’s governance systems were effectively operated, ensuring the quality and safety of the home care service people received was routinely monitored and assessed. The provider also continued to consult people, their relatives and staff as part of their on-going programme of improving the service they provided. The provider worked in close partnership with other health and social care professionals and agencies to plan and deliver positive outcomes for people using the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update.
The last rating for this service was good (published 10 October 2017). This report only covers our findings in relation to the key questions; Is the service safe and well-led?
Why we inspected
We had specific concerns about the way the service was managed in the past because they did not have a suitably competent person registered with us and there were issues with staff sometimes not arriving on time for their scheduled visits. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions safe and well-led only.
We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.