11 August 2023
During a routine inspection
Anchusa Care provides personal care and support to older people living in their own homes both as live in care and domiciliary care visits. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. At the time of our inspection 140 people received personal care.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
People were at the centre of the care provided to them. Staff and people had formed positive relationships that helped achieve positive outcomes for them. People were treated as individuals who mattered to staff. The providers ethos of care supported staff to ensure people and their relatives were looked after in a kind and compassionate manner and treated with dignity and respect. The service had a strong, visible person-centred culture and was exceptional at helping people to live their lives to the fullest.
People and relatives were at the centre of decision making about their care. People and their relatives valued the relationships formed with staff and said this had a huge positive impact on theirs and their relatives’ lives.
People told us that they felt safe with staff. Staff understood risks to people's care and what they needed to do to reduce the risks of injuries to people. Staff had received training in how to safeguard people and what they needed to do if they suspected abuse. Before staff started work checks were undertaken to ensure that they were suitable. There were sufficient numbers of staff employed at the service and systems were in place to ensure there were no missed calls to people. People's medicines were managed in a safe way by staff. Staff followed best practice with regards to infection control.
Staff received a detailed induction before starting work. All staff spoken with said they felt supported, and continuous training supported them to deliver high quality care. Staff competencies were reviewed regularly through spot checks and meetings with their line manager.
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.
People were supported in line with their dietary needs. Staff monitored people's health and immediately referred to the relevant health professionals. Regular reviews were undertaken and any changes to people's needs were actioned by staff.
The provider had a clear and accessible complaints procedure. Some further development was required around end of life care.
Systems were in place which monitored the quality of people's support. The systems were responsive and had led to changes being made during this inspection. The provider was proactive with regard to how people's support could be improved following feedback regarding the quality of care records, call monitoring and consent. Every person, relative and staff member told us the provider was approachable, supportive and that they felt the service was well managed.
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was outstanding (report published 7 November 2017)
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection following a review of information we hold about the service.
The overall rating for the service has changed to Good based on the findings of this inspection.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Anchusa Care on our 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.